Popocatépetl, Active stratovolcano in State of Mexico, Mexico.
Popocatépetl rises 5,452 meters above sea level, featuring a symmetrical cone shape with steep slopes and a snow-covered summit during winter months.
Spanish explorers under Hernán Cortés first climbed the volcano in 1522 to gather sulfur for manufacturing gunpowder for their conquest campaigns.
The name originates from Nahuatl language words 'popōca' and 'tepētl', creating the meaning 'Smoking Mountain' which reflects its continuous volcanic nature.
The National Center for Disaster Prevention monitors the volcano through specialized equipment, providing daily updates about its activity levels to surrounding communities.
After remaining dormant for 70 years, the volcano reawakened in 1994 and has since produced regular ash emissions affecting Mexico City and Puebla.
Location: State of Mexico
Location: Puebla
Location: Morelos
Elevation above the sea: 5,452 m
Made from material: andesite
GPS coordinates: 19.02268,-98.62773
Latest update: May 27, 2025 20:04
These volcanoes document Earth's geological forces. From Ecuador to Japan, they display various forms of volcanic activity. The selection includes Cotopaxi in Ecuador, Mount St. Helens in the USA, and Mount Fuji in Japan. Each volcano features distinct geological characteristics and historical eruptions
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Arco Ozumba
18.3 kmReviews
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