Colima’s dramatic eruption on Feb. 16 was caught by a webcam at the base of the mountain. This particular volcano is quite active, and it’s not unusual for it to spew ash more than 6000 feet (2000 meters) into the air. The volcano has had 30 different periods of high activity recorded since 1585.
Not surprisingly, the volcano is located on the west coast of Mexico, part of the tectonic “ring of fire” that circles the Pacific causing high rates of earthquakes and volcanic activity from San Francisco to the Philippines.