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El Chichón Unrest Persists as Mexico Maintains Yellow Alert

Scientists attribute the ongoing changes to hydrothermal activity with no evidence of magma moving toward the surface.

Overview

  • Monitoring networks report continued shallow seismic swarms and elevated thermal signals into early 2026.
  • UNAM documents crater‑lake shifts toward sulfate‑ and silica‑rich waters and the formation of hollow native‑sulfur spheres from liquid sulfur measured near 118°C.
  • Gas sampling shows increased hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide near the crater that pose localized health risks in low‑lying areas.
  • Authorities keep the Semáforo Volcánico at Yellow (Fase 1–2), reinforce seismic, geochemical, thermal and remote monitoring, and restrict crater access to accredited researchers.
  • Agencies note the absence of deformation, deep seismicity or magmatic gas signatures and describe present hazards as hydrothermal with potential for minor steam‑driven events.