Arenal Volcano Costa Rica eruption update

The Arenal Volcano had several major eruptions on the 23third of August 2000, starting at 10h am, local time. Several hotels were temporarily evacuated as a safety measure, but all are now re-opened.

arenal volcano arenal costa rica eruptions arenal volcano costa rica photo

Photos: Costa Rica national newspaper La Nacion.

The strong ash and gas columns were more than 1 km high. Ash fall during the course of the eruptions brought some darkness to the vicinity of Arenal as far as the town of Tilarán, 20 km to the W. The number of pyroclastic flows (avalanche of hot gases, rocks and ashes) on that day was estimated to be at least 20.

Seismic data was collected by the Miravalles-Arenal Seismological and Volcanological Observatory (OSIVAM) and the National Seismological Network (RSN) over the months leading up to the 23 August event. Their instruments detected an increase in the tremor signals several hours before the first outburst, and the seismic noise was stronger during subsequent hours due to the flows that lasted until the late afternoon.

With a series of thunderous explosions, the Arenal produced one of its most dramatic eruptions since 1968 (according to local volcano specialists, and the tragically spectacular rescue of two badly burned U.S. tourists by their Costa Rican tour guide, Ignacio Protti, who later died of his own third-degree burns, as well as one of the tourist, one week later.

The three were observing the summit at 10 a.m. from a vantage point some two kilometers up on the north slope of Arenal, when a pyroclastic flow emerged from the crater and proceeded toward them at approximately 80 kilometers per hour. They probably got too close to the crater. Because of this sad event, part of the trails on the volcano are closed until further notice, for obvious safety reasons.

Incredibly, an airplane crashed into Arenal 3 days later, on the 26 August (impact site indicated on the illustration below). The plane carried ten people, two pilots and eight passengers. The plane had deviated 30 km from its normal route along the coast, probably to gain a closer view of the eruption, a fatal error.

All hotels in the Arenal area are at a safe distance of the volcano, but hiking on the volcano beyond the warning signs is extremely dangerous. The toxic hot gases released during an eruption are traveling very fast, faster than you can run.

The volcano Arenal is active everyday since 1968, but major eruptions forcing an evacuation is not common. Don't worry, it's quite safe to visit the area (if you respect the signs), Arenal is one of the most closely observed volcano in Costa Rica, with the Arenal / Miravalles volcanoes monitoring network.

Enjoy the amazing sight of one of the most active volcano in the world, but from a safe distance!


source: Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program, Arenal activity reports.	illustration, La Nacion