Webcam image of Popocatepetl spewing ash at dawn on Saturday morning.
A minor eruption of Mexico’s Popocatepetl volcano sent a plume of steam and ash soaring into the sky southeast of Mexico City on Saturday morning.
Ash rained down on some towns near the volcano, including Atlautla, Tepetlixpa and Amecameca in the state of Mexico, and Iztacalco in the federal district.
An area covering 7 miles (12 km) around the mountain was blocked off as a precaution.
The volcano, whose name is the Aztec word for smoking mountain, produced its first recorded eruption in 1345.
For unknown reasons, it has become more active during the month of December over the past 13 years.
