MEXICO CITY, July 7 (UPI) -- Officials this weekend raised the alert level around central Mexico's Popocatepetl volcano, which has been spouting ash and sulfur dioxide, to Phase 3.
DiscoveryVolcano.com reported Sunday Mexico's National Center for Prevention of Disasters raised the alert level to yellow within a 7 1/2-mile radius of the volcano because of particularly strong tremors accompanying intermittent explosions and ash emissions.
A steam and ash plume rose nearly 2 miles above the volcano's crater. A massive cloud of sulfuric dioxide gas was drifting northward from Popocatepetl, DiscoveryVolcano.com said.
CNNMexico.com reported national disaster prevention center recommends people living near the volcano stay tuned for official updates, keep important documents handy, prepare for possible evacuation, and consider relocating to secure areas and temporary shelters.
