Perilous
Times
Mexico's Popocatepetl volcano Erupts blasting towers of ash,
steam and debris
Large plumes of ash, stem and debris rise from the Popocatepetl
volcano as seen from the highway to Atlixco, Mexico early Friday
June 3, 2011. The 17,886-foot (5,450-meter) mountain shot a blast
of ash about 2 miles (3 kilometers) above its crater but there is
no report of threat to populated areas. (AP Photo)
MEXICO CITY — The Popocatepetl volcano that towers over Mexico
City began rumbling again Friday, shooting blasts of ash, stem and debris about 2 miles (3 kilometers)
above its crater at dawn.
The ash clouds drifted first to the west and then turned back east
toward the city of Puebla, Mexico's national disaster prevention
agency said.
The 17,886-foot (5,450-meter) mountain shook for several minutes
before the ash burst out.
The agency urged people to stay at least 7 miles (12 kilometers)
from the crater, which is about 40 miles (65 kilometers) southeast
of Mexico's capital.
Puebla state civil defense Director Jesus Morales told a local
television station that the cloud "has a high ash content, but it
doesn't represent a risk."
"A little ash could fall in Puebla city," he said.
Both Morales and federal civil defense coordinator Laura Gurza
warned residents in the region that they shouldn't wet down any
ash that falls before sweeping it away.