According to the National Disaster Center (Cenapred) the Popocatépetl volcano is one of the most studied and monitored volcanoes worldwide, due to its recent activity it was changed, but what is the volcanic alert traffic light?
Cenapred is an organization that is in charge of monitoring the activity of the various volcanoes in the country, including Popocatépetl.
For this reason, the Volcanic Alert Traffic Light was created with the aim of having a tool that would qualify the level of danger of the activity of the volcano in question.
Green traffic light: Normality
At this stage, the volcano remains calm, its activity is minimal or non-existent, so Cenapred recommends that the population be informed of evacuation routes, meeting places and temporary shelters.
Phase 1: Calm volcano
Phase 2: Minimum manifestations such as fumaroles or sporadic seismic activity.
Yellow: Alert!
When registering a greater activity, the traffic light turns yellow in which the authorities must begin to review preventive protocols in the event of an accident and the population must be attentive and prepared for a possible evacuation.
Phase 1: It manifests activity such as frequent local volcanic seismicity and sporadic emissions of smoke and light ash.
Phase 2: Increased activity that includes plume of water vapor and gas, ash fall in nearby areas, incandescent fragments fall, growth and destruction of lava domes, pyroclastic flows by explosion and short-range mud or debris flows.
Phase 3: Medium to high activity with rapid growth of large domes and their destruction in strong explosions, persistence of fumaroles, gas and slight fall of ash in nearby areas, explosions of increasing intensity with the launch of incandescent fragments, possible pyroclastic flows medium range.
Red: Danger!
When the traffic light reaches this color it is an alarm signal for the authorities and the population who must initiate the evacuation of those who may be affected by the explosion.
Phase 1: The explosive activity generates an intermediate or high danger with an eruptive column of several kilometers of water vapor and gas, launching of incandescent fragments on the slopes of the volcano, significant fall of ash in distant towns and cities, pyroclastic and mud flows that can reach nearby towns.
Phase 2: Volcanic activity with a high to extreme hazard: powerful eruptive columns, intense fall of ash, sand and volcanic fragments at greater distances, possible partial collapses of the volcanic edifice, pyroclastic and debris flows reaching nearby and intermediate populations, large lahars with devastating effects, serious damage to the environment and areas indicated on the volcanic hazard map.
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