Popocatepetl

Popocatepetl is an active volcano located in the states of Puebla, State of Mexico, and Morelos, in Central Mexico. At 5,426 m (17,802 ft) it is the second highest peak in Mexico, after the Pico deOrizaba at 5,636 m (18,491 ft). Popocatepetl is linked to the Iztaccihuatl volcano to the north by the high saddle known as the Paso de Cortés.
The name Popocatépetl comes fromthe Nahuatl words popōca 'it smokes' and tepētl 'mountain', meaning Smoking Mountain. The stratovolcano contains a steep-walled,1,300 × 2,000 ft wide crater. According to paleomagnetic studies, the volcano is about 730,000years old. Elevation 17,880 ft in cone form with a diameter of 25 km at its base and the crater has an elliptical shape with an orientation northeast-southwest. Popocatépetl is currently active afterbeing dormant for about half of last century. In 1991 the volcano's activity increased and since 1993 smoke can be seen constantly emanating from the crater.

Eruptions
Popocatepetl is one of the mostactive volcanoes in Mexico, having had more than 15 major eruptions since the arrival of the Spanish in 1519. A major eruption occurred in 1947.
On December 21, 1994, the volcano spewed gas and ashwhich was carried as far as 25 km (16 mi) away by prevailing winds.
In December 2000, tens of thousands of people were evacuated by the government based on the warnings of scientists. The volcanothen made its largest display in 1,200 years.
.In January and February of 2012, scientists have been noticing Popocatepetl's action increasing. On January 25, 2012, an ash explosion occurred on themountain causing much dust and ash to contaminate the atmosphere around it.
On April 19, 2012 there were reports of superheated rock fragments being hurled into the air by the volcano. Ash and watervapor plumes were reported 15 times over 24 hours.
For several months the volcano has had a tendency to increase their activity and as on April there have been episodes of growth of the lava...