Popocatépetl Volcano January 31st 2016 Updates
January 31 11:00 h (January 31 17:00 GMT)
In the last 24 hours the seismic records of the surveillance system at Popocatépetl volcano registered on the one hand 36 low-intensity exhalations with slight amounts of ash (image 1). Also were recorded 3 explosions, yesterday at 15:28 h and today at 02:39 and 07:56 h (image 2), (image 3). The cloudy conditions not allow observing a weak emission of steam and gas that winds carried easterly. Also the monitoring system has recorded harmonic tremor with 1 minute.
Along some lapses of the night was observed slight incandescence, increasing with main exhalations (image 4).
From dawn and up to the time of this report it has been noticed a faint but not stopping emission of steam and gas that winds blow about east and an exhalation with slight amounts of ash to the same direction (image 5).
CENAPRED emphasizes that people SHOULD NOT go near the volcano, especially near the crater, due to the hazard caused by ballistic fragments (image 6).
This type of activity is included within the scenarios Volcanic Traffic Light Yellow Phase 2.
The scenarios foreseen for this phase are:
1. Explosive activity of low to intermediate level.
2. Ash fall in nearby towns.
3. Possibility of short range pyroclastic flows and mudflows .
Special emphasis is placed on the following recommendations:
1. Continue the safety radius of 12 km, so staying in that area is not allowed.
2. Keep the controlled traffic between Santiago Xalitzintla and San Pedro Nexapa through Paso de Cortés.
3. Civil Protection authorities, keep your preventive procedures, in accordance with their operational plans.
4. People, be alert to the official information disseminated.
In case of ashfall, address the following recommendations:
• Cover nose and mouth with a wet handkerchief or face mask.
• Clean eyes and throat with pure water.
• Avoid contact lenses to reduce eye irritation.
• Close windows or cover them up, and stay indoors as much as possible.
Popocatepetl Volcano monitoring is performed continuously 24 hours a day. Any change in activity will be reported in due course.
JCJ