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Popocatépetl Popocatépetl, Mexico
Magma streaming down a volcano.
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Popocatépetl
Popocatépetl Popocatépetl, central Mexico.

Popocatépetl

volcano, Mexico
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Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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History

PopocatĂ©petl, volcano on the border of the states of MĂ©xico and Puebla, central Mexico. PopocatĂ©petl lies along Mexico’s Cordillera Neo-VolcĂĄnica at the southern edge of the Mexican Plateau, 10 miles (16 km) south of its twin, IztaccĂ­huatl, and 45 miles (72 km) southeast of Mexico City. The perpetually snowcapped, symmetrical cone of PopocatĂ©petl rises to an elevation of 17,930 feet (5,465 metres), surpassed only by Mexico’s tallest volcano, Pico de Orizaba (18,406 feet [5,610 metres]).

Popocatépetl, Mexico
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Popocatépetl, Mexico
Magma streaming down a volcano.
2 of 2
How Volcanoes Work, Explained By a VolcanologistVolcanologist Janine Krippner dives into the details.
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The first Spanish ascent of PopocatĂ©petl is thought to have been made in 1522 by HernĂĄn CortĂ©s’s men, who needed to acquire sulfur for the manufacture of gunpowder. After lying inactive for more than 70 years, PopocatĂ©petl erupted in December 1994, causing an ashfall over Puebla. Volcanic activity recurred in March and October 1996, as well as in April 1997, and in December 2000 thousands of villagers were forced to evacuate after another eruption.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Meg Matthias.
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