Popocatepetl volcano spews ash and rocks over Mexico City – Rinjani volcano erupts in Indonesia

August 2016 – MEXICO – The Popocatepetl volcano in Mexico, known as ‘El Popo,’ has spewed ash and rocks over the capital Mexico City and neighboring areas. The volcano, which is 34 miles away from the city, left a thin coat of dust on streets and cars.

Authorities urged residents to remove ash from roofs and streets, and put the dust in rubbish bags to keep it from clogging drains. Officials also advised people in the affected areas to close their windows and stay home as long as possible.

The volcano is considered one of the world’s most dangerous due to its proximity to the city with more than nine million inhabitants. Around 25 million people live within 62 miles of the crater of the 5,426-meter magma mount, who could also be affected. There are fears the peak is building towards a major disastrous eruption after activity increased over the past few years, although, it has been periodically erupting since 1994. The Mexican Disaster Agency’s monitoring cameras showed glowing rocks from the volcano’s crater blowing out and landing more than half a mile down its slope.

Meanwhile, the Rinjani volcano, on Lombok Island, Indonesia, saw an explosive eruption at noon yesterday local time, sending a monster 10km-high ash plume into the sky. The eruption caused the closure of Lombok’s Praya Airport from 5pm and it was not expected to reopen until this morning. The volcano erupted several times last year between October to December. Several flights between Australia and Bali were grounded as a result of yesterday’s ash cloud.  –BBC, Express