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| Arenal | |
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 Arenal in November 2006. |
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| Elevation | 1,670 metres (5,479 ft)[1] |
| Location | Alajuela Province, Costa Rica |
| Coordinates | 10°27′48″N 84°42′12″W / 10.46333°N 84.70333°WCoordinates: 10°27′48″N 84°42′12″W / 10.46333°N 84.70333°W |
| Type | Stratovolcano with lava domes |
| Last eruption | 1968 – 2009 (continually active) |
Arenal Volcano, in Spanish Volcán Arenal, is an active andesitic stratovolcano in north-western Costa Rica around 90 km north-west of San José, in the province of Alajuela, canton of San Carlos, and district of La Fortuna. The volcano rises 1,657 metres above sea level and overlooks Lake Arenal; both are part of Arenal Volcano National Park.
Arenal is one of seven historically active Costa Rican volcanoes: Poás, Irazú, Miravalles, Orosí, Rincón de la Vieja [complex], and Turrialba.
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History
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.
1968 – 2009 eruption
The volcano had been dormant since a VEI=2 eruption in 1922.[2] The eruption wiped out the town of Arenal and killed 87 people.[3] It lasted for several days, and during that time destroyed crops, property, livestock, and forests. Fifteen square kilometers were buried and the explosion affected over 232 square kilometers. It has been active almost continuously since the eruption. The eruption has had a VEI=3. 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 (See image), 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.
Subfeatures
Arenal has several eruptive vents.
Chato 10°26′31″N 84°41′17″W / 10.44194°N 84.68806°W is a dormant stratovolcanic cone. It is believed Chato first erupted 38,000 years ago during the Pleistocene period and last erupted about 3,500 years ago.[4] Chatito 10°26′17″N 84°41′13″W / 10.438°N 84.687°W is a lava dome with an elevation of 1,100 metres (3,609 ft). Espina is another lava dome.[5]
See also
References
- ^ http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1405-033&volpage=synsub
- ^ http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1405-033&volpage=erupt
- ^ http://www.arenal.net/arenal-volcano-1968-eruption.htm
- ^ http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1405-033
- ^ http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=1405-033&volpage=synsub
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Arenal Volcano |
Fortuna (Costa Rica) travel guide from Wikitravel
- Costa Rican Vulcanologic and Seismologic Observatory: Arenal (Spanish)
- Most recent pictures of Arenal eruptions
- Arenal Volcano Pictures
- Arenal Volcano history
- Volcanoes.ca: Arenal
- Videos and photos of Arenal
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