Mexico's Popocatepetl volcano erupted Friday morning, sending a cloud of ash towering into the sky southeast of the nation's capital.

Mexico's National Disaster Prevention Center posted images on its website of the plume rising from the 5,450-meter volcano.

Authorities raised the alert level for the volcano earlier this week due to increased activity. But so far, no evacuations have been ordered.

The Popocatepetl volcano, known by locals as “El Popo,” is located about 60 kilometers southeast of the Mexican capital, Mexico City. It has been emitting smoke and volcanic ash since 1994, with a violent eruption in 2000 that forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of people living along the base.