Unlike earthquakes, volcanic activity can be predicted.
On Dec 18, the newspapers warned of an inminent eruption. The people living near the Popocatepetl were evacuated. There was a lava dome in the crater. The picture shown in this page was taken by Cenapred on Dec 16 and was published by Reforma, a mexican newspaper on Dec. 18. The dome was 500 miles in diameter, apparently it is desappearing, and the risk of a violent eruption is decreasing
This corresponds to my PERSONAL point of view (I am not an expert on the field). In fact the people living near the volcano are asked to be prepared to evacuate (just in case...). A good FAQ (in spanish) regarding the Popocatepetl and its activity can be found at Cenapred's web site. |
