After Mexico's Popocatepetl volcano hurled flaming-red rocks into the air before dawn Tuesday morning, thousands of residents living precariously at its base finally agreed to evacuate. Scientists warn that more eruptions are likely over the next 24 hours, and Mexican authorities put some regions on high alert for possible mudslides on Wednesday. A few people, who insist on guarding their homes and livestock from looters, still refuse to leave. They have sought refuge in 180 makeshift shelters. Before Tuesday's explosion, many people doubted that the volcano would do more than blow a little smoke and had refused to leave.
More evacuations are still necessary, authorities say.
A red plume remains over the volcano, which continues to blow rocks and leaping flames into the sky. As a result, they have expanded the danger zone from 7. 5 miles to 12.5 miles. Scientists have warned that a dome of lava at the base of the 17,886-foot volcano is causing pressure to build inside the mountain. It could trigger strong eruptions, they say. Geologists believe the volcano has had only three major explosions in 5,000 years.