This is the moment an ash column shoots out of the Popocatepetl volcano crater just as it is being filmed from the sky.
Explosions have been registered on the Popocatepetl volcano in recent days The volcano is located in central Mexico and the emissions of ash have destroyed its dome, according to the National Centre of Disaster Prevention and the National Coordination of Civil Protection.
Video Credit: CEN/@SSPCMexico
A reconnaissance vehicle was sent to check the crater of the volcano. The operation was carried out with the cooperation of the National Guard and it has confirmed the destruction of the dome. Footage shot from the aerial vehicle shows the top of the volcano when suddenly a huge plume of ash billows from the crater.
The authorities confirmed that the internal crater is still the same size and they added: “The process of formation of domes in Popocatepetl has caused the magma to increase so that after arriving at the end of the crater it accumulates creating a lava body in the form of a cupola (rounded dome).
“When the lava starts to get colder and crystalise, it accumulates pressure until it is destroyed in one or several explosions, throwing fragments inside and outside the crater, leaving the area open which allows the magma to be able to rise again.”
A volcanic dome is a circular mound resulting from the slow eruption of lava from a volcano.
This kind of activity has been characteristic of the volcano during the current eruptive period, which began in 1994. The authorities have issued a level Yellow Phase two of the traffic Volcanic Alert, recommending people not to enter the 12-kilometre safety area around the volcano because of the risk of falling fragments.
The Government of Morelos said 290 exhalations of water vapour, gas and small amounts of ash had been identified in the last 24 hours.
Five small explosions were registered on Saturday and on Sunday another explosion was registered.
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Story By: Ana Lacasa, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News
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