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Scientists keep close watch on rumbling volcano
Mexican residents aren't worried
July 17, 1996
Web posted at: 2:00 a.m. EDT
From Mexico City Bureau Chief Lucia Newman
POPOCATEPETL VOLCANO, Mexico (CNN) -- According to Aztec legend, the Popocatepetl Volcano guards the eternal sleep of princess Iztacihuatl, a nearby mountain.
And while the princess sleeps soundly, seismologists are losing sleep over Popocatepetl's recent volcanic activity.
Residents, meanwhile, are going about their everyday lives as if nothing is happening.
"We've seen the smoke come out before. We've seen the ash before. I've seen all this many times in my 90 years," one resident said.
About 18 months ago, Popocatepetl belched and spewed out ash, smoke and large rocks. Although the last time the volcano erupted was about 1,000 years ago, the activity set off an alarm among scientists.
At Mexico's National Disaster Prevention Center, geologists closely monitor the volcano. Over the last three months, the lava level has risen sharply, increasing concern over a possible eruption.
Thus, geologists are in constant contact with emergency rescue services, and authorities have devised an evacuation plan for when and if the first signs of trouble arise. About 500,000 people live within 14 kilometers (9 miles) of the crater.
"We have to take this very seriously, whatever happens. It's better to be well prepared, than sorry," said Marcos Lopez, civilian security chief.
Mexican authorities justify their preparations by pointing to Armero, Colombia, where more than 20,000 Colombians were buried alive after a volcano erupted. Experts there had warned of an imminent eruption.
At Popocatepetl, as with the Colombia volcano, the biggest danger is a sudden meltdown of the mountain's glacier. That could result in massive mudslides.
Locals unworried
But many of the locals aren't concerned. They don't want to leave behind their animals, homeland or fertile fields. Many argue that, rather than fear the volcano, they've learned to respect it and understand its moods.
Although scientists have installed some of the world's most sophisticated equipment to try to predict an eruption, no one knows what will happen next. Scientists, however, say it's better to be safe than sorry.
"Volcanoes sometimes have an unpredictable behavior," said Roberto Meli with the Disaster Prevention Center, "and one cannot discount that something grave can happen without there being enough time to sound the alarm."
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- 'Ring of Fire' rumbles back to life - Oct 18, 1995
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