More than 100,000 students in several towns near Mexico’s most active volcano had their in-person classes canceled on Thursday due to safety concerns raised by the volcano’s increased pyroclastic activity in recent days.
Due to falling ash from the snowcapped Popocatepetl volcano, public and private schools of all levels were closed in 22 towns throughout the state of Puebla.
In the affected areas, online education will take the place of traditional instruction.
Inhaling the ash and gases emitted by the eruptions can be hazardous, and in the worst-case scenario, they could force widespread evacuations.
Popocatepetl, which means “Smoking Hill” in the native Aztec language, Nahuatl, is one of the world’s most closely watched volcanoes. Its heights first appear 45 miles (72 km) southwest of Mexico City’s 9 million inhabitants (or 22 million including the metropolitan area).
Images from Puebla’s state capital’s colonial-era main plaza circulated online, showing many residents covering their faces due to the presence of ash in the air.
Although classes in the state capital continued as planned, residents were advised to remain indoors.
The Mexican disaster prevention center Cenapred maintained the volcano’s alert level at yellow on Thursday, indicating a moderate risk.
Over the last 24 hours, Cenapred reported one “minor” explosion and one volcano tectonic earthquake from Popocatepetl.
On clear days, Popocatepetl, the country’s second-tallest volcano at 5,550 meters (18,209 feet) above sea level, can be seen in the distance in Mexico City’s southern skyline.
