By TRACI CARL
Associated Press Writer
MEXICO CITY (AP)--Mexico's Popocatepetl volcano belched incandescent
fragments and a towering plume of ash and vapor early Sunday while
scientists urged nearby residents to stay away, uncertain of what
the mountain will do next.
A dome of lava has formed at the base of the 17,886-foot volcano,
causing pressure to build up inside and slowing the eruptions
Saturday after one of mountain's most active weeks in two years.
Comparing the volcano to a blocked pressure cooker, scientists
are concerned that the building pressure could trigger a strong
eruption, possibly throwing rocks and other debris for several
miles.
After several hours of low-level earthquakes, the volcano spewed
incandescent fragments that flew just under a mile from its crater
early Sunday, followed hours later by a plume of ash and steam
more than a mile high.
Scientists warned that stronger eruptions are possible in the
next few days, and they urged people living within six miles of
the volcano to leave.
The last evacuation occurred six years ago, shortly after the
volcano became active again after lying dormant since 1927. It
has been 800 years since its last catastrophic eruption.
The volcano, locally known as ``Popo,'' sits 40 miles southeast
of Mexico City, one of the world's largest cities.
Yet a major eruption would do little more than dust the metropolitan
area's 20 million residents with ash. At higher risk are the small
communities dotting the volcano's base.
Officials have called on some 40,000 people to leave about two
dozen communities near the volcano, but residents have largely
ignored the buses and cars sent to shuttle them to safer areas.
About 10,000 people have reportedly left, staying in schools
and other makeshift shelters where hot meals and medical care
are being provided.
The volcano has been shooting out vapor, ash and rock intermittently
since December 1994, and many say they don't see how this week's
activity is more dangerous than past eruptions.
Others fear their homes will be robbed and their livestock left
to go hungry if they leave, despite the fact that the army has
been sent to take care of the area.
On Sunday, clouds concealed the volcano--and its occasional eruption.
Earlier in the week, many walked around the streets with medical
masks over their mouths to avoid breathing the falling ash.
Scientists are largely concerned by the volcano's unprecedented
recent seismic activity. Many of the tremors this week have shaken
nearby towns.
On Thursday, the volcano threw ash over a 50-mile radius, and
on Tuesday, it erupted 200 times, a record number for a single
day.
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