Mexico's eruption - in pictures

More than 50,000 villagers have been evacuated from their homes near the Popocatepetl volcano after a huge eruption. The 5,451-metre (17,884-foot) mountain burst back into life after six years, throwing rocks and ash high into the atmosphere, and threatening mud slides from a nearby glacier.

Nature stages a fireworks spectacular

But thousands have been ordered to evacuate their homes and farms

President Fox (centre) offers reassurances to peasants worried about looting

The eruption began on Monday, sending ash and rocks hundreds of feet into the air

A 20km exclusion zone has been imposed around 'smoking mountain'

It's believed to be Popocatepetl's biggest eruption for centuries