[REVISION HISTORY]

Popocatépetl volcano activity continues, Yellow Phase 2

Updated 7 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-26 03:04 UTC → 2026-09-17 20:30 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Since heightened activity began in late June 2026, Popocatépetl has remained under a Yellow Phase 2 alert. Following two shallow tectonic earthquakes on 31 July, Cenapred and the SSPC maintained the alert level, warning of potential minor explosions, light ash fall, and lahars during rainfall. On 4 August, monitoring recorded 44 exhalations over a 24-hour period, with a 300-metre plume of water vapor, gases, and ash dispersing toward the west and southwest. This was followed by a denser eruption on 7 August, which sent an ash column approximately 3.5 km high. The plume moved over the State of Mexico before turning south-southeast, depositing ash in Jiutepec and several municipalities in Morelos and Puebla. Cenapred issued health advisories for residents to stay indoors, use masks, and close windows, while reiterating the 12-km exclusion zone. By 13 August, monitoring recorded 28 exhalations of water vapor and volcanic gases within a 24-hour period, accompanied by a magnitude 1.9 volcanotectonic earthquake. The alert level remains at Yellow Phase 2, with authorities noting ongoing risks of ash fall and incandescent fragments within the exclusion radius. On 24 August, the volcano maintained its Yellow Phase 2 status despite a decrease to 12 low-intensity exhalations. Aerial footage captured a massive column of steam and ash rising near the Iztaccíhuatl volcano, though hydrometeorological conditions prevented direct observation of the crater. Forecasts indicate ash dispersion may move north and west, potentially affecting Mexico City, Tlaxcala, Hidalgo, and the Valle de Atlixco. On 16 September, the volcano recorded 12 exhalations within a 24-hour period, and the Yellow Phase 2 alert level was maintained. An ash emission was detected moving westward toward Mexico City, prompting the Secretariat of Integral Risk Management and Civil Protection (SGIRPC) to issue warnings for six boroughs: Álvaro Obregón, Coyoacán, Magdalena Contreras, Milpa Alta, Tlalpan, and Xochimilco.

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