|
MEXICO CITY (AP)--The Popocatepetl volcano experienced a moderate
explosion that was heard for miles around Sunday, belching
a column of ash more than a mile high.
The
one-minute explosion, which happened at 8:19 a.m., may have
launched some red-hot rocks for a small radius near the
17,886-foot volcano, and some light ash fall was reported
in the nearby town of San Pedro Benito Juarez, Mexico's
National Center for Prevention of Disasters said on its
Web site.
A small
bank of clouds hovering around the crater prevented investigators
from seeing all of the activity.
The
volcano, located about 40 miles south of Mexico City, has
been closely monitored since Dec. 18. when the volcano staged
its most violent eruption in 1,200 years, spewing red-hot
rock and convincing thousands who live at its base to flee
to shelters set up in safe areas. The villagers were allowed
to return on Dec. 27.
Residents
are still barred from coming within 7 miles of the crater.
|
