Popocatépetl volcano in central Mexico continues to exhibit ongoing explosive activity, with volcanic ash plumes reaching altitudes of up to 21,000 feet (6,400 meters) as of February 22, 2026, according to the latest advisories. The Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) Washington issued warnings regarding the continued emission of ash, gas, and vapor.
Recent reports from Mexico’s National Center for Disaster Prevention (CENAPRED) indicate that the eruption has been ongoing between February 19 and February 20, 2026. The VAAC also reported a new and longer-lived volcanic ash emission reaching 22,000 feet (6,700 meters) on February 21, 2026.
Popocatépetl, whose name translates to “Smoking Mountain” in the Aztec language, is the second-highest volcano in North America, towering at 5,426 meters (17,802 feet) and located 70 kilometers (43 miles) southeast of Mexico City. The volcano had been dormant for nearly 50 years before becoming active again in 1994.
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