Mexico's Popocatepetl volcano erupted twice on Friday night, giving off spectacular flashes of light followed by dazzling incandescent material spilling out of the crater and down the mountain side.

The first eruption occurred at 10:44 p.m. local time, before shooting off another blast less than one hour later, at 11:22 p.m.

The eruptions sent large columns of ash and smoke up to 2 kilometres into the air, with ash raining down on surrounding areas.