Arenal Volcano - Costa Rica
N 10° 27.663 W 084° 43.723
16P E 748624 N 1157283
Quick Description: Arenal Volcano (or Volcán Arenal in Spanish) is an active volcano in northwestern Costa Rica about 90 kilometers northwest of San José in the province of Alajuela, canton of San Carlos, and district of La Fortuna.
Location: Costa Rica
Date Posted: 4/23/2008 3:15:00 PM
Waymark Code: WM3N6W
Views: 68
Long Description:The coordinates take you to a safe viewing location in Arenal
Volcano National Park, which encompasses the Arenal Volcano. This
volcano is the most active one in Costa Rica and had previously
been believed to be dormant until a major eruption in 1968. We got
as close to the volcano as we were allowed per park signage.
From "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arenal_Volcano"
target="_blank">Wikipedia: "Recognized as a volcano since the
19th century, it was known by foreign investigators as Volcan Costa
Rica, Rio Frio, Canastos Volcano and Cerro de los Guatusos. Arenal
is the youngest and most active of all the mountains in Costa Rica.
Scientists have been able to date it back to more than 4000 years
ago. The area remained largely unexplored until 1937, when a
documented expedition took place to reach the summit."
"Once locally known as Cerro Arenal (i.e. Mount Arenal) it was
presumed extinct until July 29, 1968 when an earthquake caused it
to erupt after approximately 400 years of dormancy. The eruption
wiped out the town of Arenal and killed 87 people. It lasted for
several days, and during that time destroyed crops, property,
livestock, and forests. 15 square kilometers were buried and the
explosion affected over 232 square kilometers. The eruption caused
three new and active craters to form. Before the eruption, there
was a wide variety of plant and wildlife on the mountain. It has
been active since the explosion and can be reported to have minor
eruptions every 5-10 minutes."
"Arenal rises 1657 metres above sea level and overlooks Lake
Arenal; both are part of Arenal Volcano National Park. The
country's most active volcano, Arenal's eruptions are strombolian
in type, being frequent but moderate and can be viewed without
danger as long as the viewers are behind the safety perimeter. This
constant activity and minimal endangerment makes Arenal a popular
tourist destination, especially at night, because the lava and
incandescent rocks make a spectacular sight. The last major
eruption of Arenal occurred on August 23, 2000. Most of the time,
the volcano is surrounded by clouds near the tip, and it is touted
as good luck to see the whole volcano without clouds. The volcano
heats several hot springs nearby, including Tabacon, a popular
tourist destination."
"This is one of seven historically active Costa Rican volcanoes:
Poás, Irazú, Miravalles, Orosí, Rincón de la Vieja [complex], and
Turrialba."
Directions to Arenal Volcano National Park are available on the
park's webpage
"http://www.costarica-nationalparks.com/arenalnationalpark.html"
target="_blank">(visit link).