An abandoned shed stands near the crater of the, 3,328-meter high Turrialba volcano, 42 miles east of San Jose, Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s Turrialba volcano erupted on January 6th for the first time in more than a century, spewing ash and prompting the evacuation of about 25 people living in nearby communities. Emergency crews have been watching the volcano for two years.
Last week we posted on Volcano Poas Erupting on Christmas day and mentioned that this could be a preamble of what may be in the horizon for the Costa Rica in the year 2010.
Authorities monitoring Turrialba’s activity increased a volcano alert level Wednesday, saying “intense” but “low” seismic activity continued in the crater area. Sharp shocks took place several times during this week according to the Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica at Universidad Nacional.
Volcano experts traveling by foot reached the calderas of the volcano earlier Thursday. They reported that ash and fumes still were erupting but only to about 300 feet into the sky. The experts reported they could hear small rumbling explosions. However, their surveillance was hampered on Wednesday because of rain and ash that had turned to mud and three cantons of Turrialba, Alvarado and Oreamuno are currently under a yellow alert.
Officials also say winds could very well blow much of ash from the volcano toward the Costa Rican capital, San Jose. This has prompted the national water company, the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados to send representatives to meet with officials of the local water company, the Asociaciones Operadoras de Sistems de Acueductors y Alcantarillados Sanitario.
The goal is to make sure that the water continues to be fit for humans.
Costa Rica has issued a emergency statements, the area around the volcano is being or is closed to those casual visitors and tourists. And the police officers are patrolling the communities that were evacuated.
Turrialba volcano is located in southeast Costa Rica in a densely forested region. Three well-defined craters lie in the upper section of a broad summit depression. Turrialba has been quiet since a series of explosive eruptions in the 19th century that featured intermittent flows. Fumarole activity continues at the summit craters.
I have been to Costa Rica several times, primarily visiting the Sarapiqui region. I never made it to Monteverde but heard it is just beautiful. Maybe some day ….
http://www.thelifeofluxury.com/experience-fabulous-monteverde-in-tropical-costa-rica/