Mexico: Video shows Colima volcano spewing ash and smoke in a triple eruption

Mexico's Colima or 'Fire' volcano roared to life, spewing columns of gas and ash into the sky early on 14 December. The first explosion took place in the early morning before sunrise and it was followed by another blast at 8.06am local time.

The National Civil Protection Coordinator Luis Felipe Puente said on his Twitter account that the column of ash and smoke rose 3,000 meters over the crater, before it was pulled by winds heading southeast. A third outburst took place at 11.41am local time, with the column rising to 1,500 meters.

Located in the southwestern Mexican state of Colima, the Fire Volcano has been exhibiting continuous activity since 9 July. Officially known as the Colima Volcano, it was previously active in January and February of 2015 and is part of the Pacific's Ring of Fire.

Mexico contains over 3,000 volcanos, but only 14 are considered active. Major eruptions in Mexican history have included the 1953 eruption of the Paricutin Volcano in Michoacan, the 1982 eruption of Tacana Volcano in Chiapas and the 1986 eruption of the Colima Volcano.