After the eruption. Photo by Donald Farris
Arenal Volcano National Park was reopened late Monday after the morning eruptions. The eruptions had caused brief landslides and had flung rock particles and small amounts of ash on to the trail. According to Raúl Mora, a volcanologist with the National Seismology Network (RSN), Monday’s activity is “completely normal and no one should feel endangered” because “small eruptions, landslides and lava flows are common at the Arenal volcano.” Additionally a spokesman for the National Emergency Commission said there is no need to raise the alert level or order evacuations in La Fortuna, which is the home to many hotels and restaurants servicing the park.
Costa Rica is part of the Pacific Rim of Fire, boasting over 200 identifiable volcanoes. Currently 100 show some signs of activity and five are classified as active volcanoes. Arenal boasts a perfect stratovolcano cone and is the most active volcano in Costa Rica. It is also considered one of the ten most active in the world. Mini eruptions occur approximately every 10 to 15 minutes daily. On clear nights it makes a spectacular sight.
Arenal’s last major eruption in July 1968 killed 89 people.
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Comments
Outstanding photos! Nature's power at its deadliest!
Great descriptions and supportive pics..good job.
Cheers..
ack! my favorite place in CR..Tabacon...good article...I'm the Ex' Central American writer..M
Wonder if the earthquake in the area touched off the eruption. Seems like there is a lot going on underground this year.
Jodie, I wondered the same thing, however Arenal is an active volcano. Michael, nice to meet you, I'll look for your articles.
I'm sure the eruption is a fantastic site, but one I'd want to watch from very, very far away.
Wow... outstanding pix and slideshow. I guess you are used to it, but most of us would be so close to an active volcano! Thanks for the report.
Looks great to me! I've never been to CR but to visit some day in the not too distant future. Everyone seems to like it there.
Just for the record. In the 1960s a huge eruption woke up the residents of the Canton de Tilaran( Tilaran County). The great Arenal Volcano unleashed all its power killing hundreds of local residents that were cought off guard destroying hundreds of acres of farm land and whipping entire towns off the map. Since that day the Arenal Volcano has been releasing gases, smoke and ashes making it of the most active volcanos in the world. Since the eruption the Costa Rican goverment decided not to rebuilt the towns but instead to relocate surviving residents and thats how the Arenal Lake was created. If you ever have the chance to visit just ask any local and they will probably tell you that their grandparents house is at the bottom of the lake.
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