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     - Photo via Turrialba Volcano Park - |
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Published on Tuesday, November
9,
2021
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff Since a strong eruption of the Turrialba Volcano registered on Nov. 3, access to the park was closed for security reasons until Friday, Nov. 19. Experts have detected an increase in gas emissions from the volcano, located in Cartago Province, which were recorded from satellites days before the eruption. Also, the ash analysis shows an almost absence of magmatic material generated from that eruption. Gas levels and SO2 flux returned to normal values after the eruption, they said. Researchers conclude that the mechanism involved in the eruption on Nov. 3, is mainly phreatic similar to the other eruptions observed this year, due to the warming of the water in the crater. This process involves interaction with magmatic gases and an increase in vapor flow which can induce an explosion. It appears that the likelihood of eruptions of this type increases during and after rain. Experts warn the public that the danger of an eruption is always latent in the Turrialba volcano and potentially dangerous. Eruptions can occur without signals of volcanic activity, as was the case with the July 2021 eruption. "An active volcano can erupt in unpredictable ways," experts said. Taking into account the recent eruption, the Volcanological Observatory experts raised the activity of the volcano to level 3, which means erupting activity. The park will remain closed as a measure for safeguarding the lives of park rangers, tourist guides and visitors, the authorities said. Once they have the data obtained from the volcanic study with better results, they will reevaluate a reopening. Authorities ask the public not to enter the protected area through unauthorized areas with high volcanic risk. According to the report from the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory, that first eruption at 6:46 a.m. on Nov. 3, lasted approximately one minute. The ash column rose about 200 meters above the crater and was dispersed by winds to the west-northwest in the direction of the Central Valley. The eruption was seen from the provinces of Cartago, Limón, Alajuela and Heredia. Ashfall was also reported in Coronado Canton, San José Province. A strong sulfur odor was perceived in San Isidro Canton, Heredia Province. This eruption was the fifth recorded in the Turrialba during this year. After eight years of being closed to the public due to the risks of eruptions, the Turrialba Volcano reopened to visitors in Dec. 2020. A study shows that Turrialba and Irazu volcanoes, both located in Cartago Province, are interconnected below the ground. ------------------ Should the authorities warn visitors to the Irazu Volcano as well? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com             |
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