The Turrialba and Poás volcanoes have shown increased activity in recent days, according to the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI) Poás Volcano experienced several phreatic eruptions releasing ash that reached as far as Sarchí a strong smell of sulfur was reported in nearby areas the eruptions have exhibited greater seismic amplitude an eruption produced an ash column rising between 300 and 400 meters above the surface of the hyperacid lake and aerosol component reached 1,000 meters in height the most energetic eruption occurred at 1:18 p.m. reaching 150 meters above the crater floor we have observed increased activity at the volcano It reached the surface in late December and early January followed by alternating periods of intensification and decline,” said Cyril Müller The expert explained that despite these fluctuations geochemical and geophysical indicators suggest an overall increase in activity This trend could continue and potentially lead to a larger eruption Meanwhile, Turrialba Volcano ended its period of dormancy this Monday with an eruption the event generated an ash plume that drifted westward explained that this eruption may be linked to a landslide recorded last week inside the main crater “The Turrialba Volcano experienced a collapse within its main crater last week This morning’s eruption may be associated with that event as the landslide could have caused ash emissions from the crater which were carried westward,” Müller noted OVSICORI clarified that the activity at Turrialba is unrelated to the recent eruptions at Poás Authorities continue to closely monitor these two volcanoes along with other active volcanic systems in the country January 21, 2012JPEG which continues to be the major source of emissions This image was acquired on January 21, 2012, by the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Reflection and Emission Radiometer (ASTER) aboard NASA’s Terra satellite The false-color image is a combination of near infrared while vegetation damaged by years of acidic gas emissions is brown Bare ground in the summit craters is brown or gray The rock is very weak at the summit of Turrialba due to the intense rains of the region and the persistent hydrothermal activity at the summit This means that new vents can open at the summit when pressure in the conduit is high enough to make its way through the weakened rock The activity of January 12 was a pressure release at the summit through the hydrothermally-altered “rotten rock,” not a magmatic or phreatic (steam-driven) eruption NASA Earth Observatory Image by Jesse Allen and Robert Simmon, using data from the NASA/GSFC/METI/ERSDAC/JAROS, and U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team. Caption by Erik Klemetti (Denison University & the Eruptions blog) and Robert Simmon View this area in EO Explorer A new vent opened at the summit of Costa Rica’s Turrialba Volcano in mid-January long-lasting volcanic tremors and emissions of gas and ash in early January 2010 marked an increase in activity at Costa Rica’s Turrialba volcano The volcano has been erupting since January 2005 A false-color image of Llaima Volcano shows lava flows streaking the summit on April 6 Emissions of gas and ash indicate an increase in activity at Costa Rica’s Turrialba volcano in January 2010 Asama Volcano on the Japanese island of Honshu showed signs of unrest including ash plumes and increased seismic activity This is an Insight article, written by a selected partner as part of IAM's co-published content. Read more on Insight Geographical indications have allowed for trademark protection within numerous multilateral This is mainly due to the important role that they play in the world economy informing consumers of the origin of a particular product quality and other characteristics embedded in its geographical birthplace Costa Rica is one of the most developed countries in Central America and in recent years has focused on adding value to its food production through the adoption of certain labels and other quality designations to distinguish its products from those of other undertakings and jurisdictions handicrafts made in Nicoya and Santa Cruz Guanacaste or Sarchí bananas and cheese from Zarcero and Turrialba According to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) a designation of origin is a type of geographical indication which interacts with the historical cultural and geographical realities of a certain country or a region within a country Cheese is precisely one such product – made particularly appealing as a result of its artisanal creation in many countries around the world Costa Rica is well known for having 5% of the world’s biodiversity in a single territory Visitors flock from around the globe to see miniature frogs unique orchids and the world-famous smiling sloth It is clear why Costa Rica was recently ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world and the happiest in Latin America (according to the World Happiness Report 2018 which ranks 156 countries by happiness levels and 117 countries by the happiness of their immigrants and which is approved by the United Nations) Happiness is vital to the production of high-quality products and success Within Cartago is the district of Turrialba located on the slopes of the Turrialba Volcano The area extends to around 127,40 square kilometres and has a population of more than 3,000 people It is precisely in this location that 70% of Costa Rican cheese is produced – the very cheese that almost all Costa Ricans eat daily The establishment of a designation of origin is the recognition of the quality of a product based on its cultural relevance within the local traditions and customs of a nation It is precisely this recognition that highlights these qualities for third parties thus establishing limits and boundaries when faced with similar products One such designation of origin is the label of quality and of the artisanal process of cheese making in the Turrialba region of the Costa Rican mountains Costa Rica first afforded protection to geographical indications in 1994 when it enacted the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) – one of the founding treaties of the WTO Article 22 of TRIPs states that: “Geographical indications are indications which identify a good as originating in the territory of a Member reputation or other characteristic of the goods is essentially attributable to its geographical origin.” Since 1994 the Costa Rican government has put in place various pieces of legislation affording total protection to geographical indications and designations of origin Costa Rica is a small nation but is plentiful in the quantity and quality of its products goods such as cheese may have been considered to be a simple commodity Being well aware of the value that a geographical indication adds to goods the cheese producers of Turrialba established an organisation of cheese producers from the region which went on to establish rules and impose trade barriers for other Costa Rican cheese producers and to highlight the qualities of Turrialba cheese There are approximately 250 cheese manufacturers in Turrialba which are covered by its designation of origin Turrialba cheese is manufactured by families from whole raw milk originating from cows that graze at the foothills of the Turrialba Volcano and in nearby areas creamy white to creamy yellow in colour and with a mild aroma it is fascinating to examine how such large-scale cheese production is possible Costa Rica does not boast a unique Turrialba breed of cow or a specific type of grass endemic to the region; however there are certain conditions that make Turrialba cheese special and of such good quality due to existing links between the two nations it is believed that cheese producers may have arrived from Castilla La Mancha in Spain more than 100 years ago and introduced local Turrialban farmers to the art of cheese making – a tradition that now spans generations and which has been inherited by certain families in the Turrialba region The designation of origin recognition process was initiated in 2000 when technical studies were conducted to characterise products their qualities and links with a territory Agronomist Leonardo Granados headed up the process alongside the National Institute of Research and Transfer in Agricultural Technology with financial aid from the University of Santiago de Compostela in Spain the Spanish Agency for Development Cooperation and the Hemispheric Programme of Rural Agrobusiness The process was successfully completed in November 2012 The introduction of the designation of origin for Turrialba cheese created friction among other cheese producers which in the past had claimed that the name ‘Turrialba cheese’ was generic and had filed appeals with the Industrial Property Registry based on existing trademark rights over the name a milk production company was (and still is) using the terminology ‘Turrialba-type cheese’ The trademark rights currently remain in the hands of Costa Rica’s main milk producer The Turrialba cheese producers are members of the Association of Agricultural Producers of Santa Cruz of Turrialba (ASOPROA) This membership helps to ensure that quality standards are met and IP rights are respected by third parties the ASOPROA initiated the designation of origin registration process with the Industrial Property Registry and according to the granted designation of origin only cheese producers from the Turrialba region and part of the Santa Teresita region (whose cheese production and agricultural process are compliant with the Turrialba process) can use the name ‘Turrialba cheese’ as a designation of origin a trademark cannot conflict with a designation of origin or geographical indication there were prior trademark rights conflicting with the granting of the designation of origin the TURRIALBA trademark owner filed suit claiming prior trademark rights and use in the Costa Rican market the likelihood of confusion between a trademark and a protected designation of origin or geographical indication must be analysed thoroughly A strict interpretation regarding the applicability of the relevant provisions must be put into place in respect of the conflict between a trademark and a protected geographical indication wherein a trademark is usurping imitating or evoking a protected designation of origin or geographical indication This should result in the prior trademark registration being declared null and void the ASOPROA has undertaken a number of measures The TURRIALBA trademark owner has indicated that it will continue to use the designation ‘Turrialba-type cheese’ for some of its products because it possesses the rights to a previously registered trademark through the Industrial Property Registry the ASOPROA is radically opposed to this practice and has indicated that the producers are the rightful owners of the brand and the designation of origin The ASOPROA has also indicated that it will take legal measures to ensure healthy competition The ASOPROA has stated that in order to achieve designation of origin protection it had to establish the existence of a clearly defined geographical production area within which there is a particular combination of natural and human factors typical of the geographical environment and that confer a certain quality and specific characteristics to the Turrialba cheese produced there The Turrialba case is one of conflicting IP rights The Industrial Property Registry must define the path that it intends to follow regarding whether the trademark rights will prevail despite the existence of a century-old cheese production process backed by a designation of origin Web www.eproint.com Gabriela BoddenPartner[email protected] Gabriela Bodden has more than 20 years of expertise in intellectual property She co-heads Eproint’s international IP department Ms Bodden also counsels clients in the selection and registration of IP rights and their enforcement She regularly advises clients on complex contractual matters piracy prevention and strategies which add a significant competitive advantage to clients’ portfolios Ms Bodden has extensive experience in handling complex international IP portfolios throughout Latin America and the Caribbean on behalf of a broad range of clients in a wide variety of industries but she also spends time managing the group and training her assisting team Unlock unlimited access to all IAM content Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC (FSIP) leader in the development of technology that eliminates vibrations in global transport To celebrate the achievements of these 10 years FSIP held a ceremony and tour of its production plant in Turrialba on May 9 The activity was attended by Lizbeth Barboza President of Firestone Industrial Products; and José Joaquín Hernández General Manager of the Turrialba FSIP Plant FSIP is dedicated to the production and manufacture of air dampers and parts used in tire assembly machines During its 10 years presence in the country the company has manufactured more than five million units and has invested more than US$20 million The global company decided to establish the plant in the Turrialba area because of its proximity to ports and institutions of higher education such as the University of Costa Rica National Learning Institute and the Costa Rica Institute of Technology all that provide access to personnel with a high level of training “Strong businesses and great communities go hand-in-hand and we are proud to celebrate this milestone with our employees and elected officials,” said Jose Joaquin Hernandez Rojas general manager of the Turrialba FSIP Plant we have created a production facility that is making a positive impact on Turrialba and country and delivering high-quality products.” The majority of the company’s products manufactured in Turrialba are exported and the remaining portion used at the local tire production plant Firestone has become a very important ally for Costa Rica not only because of the impact its operations have had but also because of its contribution to development outside of GMA (Great Metropolitan Area) It fills us with deep gratitude to see how this leading company not only continues to trust the country as the headquarters of its operations not only provides quality employment to around 175 people but also encourages fosters the inclusion and integration of regions territories and localities into the ecosystems of high productive potential My sincerest congratulations to Firestone for its tenth anniversary and we hope to continue walking together for many more years” The operational excellence of the Firestone plant has allowed it to be awarded the ISO 9001 Quality Management certification; ISO 50001 concerning the efficient management of energy; and ISO 14001 that seeks companies to have an environmental management plan FSIP is certified on the International Automotive Task Force standards (IATF-16949) a group made up of automobile manufacturers and their commercial associations with the aim of providing better quality products to customers around the world The company is also guided by Bridgestone's global social responsibility commitment, Our Way to Serve which focuses its sustainability strategy on the Priority Areas of Environment said “We celebrate the 10 years of Firestone in the country and applaud its valuable contribution to the human talent of Turrialba This is one of the 20 cantons with which CINDE works outside the GMA in order to develop the right conditions for attracting investment that 3 of the 20 new companies attracted to the country installed their operations in communities outside the GMA equivalent to 15% of the total number of new companies that arrived in Costa Rica Firestone is a clear example of how companies can be successful over time outside the Great Metropolitan Area and we hope to continue being part of their strategic allies for their future plans.” The celebration of this decade is a landmark of Bridgestone Americas which owns and operates three sites in Costa Rica: Firestone Industrial Products in Turrialba; Bridgestone Shared Services Center in Heredia; and tire manufacturing plant FSIP is part of Bridgestone Corporation, the world’s largest tire and rubber company, and benefits from its automotive expertise, research and development efforts. The company offers a full range of air springs for the global commercial vehicle market with its two product brands, Firestone Airide™ and Airogear™, and is a preferred partner of top global vehicle manufacturers. For more information, visit FSIP specializes in air spring manufacturing and technology with a history of more than 80 years of research and development on technologically advanced air springs for the global marketplace Firestone Industrial Products manufactures air springs and related products for commercial trucks and trailers The company has quality-certified manufacturing/assembly plants and technical centers in North America About Firestone Industrial Products Costa Rica Firestone Industrial Products is located in Turrialba 2009 with the production of tire compensators (Air Springs) and rubber parts for vibration reduction (Marshmellows) it began the operation of its third production line dedicated to the manufacture of parts used in tire assembly machines it makes direct exports to the United States If you're a journalist with questions about this story or other company news, please contact us Firestone Launches Affinity AS Touring Tire to Enhance the Ride Quality Bridgestone to Exhibit at 40th Space Symposium Empowering Lunar Mobility from the Ground Up Under Extreme Conditions Bridgestone to Debut First MASTERCORE Tire for Aggregate Segment with Enhanced Load Capacity and More Tire Life Bridgestone Unveils Two New Tires with ENLITEN Technology and its Advanced Digital Service Dispatch Solution at TMC 2025 Ash spewing from Costa Rica's Turrialba volcano Monday forced the country's main airport to close for more than three hours Four flights to Juan Santamaria international airport were diverted and 10 departing flights were canceled because of the ash which has been intermittently active since 1996 erupted five times between Sunday and early Monday That sent smoke and ash over much of Costa Rica's central valley according to National University's Vulcanological and Seismological Observatory OVSICORI video, via YouTube It is the essential source of information and ideas that make sense of a world in constant transformation The WIRED conversation illuminates how technology is changing every aspect of our lives—from culture to business The breakthroughs and innovations that we uncover lead to new ways of thinking Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Expert Vagabond Published: Oct 10, 2011 · Modified: Mar 29, 2025 by · This post may contain affiliate links · National Geographic Magazine rated Costa Rica's Rio Pacuare as one of the top 5 best whitewater rafting spots in the world Riding the river's class IV rapids was a wild experience The town of Turrialba is well know for it's scenic landscape and fast-moving rivers In fact, the World Rafting Championships were held here in October 2011 My good friend Abby and I love to play on rivers So we wanted to experience some of the world-class rafting that Costa Rica is known for and grabbed a local bus into town for a few days There are a lot of large rafting companies running trips down the Rio Pacuare I'm not a huge fan of giant tour companies churning through people as fast as they possibly can Luckily I found a small, local, family run operation called Tico's River Adventures Roberto, the energetic & friendly owner, picked us up outside our hostel Spanish By The River in Turrialba We met the rest of our rafting team at his home First we had a nice scenic road-trip through the Costa Rican countryside before we arrived at the mighty Pacuare Our rafts were waiting for us on the river's edge our guide Jeovany gave us a quick safety briefing Before we could run the big class IV rapids we'd need to practice pulling each other out of the water "I can't promise anything" was Jeovany's response when I asked if the rafts often tipped over.. Our rescue practice consisted of jumping into the cold murky-brown water while 1 or 2 others would grab the "victim" by their lifejacket and haul them back on board The first section of rapids came upon us immediately This whitewater roller-coaster had us bouncing all over the place as our raft plunged down through 11 different class III & IV sections with names like: Suddenly without warning we were pinned backwards on a boulder getting slammed with the raw power of the whitewater It's a good thing we practiced our rescues earlier The whole raft was about to flip us into the swirling cauldron of water.. but finally at the last second we managed to break ourselves free before the situation got ugly Now completely soaked and high on adrenaline - it took some effort to slow down & appreciate the stunning scenery around us and brightly colored Blue Morpho butterflies fluttering past After more intense whitewater action we stopped to take a break on the bank of the river and chow down on a large lunch consisting of sandwiches the raft gained speed as we floated into a narrow section of canyon Letting a few other rafting groups pass us we were able to jump out to go swimming and climb up a 10-20 foot cliff to dive in and cool off Our guide pointed out a group of local indigenous kids playing by the water's edge The Chirripó indians who live in this part of the forest use a cable to cross the river overhead in a metal basket More swimming kids greeted us at the end of our day-long 18 mile river adventure where we all jumped out to finally relax and order a much-needed beer at the riverside bar after my experience on the Pacuare I do believe National Geographic had it right I hope you enjoyed my guide on Whitewater Rafting in Costa Rica Here are a few more wanderlust-inducing articles that I recommend you read next: Do you want to go whitewater rafting in Costa Rica? Have any questions? Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to share and American expat living abroad in France Join me & my family as we share useful travel tips from 10 years traveling around the world Travel Blog | About | Policy Page | Contact Some of the links on this website are affiliate links We make a small percentage if you purchase products through those links It does not cost you anything extra and helps keep this site running As an Amazon associate we earn a small percentage from qualifying Amazon purchases © 2025 Expert Vagabond Travel Blog | Digital Nomad Living Abroad  Turrialba in Costa Rica has rumbled to life in what may be its strongest eruption in years diverting flights and choking San José with ash and fumes A volcano in central Costa Rica is spewing smoke and ash 9,840 feet (3,000 meters) into the sky sending hundreds of people to the hospital with breathing difficulties and forcing dozens of flights to be diverted The volcano, called Turrialba is about 30 miles (48 kilometers) east of the capital city of San José buildings there are blanketed in ash and the air reeks of sulfur Costa Rica is home to dozens of dormant volcanoes, but Turrialba is known for its more regular activity. Twice last year, eruptions shut down the airport in San José because of low visibility. The latest volcanic activity began on May 16 with an explosion of gas and ash, according the Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program and several long-lasting and strong earthquakes have been recorded the eruption happening as of May 21 is particularly strong “It seems to me to be the strongest [Turrialba] eruption in the past six years,” volcanologist Gino Gonzalez told reporters at a press conference Turrialba is what’s known as a stratovolcano Helens in Washington State and Mount Etna in Italy toxic gases and hot volcanic fragments can race down the mountainside with hurricane force Turrialba is 10,960 feet (3,340 meters) tall and covers more than 190 square miles (500 square kilometers), making it one of Costa Rica’s most voluminous volcanoes Tourists used to be able to hike into the main crater but the trail has been closed for some time due to increased volcanic activity Follow Rachael Bale on Twitter. Correction: This article has been updated to correct the unit conversion for Turrialba's area. diverting flights and choking San José with ash and fumes.","enableAds":true,"endbug":true,"isMetered":false,"isUserAuthed":false,"isTruncated":false,"isEntitled":false,"freemiumContentGatingEnabled":true,"premiumContentGatingEnabled":false,"ldMda":{"aspectRatio":"3x2","cmsType":"photogallery","id":"1cfb4c77-889c-3665-9094-e2bb51a8bcff","media":[{"caption":{"credit":"Photograph by Ezequiel Becerra Getty Images","text":"Turrialba is sending smoke and ash 9,840 feet (3,000 meters) into the sky Turrialba is sending smoke and ash 9,840 feet (3,000 meters) into the sky Turrialba is one of Costa Rica’s biggest volcanoes covering more than 190 square miles (73 square kilometers) Ash has coated the capital city of San José about 30 miles (48 kilometers) west of the volcano Costa Rican emergency officials have warned people in nearby towns to wear masks and tight-fitting clothing to protect them from the ash and fumes Turrialba is often a destination for hikers but the trail to its crater has been closed because of increased volcanic activity The ash plumes have forced flights to be diverted because of low visibility Turrialba is one of Costa Rica's half dozen active volcanos The country is also home to dozens of dormant and extinct ones COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER Imagine being able to witness the breathtaking beauty of the Turrialba Volcano from above in a cable car thanks to a pioneering proposal set forth by Congress representatives Rosaura Méndez (PLN) The proposed installation of a cable car system is part of the “Nuevo Territorio Turrialba y Jiménez” project which aims to catalyze social inclusion and economic revitalization in the region At the heart of this endeavor lies a commitment to bolstering the local economy and creating fresh employment opportunities for the community conducted last April by two Swiss engineers the feasibility of the project was confirmed The cable car line would stretch approximately 2.5 kilometers providing direct access to the Turrialba Volcano With four towers equipped with cabins capable of accommodating between 12 to 20 individuals each the infrastructure promises to accommodate a diverse range of visitors it was underscored that the proposed cable car system would not only enhance accessibility to the volcano but also ensure safer and more inclusive access meaning it would allow a broader spectrum of individuals to visit Legislative representatives have actively engaged in dialogues with local stakeholders to ascertain the optimal strategies for the installation of the cable car system technical advisor of Nuevo Territorio Turrialba y Jiménez emphasized the significance of realizing this transformative project “If we manage to redirect part of that visitation to Turrialba with the improvements we have planned in Guayabo we could establish a tourist circuit that would encourage people to spend the night in Turrialba,” he said it is not known how the initiative will be financed the proponents point out that it has been endoresed by several sectors so they hope that a consensus on the funds for its construction can be reached soon Activity had greatly diminished when the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) instrument on NASA's Terra spacecraft acquired this nighttime thermal infrared image on April 2 Poas Volcano's hot crater lake also appears white though its temperature is considerably less than Turrialba's crater The large image covers an area of 28 by 39 miles (45 by 63 kilometers); the insets 2 by 2 miles (3.1 by 3.1 kilometers) The image is centered at 10.1 degrees north With its 14 spectral bands from the visible to the thermal infrared wavelength region and its high spatial resolution of 15 to 90 meters (about 50 to 300 feet) ASTER images Earth to map and monitor the changing surface of our planet ASTER is one of five Earth-observing instruments launched Dec The instrument was built by Japan's Ministry of Economy A joint U.S./Japan science team is responsible for validation and calibration of the instrument and data products The broad spectral coverage and high spectral resolution of ASTER provides scientists in numerous disciplines with critical information for surface mapping and monitoring of dynamic conditions and temporal change Example applications are: monitoring glacial advances and retreats; monitoring potentially active volcanoes; identifying crop stress; determining cloud morphology and physical properties; wetlands evaluation; thermal pollution monitoring; coral reef degradation; surface temperature mapping of soils and geology; and measuring surface heat balance science team is located at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory The Terra mission is part of NASA's Science Mission Directorate More information about ASTER is available at http://asterweb.jpl.nasa.gov/. 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NASA-Led Study Pinpoints Areas Sinking, Rising Along California Coast If your daily experience of Costa Rica’s Turrialba Volcano like that of many residents of central Costa Rica consists of dusting layers of volcanic ash from your windshield you have lost a laptop to persistent ashfall – it can be easy to forget that the source of this daily annoyance is actually awesome This video will change all that. Cusuko Fotografía compiled the images from several months of its footage. Shot in part at the Hacienda La Central – Volcán Turrialba the video provides a closeup view and breathtaking time-lapse footage of the active volcano where I have been helping with the collection of samples and some footage.” This video article was first posted in 2018. Since then we have updated information on Turrialba and what there is to and do there, you can check out this article at 72 Hours in Turrialba January 21, 2010JPEG January 21, 2010TIFF Google Earth - January 21, 2010KML NASA Earth Observatory image by Robert Simmon using EO-1 ALI data provided by the NASA EO-1 team View this area in EO Explorer Turrialba Volcano National Park reopened yesterday Local and foreign tourists wishing to visit the site will be able to do so normally given the criteria issued by the OVSICORI – UNA on the update of the activity status of the Turrialba Volcano The activity level decreased from level 3 to level 2 This trail makes this beautiful tourist destination even more attractive and is expected to increase visitation to the park A greater influx of tourists promotes growth and opportunities in nearby communities The National Park has implemented several security measures that allow tourists to enjoy their visit SINAC has established actions such as guided trips with certified and trained guides in volcanology Just like any other volcano, the Turrialba Volcano can have unpredictable eruptions This is why it’s extremely important to follow security protocols and listen to expert guides and authorities reopening this Protected Area will reactivate tourism in the region which will positively impact the economies of the communities near this National Park It will benefit small and medium-sized businesses to reemerge after the hard impact of the pandemic “Protected Wildlife Areas generate direct and indirect employment They allow the development of tourism and commercial activity in general; they’re part of the measures and strategies to mitigate the economic crisis caused by covid-19,” said Rafael Gutiérrez Rojas Gutiérrez also explained that SINAC is promoting domestic tourism as it “can be a strategy that provides them with the resources for its reactivation.” Several improvements have been made in the National Park including constructing railings in the viewpoint area and along the route from the visitor’s booth to the crater’s viewpoint For those interested in visiting the National Park, the Association for the Integral Development of Calle Vargas – Las Virtudes and the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism Education will be responsible for providing the guide service inside the National Park. There is an additional fee for this service. Reservations should be made in advance or  info@icetur.com Located due east of San José, Turrialba is just two hours from the San Jose airport yet feels like a different world entirely and that was never more the case when the volcano, one of Costa Rica’s most active, erupted last night at 9:27 pm. according to Ovsicori, Costa Rica’s volcanic ministry It I also reported that an ash cloud of  over 1000 meters rose above the volcano Reports of light ash and the smell of sulpher as far away as Escazu The National Park had recently reopened after a period of consistent volcanic activity had caused concerns Forest firefighters from the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) of the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) responded to a forest fire that has been affecting the Turrialba Volcano National Park (PNVT) since March 10 of this year encroaching into the National Park and impacting the moorland in that vicinity have been tirelessly working to contain the emergency and assess the extent of the affected area firebreaks will be established to halt the fire’s spread with the aim of declaring the incident under control by the end of today “Given the prevailing conditions of strong winds any vegetation fire can rapidly escalate into a forest fire as evidenced by the situation in Turrialba Volcano National Park resulting from agricultural burning encroaching onto park slopes What started as a simple burn has escalated into a fire with severe environmental consequences,” remarked Franz Tattenbach Tattenbach further highlighted that the nation is already on high alert for the 2024 forest fire season which could be particularly critical due to the presence of the El Niño phenomenon (resulting in drought) This season is expected to bring elevated temperatures creating a conducive environment for wildfires the public is urged to refrain from engaging in agricultural burns under these weather conditions The Executive Directorate of the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC-MINAE) activated the Permanent Alert System on January 15 for the 2024 season recognizing the risk of forest fires nationwide This system facilitates a prompt and effective response minimizing the extent of damage to biodiversity SINAC urges the public to refrain from burning any form of waste or leaf litter and to establish firebreaks around their properties or vacant lots individuals must obtain the requisite permit from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and adhere to prescribed technical guidelines three unmanned aircraft were sent by NASA into a Costa Rican volcano's plume last month to study its chemical environment alan.buis@jpl.nasa.gov Ruth.marlaire@nasa.gov Climate Change. 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The National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) has made the decision to temporarily close the Turrialba Volcano said the administrator of the protected wildlife area On January 17, a series of eruptions occurred that reached a height between 500 and 1,000 meters above the crater Part of the eruptive column collapsed in an easterly forming a mass of very hot ash about 500 meters long This has lead to the decision to raise the warning level from Active to Eruptive Here are the 4 stages of a volcano to give some perspective: Active – A volcano that has had at least 1 eruption in the past 10,000 years Erupting – An active volcano that is having an eruption right now (live) Dormant – Active volcano that is not erupting but is supposed to erupt again Extinct – Volcano that has not had an eruption for at least 10,000 years and is not expected to erupt again in a comparable time scale of the future The report indicates that the flow reached more than 400 meters towards the east crater with a maximum thickness of 15 centimeters near the crater containing rock fragments exceeding 10 centimeters in diameter it should be noted that Monday’s eruptive event has been marked as the most “energetic” of the last two years Furthermore, authorities remind those living near the volcano to abide by the established security protocols and not to enter the national park through areas that are not permitted or are at high volcanic risk https://www.facebook.com/OVSICORI/videos/vb.106757629361504/836698696367390/?type=2&theater ash spilled from the crater of Costa Rica’s Turrialba Volcano for nearly an hour located about 67 kilometer northeast of the capital San José the wind carried it into the Central Valley — for the umpteenth time in recent months The eruption comes less than a week after the volcano shot a tower of ash 2.5 kilometers into the air shutting down Juan Santamaría International Airport for the third time since March Since Turrialba Volcano re-awoke last October the volcano has gone from an interesting diversion to a nuisance for nearby residents and visitors could jeopardize the health of humans and the environment They could also cause serious economic damage “There is a very high possibility that [the volcano] will reach a higher level of activity,” said Lidier Esquivel, the chief investigator of risk management for the National Emergency Commission (CNE) Scientists with both the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI) and the National Seismological Network (RSN) expect Turrialba’s eruptions to gradually increase over the next few months until the volcano is erupting on a near weekly basis Scientists have also confirmed that lava has reached the surface it is fragmented lava that is creating the ash,” Guillermo Alvarado coordinator for volcanic and seismic threats and monitoring for the Costa Rican Electricity Institute said during a volcano roundtable event last week Alvarado said these lava fragments actually create a natural form of glass which when inhaled can pose serious health risks to both animals and humans the elderly and people with pre-existing respiratory problems are especially at risk when breathing in ash “At this point there have been very few serious health problems to arise throat problems and burning in the eyes or skin.” Esquivel said “As more people are regularly exposed to volcanic ash we expect to see these problems in a larger portion of the population.” TIMELINE: A history of major volcanic eruptions in Costa Rica contaminate water supplies and damage electronic equipment The ash has already done its fair share of damage Three schools in the area have been forced to close each time the volcano erupts And there have been reports of some residents developing respiratory problems While the immediate vicinity of the volcano is the most vulnerable to ash damage emergency officials are growing increasingly concerned about the rest of the country some of these volcanic episodes will bring ash over San José and the surrounding metropolitan area,” Esquivel said “This will happen more often if the eruptions increase.” San José’s greater metropolitan area houses more than half of Costa Rica’s population and virtually all of the country’s industry the city’s high concentration of electronic equipment is at great risk for damage as the presence of ash becomes more frequent The National Emergency Commission is preparing for the worst case scenario where Turrialba’s explosions become much stronger similar to those of the Irazú volcano in the 1960s which regularly showered San José with ash “We can’t predict with 100 percent certainty what will happen on any given day,” Esquivel said Turrialba Volcano National Park will remain closed until at least November 19 due to the ongoing threat of volcanic activity According to the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) sensors continue to detect an increase of volcanic gases — including sulfur dioxide — at Turrialba authorities will keep the park closed as a precautionary measure while the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI) continues monitoring the stratovolcano Turrialba Volcano National Park was closed starting November 3 A column of ash rose 200 meters above the crater (about 3,540 meters above sea level) during the event Turrialba Volcano National Park reopened last December It had been closed to the public since 2012 when the volcano increased in activity and experienced several moderate-sized eruptions authorities had maintained a 2 km forbidden zone around the crater ash from Turrialba suspended flights at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) near San José But the stratovolcano had decreased in activity over recent years and SINAC constructed safety shelters and barriers — in addition to mandating hard hats — as safety measures for visitors to the active crater on clear days visitors can enjoy magnificent views of the Caribbean plains Some 84 species of birds and 11 species of mammals inhabit the park Visiting Turrialba Volcano involves a 4 km (2.5 mile) hike of moderate to high difficulty from the entrance to the craters. Visitors must make prior reservations by calling 8534-1063 and enter at Finca Monte Calas (Google Maps link) The cost is 6,000 colones for the required guide plus 1,000 colones for citizens/residents and $12 for non-residents Scientists believe they’ve found fresh lava at Costa Rica’s Turrialba Volcano which may indicate that the volcano has moved into a more active phase During a field inspection Friday morning, scientists with the University of Costa Rica’s National Seismological Network (RSN) confirmed the presence of lava at Turrialba, located 50 kilometers northeast of the capital San José. The volcano has been experiencing violent eruptions since last October According to a post on the network’s Facebook page, volcanologists found what they believe to be large blocks of fresh, cooled lava near the crater of the volcano. They think that the lava was ejected during an eruption on April 7 at 2:07 a.m. when the volcano was observed ejecting hot rocks and ash two kilometers into the sky Volcanologists have suspected the volcano may be erupting fresh lava since incandescent material was observed near the crater during an eruption on March 12 The RSN said discovery of the fragments on Friday confirms that juvenile lava material is being ejected from the volcano But vulcanologists with the National University’s Volcanological and Seismological Observatory (OVSICORI) — Costa Rica’s other leading authority on volcanoes and earthquakes — say more studies need to be conducted before the rocks can be confirmed as fresh lava “So far we have only seen photos of these fragments,” María Martínez “While these fragments could be fresh lava the fragments displayed by RSN appear to have undergone a chemical reaction This indicates that the magma — which is the same hot fluid as lava but still inside the volcano — may have undergone a chemical cooling process underground is that a chunk of old cooled magma inside the volcano was dislodged during the last explosion the fragments would not be considered fresh lava Regardless of whether or not the fragments are lava OVSICORI said that the April 7 eruption marked a significant step forward in volcanic activity at Turrialba During field inspections more than a day after the eruption scientists used a thermal imaging camera to study the volcano and noticed that some of the rocks ejected during the eruption were unusually hot “We’ve reached the conclusion that the rocks ejected during the April 7 eruption are coming from much deeper within the volcano,” Martínez said “The eruptions are coming from gradually deeper areas and building pressure that could bring magma towards the surface.” That means the magma inside Turrialba Volcano could be much closer to the crater than scientists originally thought both RSN and OVSICORI have estimated the magma inside Turrialba to be around three kilometers below the earth’s surface But the hot rocks reveal that it may be closer to one kilometer below the surface This also means that the rocks recovered by RSN very well could be fresh lava which indicates the volcano has passed on to a more serious phase of activity Turrialba Volcano has been in a phreatic eruption phase since 2010, where water is heated below the volcano’s surface and ejected out of the crater along with ash, gas and sometimes rocks. The presence of fresh lava would mean Turrialba is in a phreatomagmatic phase where magma is also lifted to the surface during an eruption Phreatomagmatic eruptions often eject large rocks can shoot lava and are much more dangerous If Turrialba has entered a phreatomagmatic phase then eruptions will become more frequent and violent and will require the country to begin considering taking more protective measures “This could become a big problem for the country,” Martínez said “The people who live in the area are exposed to greater and greater danger every day.” The Omar Salazar Obando Museum in Turrialba has opened a new exhibition titled “Guayabo: The Journey of Our People” showcasing 60 pre-Columbian artifacts from Guayabo and Turrialba The exhibition commemorates the 50th anniversary of Guayabo National Monument’s establishment as a preserved archaeological site Many of the artifacts on display are making their public debut in Turrialba through this collaborative effort between the Atlantic Headquarters the School of Anthropology at the University of Costa Rica (UCR) The pieces span a timeline from the early 19th century to present day emphasized the importance of this exhibition in honoring the ancient cultures that inhabited Guayabo and the greater Turrialba valley long ago Visitors can expect to see diverse artifacts ranging from larger items like tables and tombstones to smaller objects related to food preparation and consumption The exhibition will remain open free to the public until August 24 It operates Monday through Friday from 8:30am to noon and 1pm to 4:30pm archaeologists believed pre-Columbian people in Costa Rica’s Central Valley subsisted mainly on maize like Mesoamerican groups new evidence suggests their diet was more varied Excavations by UCR archaeologists at Guayabo under the National Museum’s supervision uncovered remains of legumes Researchers propose the fish originated from today’s Caribbean coast This discovery sheds light on previously unknown cultural exchanges and trade routes Marking its 50th year as a protected site, Guayabo National Monument has been vital in unearthing new archaeological insights It spans 20 hectares in the Turrialba district of Santa Teresita Although inhabited from 1000 BC to 1400 AD Guayabo flourished between 900-1100 AD when most existing infrastructure was built The new exhibition honors this rich cultural history Costa Rica’s Agriculture and Livestock Minister Luis Felipe Arauz confirmed Thursday morning that crops of carrots cauliflower and potatoes grown north of the province of Cartago “have not been severely affected by the Turrialba Volcano’s activity.” Arauz is part of a group led by President Luis Guillermo Solís that early Thursday visited several communities affected by the volcano’s gases, ash and rock. Officials assessed local access roads and the condition of crops and livestock Geologists and volcanologists from the National Seismological Network (RSN) continue to permanently monitor the volcano’s crater Volcanologist Raúl Mora on Thursday said that Turrialba’s seismic activity has decreased slightly and is less intense despite the continued expulsion of volcanic material A preventive Yellow Alert remains in effect for local communities and public access remains closed for farms inside a one-kilometer security perimeter around the crater National Emergency Commission (CNE) officials said it is still safe to visit most of the communities north of Cartago and access is only blocked inside the security perimeter The Turrialba Volcano is located about 60 kilometers northeast of the Costa Rican capital CNE President Iván Brenes said the agency is evaluating a downgrade of the alert level to Green in some communities RSN staff is measuring gas emissions to evaluate the possible effects of acid rain in the surrounding areas Officials from the Agriculture and Livestock Ministry have advised farm owners to spray animals and crops with calcium oxide to minimize the effects of acidity in the air The ministry’s latest report indicates that 180 hectares have been affected on some level but the ministry’s director of extension services said there currently is no cause for concern about long-term consequences for human health President Solís asked residents to remain calm He also extended an invitation to travelers to visit local tourist destinations that are outside the security perimeter Solís did express concern about the deteriorated conditions of a 25-km road that connects the volcano with the community of Pacayas which emergency officials believe would be the best evacuation route in case of an emergency Repairs of the road were included in a ₡400 million ($740,000) maintenance contract signed by the National Roadway Council but only ₡290 million ($536,000) has been spent “Yet the road shows no signs of progress,” Public Works and Transport Minister Carlos Segnini said The minister said he would order an investigation of the project Education Minister Sonia Marta Mora reported that classes had resumed at nine public schools located northeast of Cartago The ministry last week suspended classes in 19 schools as a preventive measure Turrialba Volcano National Park is temporarily closed due to a volcanic eruption that occurred Wednesday morning According to a report issued by the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI) the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) announced that Turrialba Volcano National Park will remain closed to visitors on November 3-4 People who had reservations to visit the protected area will be contacted in order to reschedule their visit To ensure visitor safety near the active crater authorities have constructed safety shelters and barriers Visiting Turrialba Volcano involves a 4 km (2.5 mile) hike of moderate to high difficulty from the entrance to the craters. Visitors must make prior reservations by calling 8534-1063 and enter at Finca Monte Calas (Google Maps link) Recommended: Turrialba tourism businesses keep on working as experts monitor heavy volcanic activity nearby Among the observations by volcanologists conducting weekend inspections in the area around Costa Rica’s Turrialba Volcano were craters in the earth measuring up to one meter in diameter – the result of rocks shooting out from the volcano Experts from the National Seismological Network (RSN) and the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI) conducted the inspections in light of significant activity at the volcano that started last week RSN volcanologist Gino González Ilama said the areas of impact are located on the south side of the volcano and cover 80 percent of the slope up to 400 meters from the volcano’s crater “We observed the impact of volcanic rock that had caused several craters on the ground We believe the rocks were shot out of the volcano at speeds greater than 100 kilometers per hour and this proves there is strong activity inside,” González said See also: Turrialba Volcano eruption in Costa Rica: Photos from the web Expelled ash again reached several areas north of San José located 60 kilometers southwest of the volcano and several areas in the provinces of Alajuela it was the first time ash had appeared in Limón “The Turrialba Volcano is very active,” González said. “The hole formed after the first explosion has grown and is about 150 meters long and 100 meters wide and the volcano’s walls continue collapsing because explosions of gas Volcanologists on Sunday reported two types of eruptions taking place: phreatic – which entails gases mud and ash – and strombolian – which contains magma and ash Turrialba Volcano showed signs of activity in 2010 with phreatic explosions magma hasn’t been expelled from the volcano since 1866 Watch a video of the hole inside the crater by OVSICORI volcanologist Geoffroy Avard The video shows an increase in the hole’s diameter: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=747723955264865&set=vb.106757629361504&type=3&theater The ash-rich and continuous nature of the eruption suggests (to me) that we're seeing new magma erupting from the vent rather than pulverized old dome material but we won't know this for sure until the ash can be examined Inspectors from the National Animal Health Service (SENASA)  are struggling to manage more than 400 neglected dogs discovered during farm inspections following last week’s phreatic eruptions at the Turrialba Volcano Although most of the dogs live on farms with their owners SENASA officials said that many are malnourished “The conditions these dogs live in is very poor,” said Allan Sánchez “Many of them are used for hunting and only fed occasionally by their owners.” SENASA officials have distributed 200 kilograms of dog food to the neglected animals and are conducting a massive spay and neutering operation in an attempt to control the population Exacerbating the dogs’ poor health is the volcanic ash itself Sánchez estimates that at least half of the dogs in the region have breathed in too much ash and are therefore vulnerable to lung sicknesses SENASA is advising dog owners to keep their pets in the house or in barns to protect them from the ash SENASA officials are now distributing medical supplies for dogs and livestock in the area While the majority of the dogs are in bad condition SENASA has no legal right to remove them from their owners Costa Rica decriminalized animal cruelty in 2002 and the lack of clarity in the current laws prevents SENASA or animal advocate groups from acting on most negligence cases the new animal mistreatment law would levy penalties on pet owners for negligence For now, the Turrialba Volcano dogs will remain with their owners, but SENASA is asking the public for dog food donations. For people interested in donating dog food, contact the  Turrialba United Association for Animals If Volcán Turrialba plans to adhere to the saying, “Begin as you mean to go on,” then we could be in for an explosive 2017. Ashfall from the volcano, located in Cartago, east of San José, put the Central Valley under green alert on Thursday patios and floors across the region with ash throughout the weekend Readers all over the greater San José area reported that Turrialba had them busy sweeping cleaning and generally coping with the ashfall that has become part of life in the city; as throughout recent months experiences with the ash seem to vary widely based not only on homes’ distance from Turrialba but also on their orientation and exposure as well as prevailing winds and other factors Stay tuned throughout the week as we continue to monitor the situation and check out these images from the past few days’ Turrialba activity Explosions and ash spewing forth from Turrialba Volcano, located some 70 Kilometers (43 miles) northeast of San José, increased this week, volcanologists from the University of Costa Rica and the National University reported Friday The second explosion on Friday formed an ash column of approximately 300 meters (985 feet) above the volcano’s crater, according to reports from the National University’s Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI) Mauricio Mora, a volcanologist with the University of Costa Rica’s National Seismological Network (RSN) said in a public report that activity at Turrialba between Dec 15 – 27 was mostly low with very low seismic activity and sporadic and weak ash spewings we recorded an increase in seismic activity with volcanic tremors lasting between 4-7 minutes,” he said This spike in the activity resulted in a strong explosion at 23:00 hours that hurled incandescent rocks around the crater https://www.facebook.com/OVSICORI/videos/1184973441539912/ Mora said that ash plumes of up to 500 meters (1,640 ft) formed this week above Turrialba’s crater strong gusts of wind took ashes to several locations across the Central Valley People reported ashfall in Cartago and San José and as far away as the province of Heredia Messages on OVSICORI and RSN’s social media profiles reported ashfall and sulfur odors in several communities in Turrialba and northern Cartago There are also reports from San José residents in Coronado According to the National Meteorological Institute (IMN) the influence over Costa Rica of a cold front located in the northern Caribbean Sea increased the intensity of the trade winds starting Friday evening Strong gusts will continue over the weekend gusts could reach average speeds of up to 70 Kilometers per hour (43 mph) and maximum speeds up to 90 km/h (56 mph) it started a new eruptive cycle with periodic ash and vapor explosions up to 4,000 meters (13,100 ft) above its crater Emergency agencies maintain a security perimeter of two kilometers around the volcano park rangers recently reported that groups of tourists have been entering the restricted area to observe the explosions Recommended: Flooding, ashfall, strong winds top Costa Rica’s natural disaster list this year After a string of eruptions during the last week Costa Rica’s National Emergency Commission announced Monday that it would expand security measures around the volcano The total area under restricted access extends five kilometers from the crater The commission — known by the acronym CNE — announced that the area within two kilometers of the crater is off limits to all visitors and inhabitants The remaining three kilometers outside the closed area are only accessible by farmers and ranchers with property in the area and they must be accompanied by an employee from the Agriculture and Livestock Ministry authorities started to evacuate animals from the area around the crater The National Animal Health Service estimated that there were a total of 279 animals on 13 farms within the two-kilometer ring around the crater Classes are currently suspended at the nearby school of El Volcán in the town of La Central Students from the Unidad Pedagógica El Torito were relocated to the Colegio de Santa Teresita to take their high school exit exams Turrialba National Park is closed to the public at this time but the town of Turrialba and surrounding towns are not in danger Since Oct. 23, Turrialba Volcano has seen a series of increasingly strong eruptions, including one on Saturday afternoon that launched a column of ash 1,000 meters into the air CNE said that the volcano has averaged an eruption every hour during the last week A yellow alert remains in effect for the cantons of Turrialba and Alvarado Situation AnalysisDescription of the Disaster the Turrialba Volcano –located in the Canton of Turrialba in the Province of Cartago with an approximate elevation of 3,340 meters above sea level and a volcanic edifice 1,900 meters high - commenced eruptive activity characterized by ash expulsions Three events of this same type were registered on the same day at 10:52 As a result of these eruptions and due to wind conditions prevailing in the Central Valley area a dispersion cloud formed covering most of the northern Central Valley sector The cloud caused the interruption of operations for over 24 hours at the Juan Santamaría International Airport This situation caused alarm among the population in the affected areas given that the Turrialba Volcano has been active since 2001 with increased activity since 2010 This is the first time that ash has rained down with this intensity The National Risk Prevention and Emergency Care Commission (C.N.E for its Spanish acronym) alerted the Technical Advisory Committee on Volcanology to conduct the relevant scientific studies around the situation so that first responder institutions and other government agencies could have the necessary data for appropriate decision-making The Cantons of Alvarado and Turrialba are currently under a Yellow Alert due to their proximity to the volcano The Costa Rican government is focusing work on four key actions: Responding to the impact on agriculture and livestock Turrialba in Cartago province and Rincón de la Vieja in Guanacaste began to show increased activity over the weekend according to researchers from the University of Costa Rica (UCR) and the National University An explosion of ash and rocks was recorded at Turrialba Volcano at 3 a.m. on Saturday. The dark column of ash was visible next to the white column of vapor and gases that has been rising from the crater over the past few weeks The UCR’s National Seismological Network (RSN) reported that seismic activity around the volcano increased following Saturday’s explosion Between Friday morning and the early hours of Monday many of them hurling ash and rock out of the crater Wind conditions around the volcano have been mild which has helped keep ash from spreading far from the crater Most ash has fallen within the perimeter of Turrialba Volcano National Park Public posts on RSN’s Facebook profile indicate that most of the ash found outside of the park has fallen within a 3-kilometer radius around the volcano Residents in these areas said the air smelled strongly of sulfur over the weekend On Monday afternoon, the National Emergency Commission (CNE) called on the population to remain calm CNE President Iván Brenes said the increase in the volcano’s activity has caused classes to be suspended at five public schools in Turrialba He said officials are monitoring crops for the presence of ash and checking for possible harm to animals on the numerous dairy farms in the northern part of Turrialba canton Access to the national park within a three-kilometer radius has been closed to visitors since 2012 CNE extended the banned area to five kilometers But Brenes said tourists can still visit other destinations in Turrialba The area is popular for its mountain hotels and excellent rafting and kayaking rivers Watch one of the ash explosions recorded by an RSN webcam at 7:34 a.m https://www.facebook.com/RSN.CR/videos/1118119261584979/?hc_location=ufi OVSICORI reported a moderate explosion at Rincón de la Vieja Volcano on Sunday at 2:37 p.m OVSICORI instruments also recorded an increase in seismic activity for some 11 minutes following the explosion Volcanologists ruled out a possible relation between activity at the two volcanoes and noted that Rincón de la Vieja has been active for several months at least two major explosions were recorded at the Guanacaste volcano One of them, on March 9, left ash on the roofs of homes within a six-kilometer radius around the volcano mainly in communities north of the crater in Upala and Buenos Aires On March 15, another explosion formed a column of vapor and gases that reached more than 700 meters high After three people broke into a protected area in Turrialba Volcano National Park on Saturday and photographed themselves at the active volcano’s crater authorities reiterated their warnings to the population A statement from the National Emergency Commission (CNE) on Wednesday included “complete rejection of… a group of unscrupulous people” who showed “imprudent audacity” by visiting the crater as monitored by the Technical Advisory Committee on Volcanology includes rocks of various sizes that are frequently expelled from the crater The crater also releases highly toxic gases at high concentrations and temperatures the environment at the crater is “hostile and harmful to life,” the statement said adding that it is unacceptable to potentially require rescue teams to put their own lives in danger to save illegal visitors CNE spokewoman Nancy Madrigal said that authorities called the police but that the visitors who had broken down the gates of the protected area Turrialba Volcano has shown renewed activity in recent years showering much of the Central Valley with ash on a regular basis Scraping ash off windshields or even interior surfaces in homes has become a part of San José chores while it has had much more serious consequences for agriculture and daily life in areas closer to the volcano itself This video of Costa Rica’s Turrialba Volcano will blow your mind Turrialba Volcano increased its activity once more over the weekend with vapor, gas and ash explosions, volcanologists from the University of Costa Rica (UCR) and the National University (UNA) reported Activity at the volcano, located in the province of Cartago, some 70 kilometers (43 miles) northeast of San José, remained low during the past three weeks, with mostly low-intensity tremors, the UCR’s National Seismological Network (RSN) reported RSN volcanologist Mauricio Mora indicated in a written report that ash and vapor spewings of almost 500 meters (1,640 feet) above the crater resumed on Jan along with an increase in volcanic tremors UNA’s Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI) reported a strong explosion at 10:30 a.m the RSN reported another explosion at 8:46 a.m Turrialba entered an active phase in October 2014 and has since presented numerous explosions of ash and gas OVSICORI experts noted that they found rocks up to 2 meters (6.5 ft) in diameter in the surroundings of the crater In September 2016, the volcano began a new eruptive cycle that has generated ash columns of up to 4,000 meters (13,000 ft) above the crater Access to Turrialba Volcano National Park is currently closed and emergency agencies maintain a security perimeter of two kilometers around the crater park rangers have reported that groups of tourists have been entering the restricted area to observe the explosions Strong gusts of winds are carrying ash into the area northwest of the crater Ash reached various communities in the Central Valley Posts on the RSN and OVSICORI social media profiles reported ash fall and the smell of sulfur in several communities Most of those reports are from residents of Coronado The National Meteorological Institute (IMN) on Monday reported the influence over Costa Rica of a cold front that entered the country on Sunday from the northern Caribbean Sea The weather phenomenon is increasing the intensity of winds in the Central Valley and in the province of Guanacaste The IMN reported that gusts in the first half of this week will oscillate between 60-80 kilometers (37-50 miles) https://www.facebook.com/RSN.CR/videos/vb.266416453421935/1357075511022685 Two new explosion of gas and ash Friday mid-morning broke a brief period of low activity at Turrialba Volcano The new explosions follow one that occurred at 4:30 a.m. Friday and four on Thursday The Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI)’s web cameras recorded the explosions Friday The agency reported that columns of material reached some 1,500 meters high (4,921 feet) Spewings of ash and gases lasted for periods of some 30 minutes https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=809637015740225 Volcanologists are currently examining samples of materials expelled by the volcano in order to determine whether there’s fresh magma a volcanologist with OVSICORI’s Volcano Surveillance Department we don’t have any visual confirmation on magma levels rising up,” he said “however the characteristics of the explosions suggest magma levels could be increasing inside the crater,” he said Friday morning National Police officers closed all main access roads to the volcano allowing passage only to residents and workers in nearby communities Following recommendations of the National Emergency Commission Public Education Ministry officials suspended classes in 19 schools: 12 in Turrialba and 7 in other cantons of Cartago Hundreds of people reacted with alarm Friday morning to rumors circulating on social networks that the water supply in the metropolitan area had been contaminated by ash But Costa Rica’s Water and Sewer Institute (AyA) reported Friday that the volcano’s activity had not affected drinking water AyA Executive President Yamileth Astorga said the rumors were completely false “At the time there is no need to issue any public alert on water contamination,” she said Astorga said experts at AyA’s National Water Laboratory are conducting frequent monitoring at all water distribution plants AyA would immediately  cut off the contaminated supply Astorga advised the population to keep fresh water on hand as a precaution in case any increase in the volcano’s activity compromises the water supply in coming days The consequences of heavy and persistent rainfall continue to impact Costa Rica on Friday particularly in the canton of Turrialba and on the Caribbean The following cantons are under a Red Alert indicating a large-scale emergency response and evacuations: Turrialba Houses and businesses have flooded in the cantons of Guatuso At least one home was destroyed in Paraíso Turrialba has accumulated 545 mm of rain in 36 hours equivalent to twice the normal amount for all of July according to the National Meteorological Institute (IMN) Turrialba has received 720 mm of rainfall this month Turrialba Volcano, located 50 kilometers east of Costa Rica’s capital, this month has recorded an increase in activity that so far includes five ash, gas and vapor explosions. The most recent event occurred on Monday at 5:33 p.m., according to the University of Costa Rica’s National Seismological Network (RSN). The explosion formed an ash plume of about one kilometer high, similar to that reported during another explosion on Sunday that also included gas emanations. https://www.facebook.com/RSN.CR/videos/1060822293981343/ Earlier on Monday RSN monitoring systems recorded an explosion at 10:24 a.m. that formed an ash plume of about 400 meters high, but shortly after it moved towards the Braulio Carrillo National Park area, the agency reported. Other similar explosions occurred Saturday at 1:50 p.m. and Sunday at 10:26 p.m. RSN volcanologist Raúl Mora said experts noticed an increase in Turrialba’s activity since late January, along with a spike in seismic activity. So far this month the RSN has registered tremors of moderate magnitudes in the area. Last Wednesday, Feb. 3 at 9:40 a.m., a strong, magnitude-4.4 temblor with an epicenter located 17 kilometers west of the Caribbean canton of Guápiles was reported by residents in Limón, Cartago and San José. On Monday at 1:40 p.m., a magnitude-3.8 temblor was recorded in Santa Rosa de Turrialba, while at 9:04 a.m. on Tuesday, RSN reported a magnitude-2.9 temblor with an epicenter located 15 kilometers west of Guápiles, near the Turrialba area. RSN experts believe more explosions likely will occur in coming days, and that considering current weather conditions, ash could reach some other areas in the Central Valley. For tourists traveling to Costa Rica, the National Emergency Commission maintains a yellow, or preventive, alert for all areas surrounding Turrialba, and access to some areas is currently closed to visitors. Forest corridors in the Turrialba region, Costa Rica © Christian Brenez, CATIE PeriodFrom January 2021 to January 2023 Funding Agence française de développement (AFD) As regards strengthening the national Land use, land cover and ecosystems monitoring system (SIMOCUTE) and its uptake by the institutional partners, the project activities are organised around two “work packages” (WPs) or “types of action”: With regard to support for FONAFIFO, the goal is to develop a tool to assess the ecological impact of Costa Rica’s PES policy, through three WPs: In the framework of this project, CIRAD and CATIE are helping to define a national strategy to monitor ecosystems and to assess Costa Rica’s PES policy, in particular with the Ministry of Environment. This project aims to disseminate the remote sensing and spatial modelling tools and methodologies developed by CIRAD/CATIE to all technicians working in the different government institutes. From a scientific viewpoint, this project is developing a methodology to assess the impact of a PES policy on two service indicators at the landscape level. The French agricultural research and international cooperation organization working for the sustainable development of tropical and Mediterranean regions. CloseA volcano has erupted in central Costa Rica belching smoke and ash up to 3,000m (9,840ft) into the air about 45km (30 miles) west of the Turrialba volcano said layers of ash had coated buildings and cars and there was a fierce smell of sulphur Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRead descriptionExplore moreDramatic eruption of Costa Rica volcano 00:00:38Dramatic eruption of Costa Rica volcano 0:38Up Next 00:00:31Explosive volcano captured on camera 0:31Mexico volcano Popocatepetl spews ash 00:00:45Mexico volcano Popocatepetl spews ash 0:45Ecuador volcano erupts 0:37Editor's recommendationsWatch: Prince Louis steals the show as royals mark VE Day 00:01:15Watch: Prince Louis steals the show as royals mark VE Day 1:15Watch: How Lady Gaga's record-breaking concert almost ended in disaster Video 00:01:21Watch: How Lady Gaga's record-breaking concert almost ended in disaster 1:21'Trump was the game-changer': Three things to know about the Australian election result 00:01:20'Trump was the game-changer': Three things to know about the Australian election result 1:20Prince Harry 'can't see a world' where his family will visit the UK 00:02:54Prince Harry 'can't see a world' where his family will visit the UK 2:54Watch: Key moments from the local elections.. 00:01:32Watch: Key moments from the local elections.. 1:32Watch: Reform by-election win raises questions for Labour and Tories 00:01:11Watch: Reform by-election win raises questions for Labour and Tories 1:11Russell Brand's court appearance explained.. 00:00:50Russell Brand's court appearance explained.. 0:50Ros Atkins on.. What's in the US-Ukraine resources deal 1:23Kamala Harris hits out at Trump in first major speech since losing election 00:01:18Kamala Harris hits out at Trump in first major speech since losing election 1:18Watch: Moment Columbia student Mohsen Mahdawi is released 00:00:46Watch: Moment Columbia student Mohsen Mahdawi is released 0:46Watch video shown to jurors in Sycamore Gap tree trial 00:01:17Watch video shown to jurors in Sycamore Gap tree trial If your daily experience of Costa Rica’s Turrialba Volcano you have lost a laptop to persistent ashfall – it can be easy to forget that the source of this daily annoyance is actually awesome This video will change all that. Cusuko Fotografía compiled the images from several months of its footage Shot in part at the Hacienda La Central – Volcán Turrialba “I’ve gone many times to take in this imposing colossus… the weather has not always been optimal but I always enjoy being there,” photographer Iván Salazar Cusuko’s wrote in the Facebook post where he shared the video Then I began working with Volcanes Sin Fronteras-VSF Experts from the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI) are closely following an increase in incandescence in the crater of Turrialba Volcano that The agency on Friday morning reported that despite dense vapor trails over the crater it was possible to see a reddish glow That glow “signals a high flow of thermal energy inside the crater from a semi-crystallized magma body close to the surface,” the report noted Current weather conditions in the area have prevented OVSICORI staff from approaching or conducting flyovers with a drone over the crater they have not been able to determine the exact origin of the incandescence or measure the depth of the magma body located some 70 Kilometers (43 miles) northeast of San José has presented incandescence and spewings of incandescent materials in the past though “expelled materials usually land in the surroundings of the crater and have not posed any risk to nearby communities,” the agency noted Spewings of incandescent materials at Turrialba are similar to those that have occurred for decades at Arenal Volcano OVSICORI volcanologist Marino Protti said in a Facebook comment that the incandescence coming out of the crater occurs because of high temperatures of rocks and gases inside See the incandescence visible through the vapor and ash plume on the crater https://www.facebook.com/OVSICORI/videos/vb.106757629361504/1223740067663249/ OVSICORI also reported continued ash spewings over the past several days although at lower intensities than those recorded last month Ash and gas explosions in the first days of January prompted the National Emergency Commission to declare a Green —Informative— Alert for the Central Valley agroup of volcanologists found rocks from a magmatic eruption a full 200 meters (656 feet) from the crater OVSICORI last year warned that spewings of incandescent materials at Turrialba could increase in frequency and volume volcanologists at the time noted that this is an expected behavior for an active volcano Not to be outdone by its cousin to the west Turrialba Volcano has been steaming — literally — after the attention Arenal Volcano got for releasing smoke-like vapor in recent days The Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI) reported Wednesday that the same phenomenon that attracted attention to Arenal which has been largely quiet for several years now was at work in the crater of Turrialba Volcano The smoking crater is, in fact, rain water turned into steam by geothermal heat from the interior of the colossus Heavy rains falling on the volcano during the last several days seep into the volcano and escape out the volcano as steam in fumarole-like plumes but this recent steam does not mark a change in the volcano’s activity The same effect was observed at Arenal Volcano recently Arenal is still considered active but has fallen into what scientists expect to be a long slumber since its dramatic eruptions stopped in 2010 OVSICORI has not registered any magmatic gasses or internal seismic activity at Arenal Turrialba Volcano, on the other hand, has been much more active lately. A rash of ash eruptions blanketed the surrounding countryside and reached San José and beyond earlier this year. Civil aviation authorities even closed the country’s main airport several times because of ash in the air and on the runway Costa Rica’s main international airport remains open after Turrialba Volcano erupted again Friday morning in the latest of a series of powerful recent eruptions While the airport is operating normally at this writing some airlines have canceled or delayed flights into Costa Rica The eruption at 7:20 am Friday was one of the most dramatic in the last month, shooting a column of ash a staggering 3 km into the air according to National University’s Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica Spirit and Aeromexico to cancel flights Friday morning the company that operates Juan Santamaría International Airport United Airlines rerouted a flight to Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia The volcano’s eruption Thursday afternoon sent ash as high as 1.2 kilometers into the air United canceled two flights arriving from Houston and some domestic TACA flights were canceled flying into Juan Santamaría from Tambor Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Delta and Aeromexico all diverted flights into the Alajuela airport Thursday evening, according to flight information from Aeris and FlightRadar24 Chaves said that the airport is operating normally There is no alert for volcanic ash at this time but airport officials are monitoring the situation Airlines can decide to delay or cancel flights depending on conditions Travelers flying out of Costa Rica can check the status of their flight on the Juan Santamaría International Airport’s website Visitor access to Poás Volcano will remain closed indefinitely due to continuing gas and vapor eruptions that in some cases are hurling rocks through the air national park administrator Redy Conejo Aguilar said on Monday Eruptions over the weekend formed a white plume of up to one kilometer (3,280 feet) above the crater The two strongest eruptions occurred between 8:40 and 9 p.m Conejo told The Tico Times that the explosions on Sunday destroyed the dome around the crater’s famous lake and hurled rocks more than a kilometer through the air. Experts from the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica and the National Seismological Network (RSN) conducted an inspection of the park and found rocks ranging from 40 centimeters to 2 meters (1.3-6.5 ft) in diameter Some of these rocks fell on the tourist trails and even reached the viewpoints Some others broke the concrete floor and bent the tubes of the viewpoints’ metal fences The largest rock found so far — 2 meters across— landed about 30 meters (98 ft) from one of the tourist trails The rock fell onto a water pipe and broke it “It is impossible for us to allow the entrance of tourists under these conditions located 47 kilometers (29 miles) northwest of San José is the second most-visited national park in Costa Rica Conejo also said that besides falling rocks gas emissions are very strong as well and are carrying particles that can pose human health risks He added that the popular park cannot be reopened to the public until two conditions are met: experts must confirm that conditions in the volcano are stable and safe and park staff must conduct a damage assessment and repair all infrastructure damaged by falling rocks and sediment Blás Sánchez, a geologist with the National Emergency Commission (CNE) said on Monday that people in communities near Poás have noted a strong smell of sulfur the clear risks in the area around the crater has led the CNE to maintain a 5-kilometer perimeter The CNE established checkpoints last week at some roads near the park entrances and National Police officers are warning visitors The agency has since relocated these checkpoints to improve access to local businesses that rely heavily on tourists drawn to the area by the volcano located some 70 kilometers (43 miles) northeast of San José CNE’s Sánchez confirmed that Turrialba keeps spewing “mostly vapor and ash.” On Monday morning the plume of vapor rose about 500 meters (1,640 ft) above the volcano’s summit and was seen to be heading south of the crater Sánchez emphazised that there is no a connection between the magmatic chambers of Poás and Turrialba volcanoes; their activity is unrelated located some 50 kilometers east of the capital increased significantly on Thursday with constant emanations of ash and at least three big explosions According to the University of Costa Rica’s National Seismological Network (RSN) and formed a plume of gas and ash that reached nearly 1 km high The column of gases and ash at about 4:20 p.m rose to more than 500 meters above the crater and wind conditions at that time caused ash to disperse from the volcano https://www.facebook.com/OVSICORI/videos/1008949172475674/ Ash has been reported in San José and Heredia provinces On Wednesday, the National Emergency Commission (CNE) established a 5-km restricted access area around the volcano Entrance to the Turrialba Volcano National Park has been closed to all visitors since 2014 CNE geologist Blas Sánchez said ash and other materials from the explosions are visible on various farms located west of the volcano He also reported that ash is accumulating in various nearby rivers recent rains have helped remove some of the material has thus far continued to operate normally The CNE maintains a yellow caution alert for the Cartago cantons of Turrialba and Alvarado