No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchivePoás Volcano Heats Up, Spits Gases and Particles

Poás Volcano Heats Up, Spits Gases and Particles

Volcano experts are keeping a closer eye on Poás volcano, northwest of San José, after plumes of steam and rock sediment soared from its crater Friday.

Park guards who witnessed the eruption said gases and particles sailed up to 300 meters into the air, which is approximately the height of the crater wall.

The phreatic eruption indicates significant changes to the volcano’s behavior and physical makeup. It occurs when hot magma within the volcano comes into contact with surface water and causes an explosion of gas, water vapor and particles of earth.

The temperature of the volcano, which is normally between 100 and 135 degrees Celsius, rose to 369 degrees C last week and caused the volcano’s sulfur to burn – an infrequent phenomenon that hasn’t been seen at Poás since July of 1994. According to the National Seismology System (RSN), based at the University of Costa Rica, sulfur begins to burn when volcano temperatures hit 248 degrees C. This, in turn, causes frequent phreatic eruptions.

The extreme heat, combined with this year’s drought, has also caused a loss of 400,000 cubic meters of water inside the volcano’s acidic crater.

The recent activity has not prompted closure of the park, but scientists said the gases and particles could cause eye irritation to those standing at the crater’s edge.

Volcanologists said they expect more such eruptions and they will continue to monitor the volcano.

–Mike McDonald

 

Trending Now

Hondurans March to Mark 2009 Coup as Election Battle Heats Up

Thousands of government supporters marched Saturday in the capital of Honduras to commemorate the anniversary of the 2009 coup that ousted then-leftist President Manuel...

Costa Rica Surf Film Festival Honors ‘Pura Vida Bodysurfing’ with Top Audience Award

Pura Vida Bodysurfing is an award-winning short film that strips surfing back to its essence—riding waves without a surfboard. Filmed across Costa Rica’s legendary...

When Will Poás Volcano National Park Reopen? Here’s What We Know

Although Poás Volcano has entered a more stable phase and the alert level has been lowered to green, the national park will remain closed...

Costa Rica Introduces New ₡500 Coin: Old One No Longer Valid

Visitors to Costa Rica this month should be aware of an important change to the country’s currency. As of Tuesday, July 1, the old...

Costa Rica Extradites David Ochy to Panama for Alleged Money Laundering

Costa Rican authorities have extradited David Ochy, a former Panamanian presidential candidate, to Panama, where he faces charges of money laundering tied to the...

A Costa Rica Love Story: From Rustic Cabina to Separate Dreams

My Tica wife and I have been together for over a quarter century. When we met, I was living a simple life here. Three...
Avatar
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica