Mexican volcano hurls hot rock half-mile into sky

April 14, 2012: A plume of steam rises from the Popocatepetl volcano seen from the city of Puebla, Mexico. (AP)

MEXICO CITY – Mexico's Popocatepetl volcano has hurled super-heated rock fragments half a mile into the air and officials warn more and bigger outbursts are likely.

The volcano southeast of Mexico City has sent giant plumes of ash and water vapor into the air, which may trigger fallouts of gritty, abrasive volcanic ash that can ruin car engines and block drains.

The National Disaster Prevention Center said in a report Thursday that ash may fall on the eastern flank of the peak, away from the Mexican capital.

The volcano had spouted ash or vapor about 15 times over the last 24 hours.

Authorities this week raised the alert level due to increasing activity at the 17,886-foot peak. Its most violent eruption in 1,200 years occurred on Dec. 18, 2000.