Mexico Popocatepetl Volcano Eruption Update: Ash Too Dangerous, Can Damage Plane Engines

Mexico's Popocatepetl volcano had an overnight explosion on Monday, April 18, giving out ashes all over the country's major city Puebla. The eruption has prompted the city airport to pause its operations.

The Mexico officials are asking the public to wear masks in order to avoid fine grit inhalation that covered cars and houses. Experts revealed that exposure to these ashes may cause human respiratory problems, as well as damages to car and plane engines.

Mexico's authorized agency, the National Disaster Prevention, reported that the volcano eruption started around 3:30 EDT/0730 GMT on Monday. The eruption resulted to hurling glowing rocks traveling as far as one mile from the volcanic crater. Ashes rose almost two miles above the crater.

There are approximately 25 million people living within the 62-mile radius from the 17,797-foot stratovolcano crater. The volcano has been erupting periodically since 1994.

While the Mexico's Popocatpétl volcano eruption happens periodically, on Monday morning, it reportedly went on an explosive show, hurling lava and glowing rocks into the air, Inverse reported.

The volcano also had several eruption episodes this month. Popcatepetl's round-the-month rumbling has made local residents more prepared with possible circumstances, UPI reported. 

During its latest eruption, the volcano covered the entire nearby city with white volcanic ashes.

Popocatépetl is situated in-between two major populated centers. It is 43 miles away from Mexico City, and at least 30 miles from Puebla. The city of Puebla consists of 1.5 million residents. The houses, cars, and offices were covered entirely in ashes due to the explosion.

The volcano reportedly is endangering 25 million people; however, most ashes from the eruption settled all over Puebla, instead of the larger Mexico City.