Popocatepetl Volcano in Mexico erupted last night. Several earthquakes occurred lasting 27 minutes around the volcano, which spews lava and ash, Mexico’s National Center for Disaster Prevention (Cenapred) announced.
Authorities warned citizens not to approach the volcano, and especially the crater, due to the fragments falling. Furthermore, it was reported that due to the volcanic gas and ash ejected from the volcano during the eruption, residents were advised to use masks and keep their doors and windows shut as the volcanic gas and ash moved towards the Mexican states of Puebla and Morelos.
With a height of 5,452 meters, Popocatepetl is the second largest volcano in North America. Its name comes from the Aztec language Nahuatl, which means “the mountain that makes smoke.” Popocatepetl is 16 kilometers north of its twin, Iztaccihuatl Volcano, with a crater 900 meters in diameter and 150 meters in depth.