Late Reports

6.6, volcano eruption, damage

Mexico: the country's Colima volcano spewed ashes almost 5 km high, its fiercest eruption of rock and lava in more than 15 years and its third big explosion in two weeks. No casualties were reported after the afternoon eruption of the 3860m Colima volcano in the western state of the same name. The volcano, which straddles the line between Colima and Jalisco states, 430 miles west of Mexico City, has had six spectacular eruptions in the past three weeks. Seismologists said the increasing frequency of the eruptions and their intensity signaled the volcano was returning to an explosive stage. Residents of Juan Barragan, El Borbollon and Yerbabuena, all within five miles of the peak, were asked to leave the towns voluntarily. Most complied, although some stayed in Yerbabuena. Authorities established an off-limits zone 4.5 miles around the crater, and an alert zone is in effect for seven miles. The volcano has had more than 30 periods of eruptions since 1585, including several significant eruptions in the late 1990s. Scientific monitoring of the volcano began 20 years ago.