Volcano rumbles in Mexico

MILLIONS of people in Mexico have been told to get ready to leave their homes after the country’s largest active volcano, Popocatépetl, recently began erupting after lying dormant (see Word of the Week) for decades.

- ROXANNE MOONEYS

Schools were closed, planes were grounded and people were told to wear masks as the volcano spewed ash – consisting of fragments of rocks, minerals and volcanic glass – into the air.

Popocatépetl (pronounced pohpoh-kah-teh-petl) is located about 70km away from Mexico City, but strong winds have carried the ash to the capital city and surrounding areas, posing a threat to people who live in nearby towns.