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Mexico

Mexican volcano erupts, biggest ash cloud in weeks

12:38 PM

MEXICO CITY, Aug 12 (Reuter) - Mexico's Popocatepetl volcano
on Tuesday released its greatest ash cloud since late June, when
it blanketed Mexico City with ash and forced closure of the
airport.

Ash flew more than a mile (about 2 km) into the sky on
Tuesday at 8:24 a.m. (1324 GMT), with strong winds blowing
particles southwest over the states of Morelos and Mexico, chief
volcano monitor Roberto Quaas told Reuters.

Should winds change direction, ash could billow toward
Mexico City, he added. The majestic, snow-capped volcano is 33
miles (50 km) southeast of the capital.

This latest blast may be a sign of more rumblings from the
17,719-foot (5,452-metre) volcano, affectionately known as
"Popo.''

"We think that in coming days there will be more frequent
exhalations of this intensity, but it is no reason for alarm,''
Quaas said.

He said Tuesday's column of ash was the largest since the
June 30 explosion that sent particles falling across Central
Mexico and forced the Mexico City airport to shut.

There were no plans for evacuations this time, he added.