Costa Rica volcanoes – visiting Arenal volcano
Arenal was very active in 2010. The photo shows a 30 second exposure taken on May 28, 2010 by Tucker Comstock
Volcanoes – nature’s safety valve
Arenal is the newest in the chain of active volcanoes forming the main spine of Costa Rica. Arenal was constructed by successive eruptions of the older Chato volcano, which now has a beautiful lake filling its calderas (the cone at the top of an extinct volcano). This is a popular, albeit very rugged, hiking place, with great views of active Arenal nearby.
No lava has been seen from Arenal since October 2010 and there is no prediction on when or if lava will start to flow again. The earliest eruptions of Arenal took place about 7,000 years ago, with a cyclic period of eruption and dormancy. Arenal’s current eruptive period began with major explosive eruption in 1968 which took everyone by surprise.
Arenal was very active in 2010. The photo shows a 30-second exposure taken on May 28, 2010 by Tucker Comstock.
Serendipity’s staff have a very healthy respect for all volcanoes’ power. Large volcanic eruptions are truly huge explosions that create a very high-speed, hot gas “river” which races more than 60 miles/hour down the mountainside. This pyroclastic flow, rather than lava itself, is the real danger of being near an active volcano. The most recent fatalities, in 2001, were from pyroclastic flow.
There are a few volcanoes in different parts of Costa Rica that we can visit to learn more about volcanology. The Turrialba volcano has been more active since 2010, spewing gases, and also ashes on various occasions. Therefore, access to the crater is sometimes limited, but during the day you can see from a distance how the peak is emitting visible steam.
This map above shows the danger zone of Arenal volcano as determined by the Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica. Note that the hot springs areas (Tabacon, Eco Termales, Baldi) are at the extreme edges of the high risk area..