A volcano known as "El Popo" in Mexico spewed a massive plume of ash cloud into the sky on Tuesday, reaching up to about two miles high. The near 18,000-foot-high Popocatépetl volcano, located 45 miles southeast of Mexico City, prompted officials to issue a yellow alert due to the potential impact on the densely populated area, where around 25 million people live within a 60-mile radius. Last May, the same volcano released towering clouds of ash, leading to the cancellation of school sessions in 11 villages.

In Iceland, a volcano near the coastal town of Grindavík has been erupting since December, with the first eruption occurring on December 18, followed by a second eruption a month later. The ongoing volcanic activity resulted in the closure and evacuation of the popular tourist destination, Blue Lagoon, as well as the declaration of a state of emergency by officials. During the January eruption, lava flowed into Grindavik, destroying several homes and structures.

Volcanic eruptions occur when hot lava and ash escape from a magma chamber below the surface of the earth. These natural phenomena are often found in areas where tectonic plates are diverging or converging. Authorities in both Mexico and Iceland are closely monitoring the situations and advising precautions to ensure the safety of residents and tourists in the affected regions.