No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeTopicsEnvironment and WildlifeCosta Rica’s Poás Volcano Sees Intensifying Eruptions, Raising Concerns

Costa Rica’s Poás Volcano Sees Intensifying Eruptions, Raising Concerns

Costa Rica’s Poás Volcano erupted forcefully sending an ash column 300 meters into the sky, according to the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory (OVSICORI). This followed an earlier eruption that day, when a plume of gases and ash rose 200 meters above the crater, signaling a troubling uptick in activity at one of the country’s most active volcanoes.

OVSICORI experts report continuous explosions at the C mouth of the crater, with ash-laden columns reaching heights of up to 400 meters. The plume is drifting southwest, carried by prevailing winds, and has blanketed nearby areas with fine ash. Volcanologist Maarten de Moor highlighted the unusual persistence of the eruptions. “What stands out is the continuity of the eruption. There’s significant activity, with a lot of energy released by explosions. We don’t know how long it will last,” he explained.

Monitoring data shows no signs of the volcano calming down. On Wednesday, March 26, sulfur dioxide emissions hit 600 tons per day, a high level consistent with earlier reports of 691 tons on March 18 and 844 tons in mid-March. “The eruption is progressing continuously. We’ve seen no decrease in seismic activity or degassing,” de Moor noted, underscoring the potential for prolonged unrest.

OVSICORI has raised Poás Volcano to alert level 3, indicating caution, while the National Emergency Commission (CNE) issued a yellow alert for Poás Volcano National Park—closed indefinitely—and a green alert for seven surrounding cantons: Alajuela, Poás, Grecia, Sarchí, Naranjo, Río Cuarto, and Zarcero. This follows weeks of heightened activity, prompting officials to monitor the situation closely.

The Ministry of Health has urged residents to stay vigilant as ash fall intensifies, posing risks to air quality and public health. “If you experience nasal congestion, cough, difficulty breathing, throat irritation, eye redness, burning, skin issues, or gastric discomfort, seek care at the nearest health center,” officials advised. With no end in sight, authorities and scientists are bracing for what could be an extended volcanic episode

Popular Articles

Bérénice Béjo Stars in “Mexico 86” as a Revolutionary Guatemalan Mother

“Mother can also fight, rifle in hand, when democracy is in danger,” declares French actress Bérénice Béjo, who plays a Guatemalan activist in “Mexico...

Costa Rica Faces UN Lawsuit Over Rights of Deported Migrant Children

Costa Rica faces a lawsuit before the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, accused of violating the rights of 81 migrant...

Happy Earth Day 2025: Celebrating Costa Rica’s Natural Wonders in Photos

In celebration of our little 51,100‑square‑kilometer stretch of earth, we’re revisiting a selection of photos from Costa Rica’s landscapes. From volcanoes and rivers to...
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait

Latest Articles