Intensified Eruptions at Costa Rica's Poás Volcano Raise Alerts and Health Concerns
Ongoing volcanic activity leads to indefinite closure of Poás Volcano National Park and heightened alerts for nearby regions.
Costa Rica’s Poás Volcano has experienced significant eruptions, with the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI) reporting an ash column that reached 300 meters into the atmosphere.
This recent eruption follows an earlier event on the same day, where a plume of gases and ash ascended 200 meters, indicating a concerning increase in volcanic activity at one of the nation's most active volcanoes.
Experts from OVSICORI have noted continuous explosions originating from the C mouth of the crater, with subsequent ash-laden plumes achieving heights of 400 meters.
The ash plume is reportedly drifting southwest, affecting surrounding areas with fine ash deposits.
Volcanologist Maarten de Moor remarked on the unusual and persistent nature of these eruptions, stating that the current volcanic activity involves significant energy release, without indications of subsiding any time soon.
Monitoring data reveals that sulfur dioxide emissions reached 600 tons per day on March 26, a level consistent with prior assessments which noted emissions of 691 tons on March 18 and 844 tons earlier in March.
De Moor emphasized the ongoing nature of the eruption, revealing no signs of a decrease in seismic activity or degassing, thus highlighting the potential for prolonged volcanic unrest.
In response to the escalating activity, OVSICORI has raised the alert level for Poás Volcano to 3, indicating a state of caution.
The National Emergency Commission (CNE) has subsequently issued a yellow alert for Poás Volcano National Park, which has been closed indefinitely, alongside a green alert for seven surrounding cantons: Alajuela, Poás, Grecia, Sarchí, Naranjo, Río Cuarto, and Zarcero.
The Ministry of Health has advised residents to remain vigilant due to increasing ash fallout, which poses risks to air quality and public health.
Residents have been urged to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as nasal congestion, coughing, breathing difficulties, throat irritation, eye redness, skin issues, or gastrointestinal discomfort.
To further address the situation, Poás Volcano National Park has been closed as a precautionary measure to protect park rangers and visitors from rising ash emissions and the possibility of phreatic eruptions, which are steam-driven explosions that occur when groundwater interacts with heat.
The CNE's Technical Advisory Committee on Volcanology, which detected stronger degassing and tremors, recommended this closure.
The volcano has launched stones up to 150 meters during recent explosions.
Monitoring agencies, including SINAC and the National Seismological Network, are maintaining regular assessments in light of the ongoing volcanic activity.
The alert level remains at 3 out of 4, signifying a need for caution given the likelihood of ash discharge, frequent seismic tremors, and clouds of gas and debris.
This recent eruption follows an earlier event on the same day, where a plume of gases and ash ascended 200 meters, indicating a concerning increase in volcanic activity at one of the nation's most active volcanoes.
Experts from OVSICORI have noted continuous explosions originating from the C mouth of the crater, with subsequent ash-laden plumes achieving heights of 400 meters.
The ash plume is reportedly drifting southwest, affecting surrounding areas with fine ash deposits.
Volcanologist Maarten de Moor remarked on the unusual and persistent nature of these eruptions, stating that the current volcanic activity involves significant energy release, without indications of subsiding any time soon.
Monitoring data reveals that sulfur dioxide emissions reached 600 tons per day on March 26, a level consistent with prior assessments which noted emissions of 691 tons on March 18 and 844 tons earlier in March.
De Moor emphasized the ongoing nature of the eruption, revealing no signs of a decrease in seismic activity or degassing, thus highlighting the potential for prolonged volcanic unrest.
In response to the escalating activity, OVSICORI has raised the alert level for Poás Volcano to 3, indicating a state of caution.
The National Emergency Commission (CNE) has subsequently issued a yellow alert for Poás Volcano National Park, which has been closed indefinitely, alongside a green alert for seven surrounding cantons: Alajuela, Poás, Grecia, Sarchí, Naranjo, Río Cuarto, and Zarcero.
The Ministry of Health has advised residents to remain vigilant due to increasing ash fallout, which poses risks to air quality and public health.
Residents have been urged to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as nasal congestion, coughing, breathing difficulties, throat irritation, eye redness, skin issues, or gastrointestinal discomfort.
To further address the situation, Poás Volcano National Park has been closed as a precautionary measure to protect park rangers and visitors from rising ash emissions and the possibility of phreatic eruptions, which are steam-driven explosions that occur when groundwater interacts with heat.
The CNE's Technical Advisory Committee on Volcanology, which detected stronger degassing and tremors, recommended this closure.
The volcano has launched stones up to 150 meters during recent explosions.
Monitoring agencies, including SINAC and the National Seismological Network, are maintaining regular assessments in light of the ongoing volcanic activity.
The alert level remains at 3 out of 4, signifying a need for caution given the likelihood of ash discharge, frequent seismic tremors, and clouds of gas and debris.
