MEXICO - Paricutin Volcano came up in 1943- Popocatepetl volcano has just awoken-
on this video : MEXICO - Paricutin Volcano came up in 1943; tourists on their way, riding towards the Volcano site, and among volcanic land and ruins... Paricutin volcano is located in Michoacan state, not too far from Mexico, where it began to form in 1943. It's this recent formation that makes it totally unique from other volcanoes on earth. it is the only one to have been seen from it's beginning by human eyes. It remained fully dormant since 1952... it still came as a shock to the farmer Dionisio Pulido who owned the fields that Paricutin Volcano was formed in. It would be hard for any person to be shocked when the ground beneath them begins to part and grow several feet into the air! Obviously today his land can no longer be used for farming purposes, but it is a strong tourist draw instead, with many tourists and volcanic enthusiasts coming to see this very young natural wonder.this natural structure earned its status as one of the seven wonders of the natural world REVIEW©2012-JAN12.HDTVNEWS
====== review ---------------------------
Mexico's Popocatepetl volcano has awoken ...
February 4, 2012 — San Pedro Benito Juarez, Mexico (Reuters) Civil protection officials head to towns on the slopes of Mexico's famed Popocatepetl volcano for emergency drills as seismic activity intensifies at the site.
Towering over Mexico City and rumbling above the small towns below, Mexico's Popocatepetl volcano has awoken from its slumber.
With up to fifty thousand residents across 24 towns at risk from volcanic gases, rock and lava flow from Popocatepetl, civil protection authorities from the central state of Puebla are taking no chances with this recent spate of seismic activity.
Located just ten kilometres (six miles) from one of the world's most active volcanos, the quaint town of San Pedro Benito Juarez has long become used to having one of the world's most active volcanos on its doorstep.
Now battling against complacent locals who believe in a special relationship between Popocatepetl and its towns, state officials have launched a tour of schools in the region to promote safety measure in the event of an eruption.
With Mexico's Centre for Disaster Protection able to alert residents of increased seismic activity within 48 hours notice and safe evacuation travel at six hours, such visits could mean the difference between life and death during an eruption.
There are communities where the people say they are friends of the volcano and that it (volcano) is their friend won't do them damage. So, when we come with the backing of scientific research and tell them that there could be a risk and that they need to evacuate, many people believe they are friends of the volcano and they don't want to get out. This (evacuation) is all about capacity-building and information and that they recognise that they are by an active volcano and what the risks are of not listening to the authorities, Puebla's General Director of Civil Protection, Jesus Morales said.
With estimates of up to 200,000 potential evacuees with a large-scale eruption, locals are warning that the limited infrastructure and poor roads of the small towns makes any rapid large-scale evacuation very difficult.
Emergency shelters have been set up
One community leader told Reuters that more assistance is needed to help vulnerable residents such as children and the elderly.
For example, in case of emergency, we need buses, more means of transportation to transport us because, in this case, I'd imagine it would be absolute chaos for everyone, said President of the San Pedro Benito Juarez community, Gavino Santibanas.
The 5,483 metre (17,992 feet) volcano, whose name means smoking mountain in the Nahuatl Indian language, lies just 64 kilometres (40 miles) southeast of Mexico City, where scientists are working around the clock to track recent seismic activity. With previous plumes of gas and eruptions having shut down the capital's airport and left large swathes of suburbs covered in ash, Popocatepetl's reach extends far beyond its neighbouring towns.
Precisely, because we know it's an active volcano and there have been significant eruptions in the past and there will be in the future. We can't say now when, in what month or what year there will be a big eruption but because of this we have such drills to distinguish between signs and characteristics and announce records of significant and minor activity so they know when to take these measures, said chief investigator at CENAPRED civil protection authority, Carlos Gutierrez.
Popo, as the volcano is commonly known, has spat out mile-high clouds of ash and smoke several times this year. Its last major eruption took place in 2000, just one week shy of Christmas Day. Over 40,000 evacuees haphazardly fled their homes and choked highways heading out of the area.
Looking to avoid a repeat, civil protection authorities hope locals are more prepared for the next big bang from Popo. © Thomson Reuters.