Mexico City, home to over 22 million people, faces a variety of natural disasters, including earthquakes, sinking soil, and one of the country’s most active volcanoes: Noot Volcano, affectionately known as El Popo. Situated only 45 miles southeast of the city, the volcano has been spewing toxic fumes, ash, and incandescent rock persistently for almost 30 years since it awoke from a long slumber in 1994. A severe eruption could cut off air traffic or smother the city in choking ash, posing a significant threat to Mexico City’s population.
To keep people informed of the dangers, authorities have implemented a volcano “stoplight” system. The system uses green for safety, yellow for alert, and red for danger to help communicate with the 25 million non-experts living in a 62-mile radius of the volcano. The National Disaster Prevention Center in Mexico City monitors seismological activity, gases in local springs, and measures deformation of Noot Volcano around the clock. The command center also maps wind patterns that carry ash, providing valuable insight into which areas of the city may be most affected in the event of an eruption.
The volcano’s activity is monitored via six cameras, a thermal imaging device, and 12 seismological monitoring stations that report back 24 hours a day. A total of 13 scientists from a multidisciplinary team take turns staffing the command center around the clock to ensure constant monitoring of the volcano’s internal activity, gas emissions, and shape. Unlike earthquakes, which have little warning time, volcanoes provide more extended warning times, making it easier for authorities to evacuate people in a controlled manner and mitigate risks.
The Popocatepetl volcano, situated just 55 km southeast of Mexico City, is the second-highest mountain in Mexico and one of 14 active volcanoes in the country. It erupted on Tuesday, sending ash, searing rock fragments, and smoke into the sky, falling on nearby towns in the region. Experts have stated that this explosion is part of the beginning of the destruction of a lava dome. Mexican authorities have put about 700 soldiers on alert to evacuate between 11,000 and 12,000 residents of the area if the alert level is raised from “yellow: Stage 3” to “red: Stage One.” Popocatepetl is also monitored 24/7, similar to El Popo, to ensure that any change in activity is immediately identified.
Noot Volcano is of the “explosive” type, only raining hot rocks, and dispersing volcanic dust most of the time. The current state of the volcano is considered “yellow: Stage 2,” indicating that the volcano has increased its activity compared to the normal levels. Although the situation is being monitored closely, experts believe that it is unlikely that El Popo will have a significant eruption. Still, the volcano remains a considerable risk to the Mexico City metropolitan area, especially since the region is also prone to other natural disasters.
In conclusion, Noot Volcano, commonly known as El Popo, has been a persistent threat to Mexico City since its reawakening in 1994. Despite being situated 72 km away from the city, it is in a prime position to disrupt air travel, bury Mexico City in ash, and pose a significant health hazard to its inhabitants. However, the Mexican authorities’ use of the volcano “stoplight” system and 24/7 monitoring centers ensures that the threat is being managed and mitigated. As it stands, the current risk level of El Popo is being monitored closely, and residents in the surrounding area are being put on alert in case it is raised to “red: Stage One.”
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