No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeTopicsEnvironment and WildlifeTourist access reopened at Poás Volcano following recent phreatic eruptions

Tourist access reopened at Poás Volcano following recent phreatic eruptions

Tourist access to Poás Volcano, Costa Rica’s second most visited national park located 47 kilometers northwest of the capital, was reopened Tuesday after phreatic explosions prompted the evacuation on Monday of tourists and park staff.

National Seismological Network (RSN) volcanologists asked park officials to remain vigilant and to enforce special security protocols for visitors, such as prohibiting entry to people with respiratory and heart ailments.

RSN volcanologists issued a full report following an on-the-ground inspection of the volcano’s crater on Tuesday. The report states that more phreatic explosions of varying intensity are expected in coming days. Analysis shows that Poás “is accumulating significant pressure in short periods of time,” the report said.

On Monday, the volcano sent mud, ash and rock flying all the way to the park’s scenic tourist lookout, the visitors’ center and parking lots located 1.5 km (0.9 miles) away from the crater’s lagoon.

Park administrator Redy Conejo Aguilar on Wednesday confirmed the reopening of the tourist entrance, and park officials said they would follow the recommendations of volcanologists.

“We are allowing access to the viewing area for periods of only 20 minutes at a time,” Conejo said. “We also are warning visitors that those with respiratory or heart problems should avoid making the trip.”

The Poás Volcano has been constantly active since March 2006, mostly with phreatic eruptions in the crater’s lagoon.

On Oct. 8, experts registered a phreatic eruption that spread material vertically some 300 meters (984 ft). Monday’s explosions reached 500 meters (1,640 ft).

Trending Now

Costa Rica Green Hotels Lead Global Sustainable Tourism

Costa Rica’s reputation as a leader in sustainable tourism grows stronger every year, with our green hotels setting a high bar for eco-conscious hospitality...

Celso Gamboa Allegedly Ran Drug Ring with Costa Rican Government Ties

Celso Gamboa, once Costa Rica’s Security Minister and a Supreme Court judge, now faces extradition to the U.S. for leading a major cocaine trafficking...

Retired Nicaraguan Army Captain Sentenced to 50 Years for Treason

A retired military officer was sentenced to 50 years in prison in Nicaragua for the crime of "treason against the homeland," his family denounced...

Costa Rica and U.S. Strengthen Border Scans and Biometric Cooperation

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem met Wednesday with Honduran President Xiomara Castro to discuss security and migration, following her offer in Costa...

Costa Rica and Panama Seek Gold Cup Glory Against North American Giants

With no Caribbean teams advancing, a Central American contingent made up of Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Guatemala heads into the quarterfinals of the...

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...
L. Arias
L. Arias
Reporter | The Tico Times |
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