Mexico volcano spits 2 mile-high ash cloud
 

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MEXICO CITY (AP) -- The Popocatepetl volcano just east of Mexico City has spit out a cloud of ash and vapor 2 miles (3 kilometers) high over several days of eruptions, and Mexico City residents awoke Saturday to find a fine layer of volcanic dust on their cars.

It has been years since the center of the nation's capital has seen a noticeable ash fall because prevailing winds usually blow the volcanic dust in other directions. Ash fell earlier this week in some neighborhoods on Mexico City's south and east sides.

The city's legion of car washers quickly wiped the fine coating from cars on Saturday with no apparent ill effects.

Claudia Dominguez, spokeswoman for the Mexico City civil defense office, said the very fine ash had probably been floating around the city from eruptions in previous days and had been brought to Earth by a rainfall late Friday. She said no new ash fall had been reported Saturday, despite continuous eruptions of vapor and ash into the air from the 15,000-foot (5,450 meter) volcano.

Mexico's National Center for Disaster Prevention raised the volcano alert from Stage 2 Yellow to Stage 3 Yellow, the final step before a Red alert, when possible evacuations could be ordered. A Stage 3 Yellow alert had been effect during eruptions earlier this year until early June, when it was lowered.

Mexico's National Center for Disaster Prevention reported there had been three explosive eruptions at the peak late Friday and early Saturday ? events that usually toss glowing-hot rock on the volcano's flanks. It said that Popocatepetl has also continuously spewed clouds of ash into the air, most of which was headed northwest, toward Mexico City.

U.S. airlines canceled at least one flight at Mexico City's airport on Friday as a precautionary measure, though airport authorities said the terminal was fully able to operate. Alaska Airlines had cancelled its route to Los Angeles, the airport press office said in its Twitter account.

On Friday, four airlines cancelled a total of 17 flights "due to climate conditions and in accordance with their own internal policies," the airport said in a statement.

The volcano is about 40 miles (65 kilometers) from the airport, which is in turn a few miles east of the city's center.

The Environment Ministry has urged residents to take preventive measures to deal with the ash, including wearing dust masks, covering water supplies and staying indoors as needed.

Mexico City authorities recommend that people sweep up any ash and put it plastic bags to keep it from mixing with water and forming a concrete-like substance that can block drains.

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Yeah think it was the third time in a month, had ash on the cars yesterday and this morning and lots of dirty rain in the evenings this week. To me the reports seem a little exagerated, no one using masks and the air seems normal, poluted but normal. :2 cents:

Wonder how bad it would be if it ever really let loose. I've never been to Mexico City but isn't that volcano pretty much right on top of the city?

When I was a kid in Hawaii school was cancelled a few times because of ash in the air. Pretty weird.

Found out its considered the worlds riskiest and most watched volcano. there is a catastrophic eruption about every 1000 years, last on was 1200 years ago (fucking real estate agent didnt say shit about that) Mexico city isnt in much danger besides ash and earthquakes, Just that!! haha The last giant eruption fucked up the area where a city called Puebla is now. Only about a million people live there now.

I lived in the shadow of mount st helens when it erupted in 80. Next move i do, I think i am staying away from volcanos.

This one is a little over 40 miles away from mexico city.

Lol lol lol !

The best part of Mexico city resembles the worst section is Los Angeles.

Are you kidding?!? Have you even been here? its awesome and beautiful, one of the top tourism spots in the americas. I love it