Written in SCIENCE he
The Popocatépetl volcano activity It should not be taken lightly, in the last 24 hours the colossus emitted 10 exhalations, two explosions, 1,066 minutes of tremors and a volcanotectonic earthquake; However, these are not the only phenomena that alert scientists and specialists, since the authorities presume the formation of a structure known as “lava dome” in the volcano.
Should the formation of this dome alarm us? Although the authorities have requested caution and avoid alarmism, it is a reality that when the Volcanic Alert Traffic Light in Yellow Phase 3it is essential for the population to maintain their precautions and abide by the safety instructions, according to information from the National Center for Disaster Prevention (dinnerpred), at this stage the “rapid growth of large domes and their destruction in strong explosions” is encouraged.
In addition, the department explained that lava domes They are formed in the upper part of the volcano and occur after an effusive eruption in which lava accumulates, which solidifies upon contact with air and builds up pressure by not letting gases out.
When the pressure exceeds the limit, an explosion is generated that breaks the dome and sends incandescent fragments to the slopes of the volcano. Currently in Popocatépetl more than 80 domes have been formed and destroyed.
Will there be more explosions from the domes?
As has been observed on other occasions, since there is a dome on the volcano, this would produce more explosions, but there are considerations that must be taken into account, such as the size of the dome, and characteristics, for which reason the General Director of Civil Protection, Oscar Cepeda and authorities of Puebla They requested visual confirmation of the dome to know its magnitude.
“Based on the dimensions of this dome, parallels can be established with other events that the volcano has had in order to determine this phase,” the official said.
What precautions should I follow?
He dinnerpred He emphasized the recommendation not to ascend to the volcano’s crater, as there is the possibility of explosions, for which reason he insists on respecting the 12 km exclusion radius.
He also recalled that once the emergency is declared, the authorities will decide and notify which areas will be evacuated, in case of being one of the families that has to leave the place, the doors and windows of the house must be closed, placing a white sheet in front to verify that it is a evacuated zone.