Popocatépetl Volcano: Mexico’s Active Stratovolcano

Context 

The Popocatépetl volcano has been spewing thick plumes of volcanic ash into the sky outside Mexico.

Exploring Popocatépetl: Mexico’s Iconic Smoking Mountain

• Origin: Popocatépetl — which means “smoking mountain” in the Aztec Nahuatl language — is located in central Mexico roughly 45 miles (72 kilometers) southeast of Mexico City. 
• Location: It lies on the border between the states of Puebla and Morelos.
• Elevation: The summit of Popocatepetl stands at an elevation of about 5,426 meters above sea level, making it the second-highest peak in Mexico after Citlaltepetl (Pico de Orizaba).

Popocatépetl: Mexico’s Active Stratovolcano and Its Explosive History

• Type of Volcano: Popocatepetl is a stratovolcano (composite volcano) characterized by its steep, conical shape built up by successive layers of volcanic ash, lava flows, and pyroclastic materials.
• Active Volcano: It is one of Mexico’s most active volcanoes, with documented eruptions dating back to the 14th century.
• History of Eruptions: In the modern era, significant eruptions have occurred in 1947, 1994, 2000, 2005, and ongoing activity since 2013.
• Type of Eruption: The volcano’s eruptions are primarily andesitic to dacitic in composition, characterized by the eruption of viscous lava flows and explosive eruptions producing ash clouds, pyroclastic flows, and lahars (mudflows).

News Source: Livemint