Popocatepetl

Description

Popocatepetl is a volcano with forested slopes and a snow-capped cone and large crater. It is the second highest peak in Mexico, behind Pico de Orizaba (18,405). The name Popocatepetl is Aztec for Smoking Mountain, and is often conveniently shortened to Popo. Popo and its neighboring volcano Iztaccihuatl (17,342 ft.) dominate the sky southeast of Mexico City. They are located less than fifty miles from the city, and are separated from each other by a ten-mile ridge. Popo's last major eruption was in 1947, although on December 21, 1994, it awakened from dormancy and continues to be active today. The first recorded ascent of Popocatepetl was by the Tecuanipas tribe in 1289. The first Spanish ascent of the mountain was an expedition led by Diego de Ordaz in 1519.  Emperor Moctezuma sent ten warriors to climb the mountain sometime between 1502 and 1519. Only two of these warriors survived the climb.