One of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world has begun to spew toxic plumes of ash, gas and smoke. The Popocatépetl volcano, located less than 45 miles from Mexico City, places everyone within a 60-mile radius—some 25 million people—in danger should i
Ash and smoke billow from the Popocatépetl volcano as seen from the Santiago Xalitzintla community, state of Puebla, Mexico, on May 25, 2023.
An evacuation route sign is seen in Santiago Xalitzintla, Puebla state, Mexico, on May 25, 2023.
The Popocatépetl volcano erupts lava, ash and steam, seen from from Santiago Xalitzintla, Mexico, on May 25, 2023.
Nefi de Aquino, who works as a police officer and is also paid to keep an eye on the activity of the Popocatépetl volcano, speaks on his radio in Santiago Xalitzintla, Mexico, on May 25, 2023. De Aquino has been observing and reporting on the volcano’s activity since it started erupting again in 1994.
Jose Marcos de Olarte walks his mule to plant corn on his land near the Popocatépetl volcano that spews ash and steam, in Santiago Xalitzintla, Mexico, on May 25, 2023.
Incandescent materials, ash and smoke are spewed from the Popocatépetl volcano as seen from the Santiago Xalitzintla community, state of Puebla, Mexico, on May 25, 2023.
Mexican soldiers patrol the streets in Santiago Xalitzintla, Puebla state, Mexico, on May 25, 2023.
Ash and smoke billow from the Popocatepetl volcano as seen from the Santiago Xalitzintla community, state of Puebla, Mexico, on May 24, 2023. The Popocatépetl volcano, located around about 45 miles from Mexico City, spewed more gas and ash into the sky on May 23 as authorities maintained their warning level at one step below red alert. The government is monitoring Popocatepetl “day and night,” President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said after the volcano put on another fiery show overnight.
A woman sweeps ash spewed by the Popocatepetl volcano, in the Santiago Xalitzintla community, state of Puebla, Mexico, on May 24, 2023.
Ash and smoke billow from the Popocatépetl volcano as seen from the Santiago Xalitzintla community, state of Puebla, Mexico, on May 24, 2023.
Mexican soldiers sweep the ashes from the streets in the village of Santiago Xalitzintla in Puebla state, Mexico, on May 23, 2023.
Popocatépetl volcano spews incandescent material as seen from Paso de Cortés on May 23, 2023, in Amecameca, Mexico. The second highest volcano in the country increased its activity while Mexican authorities raised the alert to yellow phase three. Popocatépetl volcano caused the fall of ashes in different municipalities in Puebla, Estado de Mexico and Mexico City. The Mexican army has spread its forces as a preventive measure while the three levels of government are in coordination to observe the activity of the volcano and the situation in the surroundings.
View of a car covered with ashes from the Popocatépetl volcano in the village of Santiago Xalitzintla in Puebla state, Mexico, on May 23, 2023.
Residents line up to receive a protection kit in case of ash fall in the village of Santiago Xalitzintla in Puebla state, Mexico, on May 23, 2023, following an increase in the activity of the Popocatépetl volcano.
Mexican soldiers sweep the ashes from the streets in the village of Santiago Xalitzintla in Puebla state, Mexico, on May 23, 2023. Mexican authorities on May 21 raised the warning level for the Popocatépetl volcano to one step below red alert, as smoke, ash, and molten rock spewed into the sky posing risks to aviation and far-flung communities below.
Women stand on an ash-covered street from the Popocatepetl volcano in Santiago Xalitzintla, Mexico, on May 22, 2023. The volcano’s activity has increased over the past week. Evacuations have not been ordered, but authorities are preparing for that scenario and telling people to stay out of 7.5-mile radius around the peak.
Incandescent materials, ash and smoke are spewed from the Popocatépetl volcano as seen from the Santiago Xalitzintla community, state of Puebla, Mexico, on May 22, 2023. Mexican authorities on May 21 raised the warning level for the Popocatépetl volcano to one step below red alert, as smoke, ash and molten rock spewed into the sky posing risks to aviation and far-flung communities below. Sunday’s increased alert level—to “yellow phase three”—comes a day after two Mexico City airports temporarily halted operations due to falling ash.
A man rides a motorcycle through a street covered in ash from the Popocatépetl volcano in Atlixco, Mexico, on May 22, 2023. The volcano’s activity has increased over the past week. Evacuations have not been ordered, but authorities are preparing for that scenario and telling people to stay out of 7.5-mile (12-kilometer) radius around the peak.
