For the third consecutive day loud explosions were heard in central Costa Rica as the Turrialba volcano continues its active state on Friday. The volcanic activity begun on Wednesday, but the most powerful of the explosions occurred on Friday evening. Ash was also seen spewing into the air as high as 3 km above.
The volcano is located about 50 km east of the capital city of San Jose. The volcanic activity caused some air travel disruptions as some flights were cancelled or diverted.
The National Emergency Commission of Risk Emergency and National Response (CNE) have set up a 5 km perimeter around the crater for health and safety reasons. There were reports from downtown San Jose the some people had difficulty in breathing and eye irritation due to the falling ash.
The CNE has issued a yellow alert for the provinces of Alvarado and Turrialba. The ash has been accumulating in the nearby rivers and has been reported in San José and Heredia provinces.
Wind speed of upto 24 kmph was recorded at Juan Santamaría International Airport on Friday. The first reports of ash falling at the airport was on Thursday night and then again at Friday morning. The airport is located about 30 minutes away to the northwest of downtown San Jose.
The nation will be hit by scattered thunderstorms in the coming few days.
The volcanic ash can be harmful if inhaled as it contain tiny particles of rock which often can turn into volcanic glass.
There have been a number of volcanic eruptions around the world this past week. Eruptions have been reported in Mexico and Guatemala.
Image credit: ticotimes.net
