Turrialba Volcano emits gas and steam

Two large steam and gas emissions were spotted Tuesday morning atop the Turrialba Volcano in the province of Cartago, east of San José, authorities from the National Seismological Network (RSN) at the University of Costa Rica said.

Turrialba residents said the two gas columns measure nearly 1 km in height and are moving towards the north face of the volcano.

“These gases are mostly water vapor, 90 percent, and the rest are volcanic gases,” Raúl Mora Amador, the RSN’s lead volcanologist explained.

One of the gas trails comes from the main crater, and the other rises from the east wall of the volcano, he added.

RSN geologists this Wednesday will conduct a flyover sponsored by the National Emergency Commission to perform regular measurements of temperature and observe changes at the top. On Thursday, RSN experts will visit the zone.

Access to the Turrialba Volcano National Park has been closed to visitors since last January, when spewing gas and ash alarmed locals and tourists.