As of Jun 19, 2026, 8:54 PM, happening now. Earth Exhibit tracks the live conditions and flags it the moment it is on.
Popocatépetl — 'El Popo,' the smoking mountain — is one of the most active and closely watched volcanoes on Earth, looming over the densely populated corridor between Mexico City and Puebla.
Its current eruptive episode has continued for years and remained vigorous through 2026, with CENAPRED holding the alert at Yellow Phase Two and reporting frequent emissions of ash, gas, and vapor and ash plumes reaching around 6 km altitude.
On active nights the volcano produces explosions that hurl glowing incandescent fragments above the crater rim — a display visible, in clear conditions, from Puebla, Cholula, the Paso de Cortés pass, Amecameca, and even from parts of Mexico City.
Crucially, you do not climb this one: a 12 km exclusion radius is enforced and the summit is closed.
The phenomenon is the distant night glow and explosive plumes seen from the safe valley and pass viewpoints, not a crater visit.
Where to see it
A taste of where to see it. The full map, exact coordinates and the best timing for each spot live in the app.
| Viewing spots |
|---|
| Paso de Cortés Viewpoint |
| Cholula / Puebla City Viewpoint (Great Pyramid) |
| + 1 more spot, with exact coordinates and timing, in the app → |
This is the short version
This page shows a taste. The app has the full list of where to see this, the exact timing, and live conditions for 1,000+ natural phenomena worldwide, so you know the moment one is genuinely worth the trip.