The Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI) stressed the risk of visiting the area of Turrialba volcano, within a radius of 2 kilometers.
According to experts, the activity of the volcano represents a risk for people who want to get closer to the summit of the colossus.
Since 2010, the volcano has exhibited activity, emanating material even 1 kilometer away from the crater, as well as pyroplastic flows that have reached up to one and a half kilometers.
Since September 2016 we have been registering the most intense volcanic tremors since the volcano came into activity in the 1990s,
stated the entity in their Facebook wall.
Now, the colossus has strombolian (explosive) eruptions that throw fragments of hot rock which reach up to 500 meters high.
For some years, experts have recorded a deformation of the subsoil around and under the volcano, which indicates the intrusion of a magmatic body, which causes the seismic activity.
All this indicates that the volcano is active and will continue in a state of eruption for a prolonged period, until this magmatic body crystallizes and cools down. This body near the surface could come into contact with aquifers under the Turrialba, producing phreatomagmatic explosions of unpredictable consequences,
he adds.
According to the entity, the National Emergency Commission (CNE) prepared a map of volcanic hazards that indicates that this mountain is capable of producing large eruptions that could reach several kilometers.
If it has happened in the past, it can happen now. In a volcano such as Turrialba, which is clearly active, with an open system, that does not exhibit precursor activity distinguishable from high seismic activity, with fumarolic and eruptive activities before a large eruption, it is irresponsible to attract tourists to a high risk area, where a large disaster can occur without warning or with little notice,
emphasises the document.
In addition, the institution adds that “the Turrialba Volcano National Park lacks the minimum infrastructure to protect human lives in the event of a strong eruption. Access roads have never been suitable for four-wheel drive vehicles. In case of an eruption it would not be possible to evacuate the visitors in a reasonable time. At the top there is no infrastructure to guard against ballistic, column collapses and burning clouds.
In September 2014, 54 tourists who were visiting the volcano Ontake, Japan, died due to an eruption that occurred without warning. Today, the families of these 54 people are sueing the Japanese State for the deaths of their loved ones.
The wonder of an active volcano… can be appreciated in all its splendor in the surroundings areas, from a safe distance,
concluded OVSICORI.