Thursday afternoon the Poás Volcano recorded two new eruptions, described as “very violent” expulsions by Javier Pacheco for the Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica (Ovsicori) – the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica.
The Ovsicori reported two eruptions starting at 3:46pm, each lasting up to eight minutes.
Video from the Red Sismológica Nacional (RSN) – National Seismological Network.
The expulsion released large fragments of rock at high speed, as well as gases and ash. The force of the explosions damaged the surveillance camera, so the height of the eruption is unknown.
#VolcánPoás 13/04/2017 16:00
En vivo de https://t.co/lBAdmFIxvH
*Fallas de Origen pic.twitter.com/wtJF8kEiC5— Volcán Poás (@ElVolcanPoas) April 13, 2017
At the time of the eruptions there were no people in the are. On Thursday morning, following the eruption of Wednesday night, the National Park where the volcano is located, was closed and a ‘green alert’ is maintained for seven cantones.
Word from the Comisión Nacional de Emergencias (CNE) – National Emergencies Commision – is that the park will continue closed today, Friday.
However, given the area is an important tourist destination, authorities report the removal of barricades to the roads leading to the national park so as not to scare off tourism.
On Thursday, the police control post was some 3 kilometres from the park entrance, that affected the tourism and commercial area of Poasito, however, hours later the ban was lifted.
Several shops, including restaurants near the Poas volcano, had to close their doors on Thursday.
