Volcano erupts in Mexico
Mexico’s Popocatepetl volcano shot out hot rocks and a towering cloud of ash today, but officials held back from ordering evacuation of nearby towns.
The two-minute eruption sent hot rocks about a half mile from the crater, according to the National Centre for the Prevention of Disasters, which monitors the volcano some 40 miles southeast of Mexico City.
A column of ash boiled up from the crater, reaching a height of 1.5 miles above the 17,886 ft (5,452m) volcano.
Local officials continued to restrict access to the villages closest to the eruption, but said no new evacuations were necessary.
The volcano also spat out a column of ash about a half mile high late Monday night, along with some glowing rocks.
