Mexico prepares shelters as volcano shakes

PanARMENIAN.Net - Seismic activity has increased at the Popocatepetl volcano near Mexico City, leading authorities to alert towns in two central states and the capital, Associated Press reported.

Mexico's National Disaster Prevention Center says the white-capped volcano spewed a plume of steam more than a half mile into the sky. The volcano shook during Saturday night, May 11 sometimes emitting glowing rock over the crater.

The government deployed soldiers and federal police to the area Sunday in the event of a bigger eruption, and officials closed off a seven-square-mile zone around the cone of the 17,886-foot volcano. State authorities prepared shelters.

Popocatepetl has put out small eruptions of ash almost daily since a round of activity began in 1994. The eruptions started strengthening two weeks ago and have increased even more this weekend.