Mexico strengthens volcanic monitoring

MEXICO CITY - Mexican Interior Minister Alejandro Poire said Tuesday that the country is keeping a close watch on the Popocatepetl volcano near Mexico City.

The remarks came a day after the Mexican government raised the alert for the volcano, which is one of the three largest volcanoes in the country and recently spewed red-hot fragments of rocks.

A plume of steam and ash is seen rising from the Popocatepetl volcano in San Nicolas de los Ranchos April 17, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

The change in the volcanic alert is a preventive measure against a possible increase in volcanic activity, he said at a press conference.

Popocatepetl has experienced a series of exhalations of low intensity in the last 24 hours, accompanied by a plume of steam and gas, as well as a small amount of ash.

Poire said that "the federal government has all the financial, logistical and human resources to meet any contingency arising from the volcano's activities".

Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard said there is no need to worry about the situation, with no volcanic ash falling in the vicinity of the capital.

Popocatepetl lies in the eastern half of the Trans-Mexican volcanic belt. It erupted and ejected lava in December 2000, during which some 30,000 people were evacuated.