Costa Rica's Rincon de la Vieja Volcano Awakens

From Inside Costa Rica: Costa Rica's Rincon de la Vieja Volcano Awakens

Dormant for more than a decade, the Rincon de la Vieja volcano surprised area residents and tourists with its a phreatic eruption last August 19 and then again on September 16 and 22.

The volcano is located in the northern sector of the country Buenos Aires de Aguas Clara de Upala, in the province of Alajuela.

Experts from the Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica OVSICORI) toured the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano to inspect activity.

The ascent to the crater took over three hours until it was confirmed what the neighbors reported, investigators finding that on Saturday, September 17, a day after the eruption of water and sediment, some fish were found dead in the river Penjamo.

Investigators this week found more evidence of material spewed by the colossus in the streams and ditches in the area.

The neighbuors report indicated that some sediment have made up t 18 kilometres upstream in the local rivers.

Also being investigated is whether the walls of the volcano have some movement.

Most phreatic eruptions are concentrated in the centre of the lagoon that borders the walls that are 75 metres high.

The eruption of November 1995 was one of the most intense. And although the current eruptions are nothing compared, area residents are taking precautions.

After a meeting with experts hey took the decision to revive the local emergency committee. For now, tourist visits to the crater have been suspended and guides are required to visit other parts of the national park.

Authorities recommend people living in the foothills of the Rincon de la Vieja be aware of the water level in the rivers.