A cloud of gas and volcanic rocks sliding down Costa Rica's north-central Arenal Volcano caught the attention of residents and scientists yesterday morning.
This “pyroclastic flow” occurred at 10:12 a.m. west of the volcano's main crater and was observed from a lookout point inside the Arenal Volcano National Park, according to a statement from the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI) based at National University (UNA) in Heredia, north of San José.
A pyroclastic flow is an eruption of high-temperature gases, rocks and ash that makes its way down a volcano in the form of a cloud, explained OVSICORI volcanologist Rodolfo Van Der Laat. This phenomenon is not out of the ordinary for Arenal, especially during this time of year.
Yesterday's activity did not pose any threat to those living near the volcano, though it did catch residents' and tourists' attention, Van Der Laat said.
OVSICORI experts plan to fly over the volcano today to further investigate the situation. |
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