Millions Warned of Evacuation Threat From Volcanic Eruption

Millions of people in Central Mexico were warned this week to prepare for potential evacuation from their homes as activity from a volcano sometimes called one of the world's "most dangerous" continues to increase. 

Over the weekend, the Mexican National Coordination for Civil Protection raised its threat to Yellow Phase 3, advising millions of people in the towns surrounding the Popocatépetl Volcano to prepare for a possible evacuation. Additionally, people have been urged not to travel within a 7.5 mile radius of the volcano. 

The next level, Red Phase 1, would require a mandatory evacuation, although authorities currently do not believe that will be necessary. 

Conoce el mapa de peligros del #Volcán #Popocatépetl, el cual te muestra:

🛣 Rutas de #Evacuación
🏘 Zonas expuestas
🔥 Escenarios de caída de #ceniza, #lava y fragmentos balísticos

Consúltalo aquí: https://t.co/SyfR03RIXq pic.twitter.com/CH2HLIwByD

— Coordinación Nacional de Protección Civil (@CNPC_MX) May 23, 2023

The volcano poses such a risk because it lies in a densely populated region, with around 25 million people living within 60 miles of its base. It sits close to Puebla, Mexico's fifth-largest city, and poses an ash threat to Mexico City, the country's capital and largest city. 

Así amanece hoy el volcán #Popocatépetl.

Vista San Nicolás de los Ranchos #Puebla vía @jabed1

Para ver en tiempo real: https://t.co/4yt8RjRzbm

GIF pic.twitter.com/AArabpESCH

— Webcams de México (@webcamsdemexico) May 22, 2023

The volcanic eruption has already disrupted daily life in the region. It caused a temporary shutdown at Benito Juárez International Airport in Mexico City over the weekend, and has canceled classes in dozens of municipalities across the states of Puebla, Mexico, and Tlaxcala. Hermanos Serdán International Airport in Puebla halted flights on Monday. Residents near the volcano are also being advised to stay indoors as much as possible and cover water containers to avoid ash contamination.

Volcanic ash from Popocatepetl was swept from the roof of a shopping mall in Puebla, Mexico. pic.twitter.com/l1xm5Mxxdr

— Storyful Viral (@StoryfulViral) May 23, 2023

The volcano began erupting in the 1990s after decades of dormancy, and has remained a threat ever since. Since May 15, scientists have recorded tremors, explosions, and expressions of gas and lava. Ash fall has been seen in the region, with videos of people cleaning it off cars, sidewalks, and even the roof of a shopping mall surfacing on social media. 

For now, residents and tourists alike are being urged to stay alert and be prepared to evacuate should the situation escalate further. Scientists have urged calm, noting that the situation is not unique in the volcano's recent history and that it's likely to stabilize, albeit at a high level of activity and ash emission. Activity has not yet surpassed a period of time in the early 2000s when around 40,000 people were evacuated from the mountain's vicinity.

You can find more information via the Mexican National Center for Disaster and the Mexican National Coordination for Civil Protection.

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