Popocatepetl: past to present

SANTIAGO XALITZINTLA, Mexico -- Popocatepetl, the Aztec "Smoking Mountain," known as "Popo" to locals, has spewed ash, pumice and lava over the Valley of Mexico for centuries, although the volcano's last large eruption came 1,200 years ago -- 700 years before Europeans first saw North America's fifth highest peak -- Mexico's second highest at 5,465 meters (17,930 feet).

Hernando Cortes saw the mountain erupt in 1519 on his way to conquer Mexico for the Spanish. He sent expeditions to the top, and Francisco Montano in 1522 became the first known European to ascend the peak. Diego de Ordaz, a Cortes lieutenant and sometime rival, claimed to have reached the summit in 1519, and some reports give credence to his claim. Montano, however, can lay claim to the first European trip inside Popo's crater. His men lowered him by rope 122 meters (400 feet) to gather sulfur from the crater walls.

Aztec artifacts and structures have been found on the sides of the mountains, but the Aztecs left no record of an ascension to the summit.

VIDEO Watch video of the volcano erupting Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) CNN's Harris Whitbeck reports many residents are going about their business despite the possible danger Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)     MESSAGE BOARD Popocatepetl eruption

Mexico's National Disaster Prevention Center has detailed what is known of Popo's eruptive life.

About 23,000 years ago: A large Mount St. Helens-type eruption

About 14,000 years ago: Large eruption spews ash and pumice

14,000 to 5,000 years ago: Multiple eruptions, at least four classified as "large."

3,000 B.C.: Large eruption

200 B.C.: Large eruption

800: Large eruption

1354: Minor eruption

1519: Moderate eruption

1539 to 1549: Moderate eruption

1663: Moderate eruption

1720: Mild eruption

1919-1927: Moderate eruption. Several deaths recorded inside the crater, where workers were extracting sulfur. Small lava dome grew on crater floor

1994 to present: Moderate eruption. Small lava dome fills a fifth of crater. Five killed near crater rim in 1996. Scientists say past six years of activity similar to 1919-1927 eruption. Activity has been on a steady increase for most of 2000, particularly since an explosion in early September sent ash into the air for 25 minutes. The area around the volcano went on heightened alert after an October 31 eruption. Evacuations began December 16.

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USGS/Cascades Volcano Observatory - Popocatepetl Volcano, Mexico
Southwest Volcano Research Centre
Volcano Database: 1,500 Volcano Links
Popo the Great: A volcano of Mexico
National Center of Disaster Prevention with WebCam of Volcano (In Spanish)
Volcano Adventures

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