Dust and ash from an active volcano in Mexico hopped a ride on the jet stream and made its way across the Gulf Coast to northern Florida on Saturday.
Pilots reported seeing the ash near Sarasota, but the airborne material was not dense enough to pose a threat to aircraft or significantly reduce air quality in Florida. Satellite imaging also picked up dust and aerosols in the atmosphere over the Gulf of Mexico. By Saturday evening, the ash had dissipated across Florida.
The ash originated from the Popocatepetl volcano in Central Mexico, one of the country’s most active volcanoes. It has had 15 major eruptions in recorded history, the last occurring in 800 A.D.
Since 1994, the volcano has experienced episodes of increased activity, including in December 2000, when 40,000 residents were temporarily forced from their homes due to the smoke and ash. In May 2023, volcanic activity led authorities to close nearby schools and airfields and open evacuation shelters for residents.
The U.S. Geological Survey has warned that the Popocatepetl volcano has the potential for severe eruptions.
On Friday, the National Center for Prevention of Disaster (CENAPRED) in Mexico issued a Yellow Phase 2 alert for the volcano’s surrounding area, warning residents not to approach the mountain. Water vapor, volcanic gases, and ash were observed spewing from the volcano, and CENAPRED warned of the possibility of minor to moderate-sized explosions.
Just two days earlier, on Wednesday, Popocatepetl emitted a heart-shaped blast of steam and gases through a large fumarole, an opening in the earth’s crust. This prompted social media users to joke that love is in the air, as Mexico News Daily reported.
Unlike air flights in Florida, flights in and out of Puebla International Airport were impacted by heavy ashfall. The microscopic rocks, minerals, and glass floating in the ash cloud can clog and destroy jet engines, making flying through the ash-laden air unsafe.
The airport ceased all operations on Friday morning as a precaution.
