Mexican scientific authorities report that The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Yellow Phase 2This level implies heightened vigilance and clear recommendations for the population living in areas near the volcano. Although the situation is not extraordinary in the context of the volcano's usual activity, it does require continued vigilance and close monitoring of official reports.
23 exhalations in 24 hours and continuous emission of gases
According to the record of the last 24 hours, the monitoring systems of the National Center for Disaster Prevention (Cenapred) and the National Autonomous University of Mexico have identified 23 exhalations accompanied by water vapor, volcanic gases and, occasionally, small amounts of ashThis type of episode fits with the expected behavior for the current alert phase.
During the morning and at the time of the official report, the specialists observed a continuous column of steam and gases The ash cloud was dispersing to the north-northeast (NNE), pushed by the prevailing winds. The presence of ash has been intermittent and, for now, has had limited effects on the nearest towns.
The Morelos State Civil Protection Coordination, in line with the reports from Cenapred, has confirmed the same 23 exhalations with emission of steam, gases and light ash, emphasizing that the dynamics of the volcano remain within the parameters expected for this risk scenario.
In recent months, Popocatépetl has shown consistent behavior, characterized by frequent exhalations, visible fumaroles, and low-intensity explosionsThis pattern, called "open conduit," means that magma and gases find a relatively stable escape route, reducing for now the probability of a sudden, large-scale eruption.
What does it mean when the traffic light is at Yellow Phase 2?
The Volcanic Alert System is the official tool Used by Cenapred and UNAM to communicate the level of risk associated with Popocatépetl's activity. It works with three colors—green, yellow, and red—divided into several phases that mark everything from normal conditions to scenarios of a major eruption and possible evacuations.
The color yellow is located in the intermediate section, which indicates a notable increase in activity Regarding the calm situation. Within this level, Phase 2 indicates that the volcano presents sporadic explosions, continuous column of steam and gasLight to moderate ashfall in nearby towns and ejection of incandescent fragments around the crater.
For Phase 2, specialists are also considering the possibility appearance of short-range pyroclastic flowsThese are associated with more energetic explosions but, in principle, do not have the capacity to reach populated areas if the safety radius is respected. In addition, the risk of mud and debris flows (lahars) when the ash accumulated on the slopes mixes with heavy rains.
The color red, reserved for the most severe scenarios, is only activated when it is detected explosive activity of intermediate to extreme scaleeruptive columns reaching tens of kilometers in height and potentially direct impacts on nearby cities and even more distant regions. At that point, mass evacuations and widespread damage to the surrounding area are anticipated.
Recommendations for the public and Civil Protection measures
Given the current situation, Cenapred has been emphatic: You should not attempt to climb the volcanoWithin a 12-kilometer radius of the crater, there is a risk of falling incandescent ballistic fragments, which can reach high speeds and become a serious danger to anyone in the area.
Authorities are urging strict compliance the 12 km exclusion zone and avoid any recreational activity in the immediate vicinity of the volcanic cone. Being within that safety zone is not considered acceptable from a risk standpoint, even if the activity appears to be "moderate".
Another aspect that is particularly worrying is the behavior of the volcano during episodes of heavy rain or intense downpoursIn these circumstances, it is recommended to stay away from the bottom of ravines and natural watercourses, as the mixture of water with ash and rocks can lead to mud and debris flows that descend at high speed down the slopes.
In case of ashfall on inhabited areas, Civil Protection advises limit outdoor activities as much as possibleClose doors and windows, protect water tanks and containers, and use a mask or scarf, as well as suitable glasses, to avoid irritation to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
Mexican institutions also emphasize the importance of Ignore rumors and misinformationTo learn about the volcano's real evolution and possible measures to take, it is recommended to consult only official channels, such as the website of the Government of Mexico (www.gob.mx/cenapred) and the verified accounts of the National Coordination of Civil Protection (@CNPC_MX on the social network X, formerly Twitter).
In case of any incident related to the activity of Popocatépetl, the population has access to emergency telephone numbers. 800-713-4147 and 911which channel alerts and allow for a coordinated rapid response from protection and rescue services.
How Popocatépetl is monitored: technology and science at the service of safety
Popocatépetl's activity is controlled by a comprehensive monitoring network Managed by Cenapred in collaboration with UNAM, this network combines seismic instrumentation, surveillance cameras, and advanced gas measurement systems to provide the most complete picture possible of the volcano's internal and external state.
The seismographs Installed around the volcano, these sensors accurately record the tremors and vibrations originating within it. Changes in the frequency, location, or magnitude of these events can indicate variations in magma pressure or rock fracturing, helping to... anticipate phases of greater eruptive activity.
Along with the seismic sensors, a network of visual and thermal cameras It continuously monitors the upper part of the volcano. These cameras allow for the immediate detection of new fumaroles, the emission of incandescent material, or temperature changes in the crater and on the slopes—key elements for adjusting risk forecasts.
The analysis of the volcanic gases It is another fundamental part of the system. Spectrometers and other specialized equipment are used to measure the amounts of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and other compounds released by the volcano. A rapid increase in the emission of these gases is usually interpreted as a sign that the magma is closer to the surface.
The combination of all this data—seismic, visual, thermal, and chemical—allows experts to update the Volcanic Alert Level and issue recommendations to the authorities and the public, always with the aim of minimizing risks to people and infrastructure.
Recent background of the volcano's activity
In recent decades, Popocatépetl has shown a recurring but controlled activitywith notable incidents that have served to strengthen safety protocols and improve surveillance systems. One of the most striking moments occurred on December 25, 2005, when an explosion generated a column of ash and smoke several kilometers high and ejected lava from the crater.
In subsequent years, the following have been recorded multiple moderate explosions and ashfall over nearby populations, especially in the periods of 2011 and 2012, without far-reaching structural damage but with specific impacts on air quality and the daily lives of the inhabitants of the region.
Other episodes, such as eruptions with ash columns several kilometers high and the ejection of incandescent fragments hundreds of meters from the crater, have reinforced the idea that the volcano is in an active state that requires constant attentionThis situation has led to the alert being kept regularly at intermediate levels, such as the current Yellow Phase 2.
During the last few months, technical reports have indicated days with dozens of exhalations in a few hoursThese events were accompanied by volcanic tremor and continuous emissions of steam and ash. Despite this activity, experts have not deemed it necessary to raise the alert level to more advanced phases, as no drastic structural changes have been detected in the behavior of the volcanic system.
An active volcano laden with cultural symbolism
Beyond the scientific data, Popocatépetl occupies a very special place in the collective memory and cultural identity of Mexico. Popularly known as «Don Goyo«, appears in countless traditional tales, legends and artistic representations, which makes each episode of activity also have a symbolic and emotional echo.
One of the best-known stories is the legend of Popocatépetl and IztaccíhuatlThe story tells of the tragic love between a young warrior and a princess. According to the tale, collected by institutions such as the National Institute of Anthropology and History, the warrior went off to war with the promise to return and marry his beloved, but false news of his death caused the princess's profound grief.
When the warrior returned victorious and discovered what had happened, he carried Iztaccíhuatl's body to the top of a mountain and She swore to watch over her forever.Tradition says that she transformed into the mountain known as "The Sleeping Woman," while he became the neighboring volcano, always on guard, with its fumarole burning like an eternal torch.
This mixture of myth, geography and volcanic reality This makes each Cenapred report on Don Goyo not just a technical report, but also a news item closely followed by millions of people, from the local population to those who observe volcanic activity from other countries, including the European sphere, where the monitoring of systems like Etna or Vesuvius offers clear parallels with the Mexican case.
In the current context, Popocatépetl remains a Active volcano, intensely monitored and full of meaningwhose evolution will continue to be analyzed in detail by the scientific community and civil protection authorities, while the population remains attentive to any changes in the traffic light system and official instructions that allow us to live with this giant as safely as possible.