Home>News Center>World
         
 

Mexico volcano spews ash on villages
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-06-06 18:27

MEXICO CITY - A volcano in western Mexico erupted on Sunday, spewing burning rock and raining ash on nearby villages, authorities said.

The eruption at the 12,533-foot Colima volcano, located 430 miles northwest of Mexico City, sent a massive column of black ash into the clouds above.

Satellite images suggested the plume of ash extended 2 1/2 to three miles into the sky, according to the Jalisco state Civil Protection Department.

"It's an event that is among the strongest in the past 20 years," said department spokesman Jorge Sapien.

Ash fell on the nearby settlements of Tonila and San Marcos, but evacuations were ruled out after authorities toured communities near the volcano. There were no reports of injuries.

Volcano specialists were to meet Monday to discuss whether to extend a safety perimeter around the volcano that currently stretches at least five miles from the crater.

Roiling debris from the explosion at 2:20 p.m. engulfed the peak and sparked small fires on the lower slopes.

The Colima Volcano had staged two spectacular eruptions Thursday night and Friday morning, following smaller explosive eruptions on May 23 and May 30.

Known as the Volcano of Fire, the summit's first recorded eruption came in 1560. The volcanic system is considered to be among the most active and potentially the most destructive of the volcanoes in Mexico.

A 1913 blast left a crater 1,650 feet deep.



 
  Today's Top News     Top World News
 

China's stock markets slumping to 8-year lows

 

   
 

Japan to scrap chemical arms left in China

 

   
 

Bank of China to seek strategic investors

 

   
 

Beijing Olympic volunteers get call-up

 

   
 

China-US talks fail to resolve disputes

 

   
 

Iraq says Saddam will face just 12 charges

 

   
  37 killed after Nepal bus hits land mine
   
  Iran extends freeze on uranium enrichment
   
  Hizbollah, allies win landslide in south Lebanon polls
   
  Iraq says Saddam will face just 12 charges
   
  Japan to develop missile defense system with US from 2006
   
  Swiss passport vote gives Europe a boost
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
  Related Stories  
   
Thousands evacuated as Indonesia volcano rumbles
   
Volcanic eruption darkens skies over Northern Marianas
   
Lava from Hawaii volcano drops into ocean
   
Mount St. Helens' crater floor rising
   
US warns of big Mount St. Helens blast
   
Mount St. Helens erupts after 18 years
   
Undersea volcano observed by US research ship
  News Talk  
  Are the Republicans exploiting the memory of 9/11?  
Advertisement