Popocatepetl, also known as Don Goyo is a active volcano in Mexico. At an altitude of 5400 meters, it is the second highest volcano in Mexico.
Today we know what Popocatepetl is like, its history and the most important eruptions that he has had
Popocatepetl or Don Goyo
Popocatepetl is a volcano symmetrical conical shape and is second only to Citlalpépero volcano, the highest in Mexico. That volcano had permanent glaciers near the mouth of the cone. To the north, it joins Iztaccíhuatl, which is also a significant volcano in the region, known for its own volcanic activity and its fascinating history.
The name Popocatepetl comes from the Nahuatl words: “Popoca” and “tepetl” which means “smoke” and “mountain” so the name is: smoking mountain
Geology has allowed us to study the volcano and establish that it is approximately about 730.000 years.
History of Popocatépetl
To learn about the history of the volcano, excavations have been carried out on its slopes that have determined that there were human populations living under it since 800 BC. cThis human occupation would be interrupted on several occasions due to eruptions. The last of these eruptions was around 700-800 AD. This is why a layer of pumice stone around the volcano of about 2 meters of thickness.
Since 1354, some of its eruptions have been recorded, which until now would be a total of eighteen eruptions. In 1519, the first ascent to the volcano (first documented ascent) by Diego de Ordás with the arrival of the Spanish is documented.
In 1927 it had one of its great eruptions followed by a period of rest until the next eruption in 1994, the gas and ash were transported through the air up to 25 km away from the volcano. For more information on other volcanoes, you can consult the article on The most active volcanoes in the world.
Volcano news
Since that last major eruption, moderate but constant activity has been maintained, suddenly emitting fumaroles (gases and water vapor), also emissions of ash and volcanic material.
Su last violent eruption was recorded in December 2000, something that was foreseen and therefore everyone could be evacuated. In 2005 it had another eruption with smoke, ash and lava. He followed his usual fumarole routine, and has even made the earth shake on more than one occasion.
Since 2012, there has been warning of the great activity that the volcano has been presenting, although without apparent danger. However, it raised the volcanic alert from yellow phase 2 to yellow 3 and returned to phase 2.
In 2013, the alert was raised again due to increased activity, with explosions, tremors, and exhalations. However, it would return to alert level 2. It has continued with activity and alerts from that time until now, for example, on January 22, 2019 launched incandescent material and ash and an explosion that could be felt in surrounding areas.
Currently, the National Civil Protection Coordination reports that Popocatépetl is or remains at the phase 2 yellow alert level, and that the activity it presents is not a risk for the population. Right now, February 28, 2024, the volcano has been intensely active for hours, 77 exhalations composed mostly of water vapor, 952 minutes of tremor due to the movement of magma within the crater, and even a volcanotectonic earthquake of magnitude 1.2. All this leads to an increase in surveillance of the volcano right now.
The The effects of the volcano's activity are also evident in the adjacent areas. such as Morelos, Tlaxcala, Hidalgo, the State of Mexico, and parts of Mexico City. Volcanic ash can reach all of them. To better understand the context of these areas, it is important to know some protected natural areas of Mexico.
Knowing if it is going to erupt exactly is very difficult. Experts know a lot about the volcano but they cannot advance that far in their predictions.
What would happen if it erupted?
An eruption of Popocatépetl, no matter how low, would be enough for his surroundings to be immersed in tragedy. The vegetation would be affected as well as the fauna and the imbalance that entails. Agriculture would also be seriously damaged and entire crops would be lost. There are many families around the volcano that need agriculture to survive.
Those Nearby thermal and medicinal water centers (Morelos state) would be affected due to chemical contamination of the volcano. But also, the population should leave to the cities with what this entails.
To always be alert Citizens are recommended to always be aware of the warning traffic light volcanic. Evacuation routes are designed in case they are necessary.
The population is accustomed to the continuous activity of the volcano and coexists with it, therefore windows, roofs and doors of the houses are prepared to prevent ash from leaking. Drinking water tanks and ponds are covered.
There was a man-made eruption
In the last century, human action caused the volcano to erupt. The interests were commercial and greed. In 1919 that eruption would mark a precedent in geology since it was the result of the human hand that wanted to extract sulfur. It was an artificial phenomenon, which of course is worth studying according to some experts such as Doctor Atl.
