Poás Volcano spews gas and water during 3 phreatic eruptions
Costa Rica’s Poás Volcano let loose on Wednesday, spewing gas and water more than 300 feet into the air, the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI) reported. Seismologists registered three consecutive phreatic eruptions starting at 2:45 p.m. They lasted 3 minutes.
According to an OVSICORI press release, phreatic eruptions, while common, cannot be predicted with precision, and they can pose a danger to volcanologists who work close to the crater lake. Debris is rarely a concern, but living things close to the crater lake can be suffocated by the gas-saturated cloud emitted from the volcano after an eruption.
Volcanologists say they have occurred sporadically since 2006 and could continue for several more years.
Poás is located a short drive from the Juan Santamaría International Airport in Alajuela.
You may be interested
Costa Rica unemployment rate remains elevated at 18.7%
The Tico Times - May 7, 2021Unemployment in Costa Rica was 18.7% in the moving quarter from January to March 2021, according to the National Institute…
Mexico extradites ex-priest accused of child abuse to Costa Rica
AFP and The Tico Times - May 7, 2021Former Costa Rican priest Mauricio Víquez, accused of sexual abuse of minors, was handed over Thursday by Mexico to Costa…
Costa Rica considers upgrades to Limón cruise terminal, marina
Alejandro Zúñiga - May 7, 2021The Atlantic Port Authority's (JAPDEVA) has contracted U.S.-based Moffatt & Nichol to conduct feasibility studies regarding a new cruise terminal…
