www.CostaRicaTicas.com

A special bulletin from AM Costa Rica late this afternoon.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Latest news concerning the eruptions. From Inside Costa Rica Sunday 3/26/06

Poás Volcano Continues Activity, Six More Eruptions on Saturday
As predicted by the experts, the volcán Poás did not keep quiet during the day yesterday (Saturday) and continued to roar. The volcano awakened on Friday afternoon, with a quiet yawn, slowly increasing its activity.

Scientists monitoring the crater say that there were six more eruptions on Saturday, spewing out mud and causing the falling of acid rain in the area.

"It is important to clear up that the nearby towns are not in any danger. If that situation changes, we will notify everyone immediately", said Lidier Esquivel of the Comisión Nacional de Emergencia (CNE) - national emergency commission.

According to reports by the CNE, the Red Sismológica (earthquake network) of the Universidad de Costa Rica the (OVSICORI), and the UNA, the eruptions occurred at 6:50am, 1:11pm and spew reached a height of 30 to 50 metres (100 to 165 feet).

Since the first alert on Friday, the volcano has produced eight eruptions in total as of late last night.

The strongest of eruptions was recorded Friday night when the expulsion reached 200 metres (650 feet) in altitude from a crater that is about 300 metres (1.000 feet) in depth.

The acid rain yesterday reached the national park offices located some 800 metres (1/2 mile) from the crater. Experts assure that the acid rain was carried by the strong winds at the time and not the force of the eruption.

For the time being the park is closed off to visitors and will continue to do so for another day or so as preventative measure as scientists keep a watch on the activity.

The constant eruptions yesterday stopped scientists from climbing down into the crater. Tomás Marino of the OVSICORI said that his team will descent the crater today (Sunday) while Carlos Ramírez of the Red Sismológica said it will all depend on the weather conditions and the behaviour of the volcano.

Scientists say that the current activity at the Poás is different that the events of 1989 and 1994, this time the crater lagoon is much deeper than in the past.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

I guess this adds to the excitement of CR. Maybe another adventure for the up coming trip.