TheNewsMexico.com
Volcanic ash rains on Mexico City and surroundings AFP - 7/4/2001
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MEXICO CITY - Volcanic ash rained on the outskirts of Mexico City Tuesday morning after several exhalations by the Popocatepetl volcano situated 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of the capital.
Mexicana de Aviacion and Aeromexico briefly suspended outgoing flights as they assessed the situation at Mexico City's International Airport. Authorities grounded all helicopters, but other flights were not affected.
A four-kilometer (2.5-mile) plume of steam and ash rose above the crater, said the National Center for the Prevention of Disasters (Cenapred).
The center reported 28 small to moderate exhalations over a 24-hour period as well as a micro earthquake located under the crater.
Early in the morning, a moderate explosion "probably sent incandescent fragments outside the volcano crater," and a moderate exhalation later produced the ash column, according to Cenapred.
Wind carried the volcanic ash to surrounding areas, including the Mexican capital.
The closest village is barely eight kilometers (five miles) from the ice-capped crater of the 5,230-meter (17,259-foot) volcano, which had been silent for 67 years until it came back to life four years ago.
In December 2000, thousands of people had to be evacuated following a series
of major explosions in the crater.
-- Anonymous, July 04, 2001