Mexican 'UFO' Volcano Erupting In Dramatic Explosions Of Lava, Rock, Ash

MEXICO CITY (CBS/AP) -- Mexico's Popocatepetl volcano has seen a dramatic overnight explosion that sent ash blowing over the major city of Puebla directly to the east, forcing closure of the city's airport.

Officials there are urging to people to wear masks to avoid inhaling the fine grit that has covered houses and cars. It can cause respiratory problems and damage car and plane engines.

Mexico's national disaster prevention agency reports that Monday's eruption began around 2:30 a.m. (3:30 EDT; 0730 GMT) Monday, hurling glowing rock as far as a mile (1.5 kilometer from the crater. Ash rose nearly two miles (3 kilometers) above the crater.

WATCH: Streaming Video of El Volcán Popocatépetl (webcamsdemexico.com)

In April alone there have been as many as six explosions daily on Popocatepetl. The volcano is famous for mysterious reports of UFO sightings. UFO hunters lit up the Internet with pictures of a flying disk entering and exiting the 'Popo' during a powerful eruption on April 3. Skeptics insisted the flying object was an airplane.

About 25 million people live within 62 miles (100 kilometers) from the crater of the 17,797-foot (5,426-meter) stratovolcano. It's been periodically erupting since 1994.

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