Popocatepetl Volcano Sends Ash Plume Up To 23000 Feet In Ongoing Eruption

Explosive activity continues at Popocatépetl Volcano, where an ash plume has been observed rising to an estimated 23000 ft (7000 m), corresponding to flight level 230.

A volcanic ash advisory from Washington confirmed that ash emissions were seen in webcam imagery during the ongoing event.

The advisory identifies the volcano at N1901 W09837 in Mexico, with a source elevation of 17693 ft above mean sea level.

The ash cloud was observed on May 12, 2026 at 1314Z, extending from the surface up to flight level 230 and moving north at 5 knots.

Forecast information for the ash cloud over the following hours was not available, and officials stated that more data will be collected before issuing a full update.