Eruptions at Turrialba Volcano resumed with three new explosions, one of which reached nearly 4,000 meters (13,100 feet) in height, according to reports from the National University (UNA).
Turrialba Volcano eruption (Photo taken from OVSICORI Facebook)
This series of eruptions of the Turrialba Volcano, located in Cartago province, some 50 kilometers east of San José, started at 2:53 a.m. (GMT -6) this morning.
The explosion launched ashes, gases and incandescent rocks into the air to about 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) above the volcano’s crater, UNA’s Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI) reported.
The second explosion occurred at 11:32 a.m. and spewed material about 13,000 feet into the air, the agency said.
OVSICORI volcanologist María Martínez said that after the second explosion, reports were received of ash falling in communities north and west of San José, including Coronado, Moravia, Tibás, Guadalupe, Escazú and as far away as Alajuela province.
A report from the University of Costa Rica’s National Seismological Network (RSN) states that the second explosion lasted about 13 minutes. RSN volcanologist Raul Mora said the explosion also launched a large amount of gas, ash and rocks into the air.
And there was a third one, very strong (Video below) at 15:34 . A cloud of ash is covering a big part of the Central Valley,
Ashfall over the runways at Juan Santamaría International Airport prompted a closure of the airport at 1:15 p.m.
Silvia Chaves, a spokeswoman for Aeris, the company that operates the airport, said the preventive closure caused the delay of eight departures and four arrivals.
Chavez said the airport will evaluate the reopening of the airport, pending the results of an inspection, later on Monday.
The Aviation Administration also confirmed the temporary closure of Tobías Bolaños Airport, west of San José.
Eruptive activity at Turrialba restarted last Sept. 13, following 44 days of minor events.
The Cartago volcano is one of Costa Rica’s five active volcanoes, along with Arenal, Poás, Irazú, and Rincón de la Vieja.
