Volcano Arenal Info
Previous to 1968 Volcano Arenal was known simply as Arenal Mountain or Cerro Arenal. Of course all of that changed on July 29th when the "mountain" erupted! The eruptions lasted for several days and buried over 15 square kilometers with rocks, lava and ash. When the eruptions subsided, 87 people had been killed and 3 villages destroyed: Tabacon, Pueblo Nuevo and San Luis. This was, and still is, a large farming community and the eruption also affected more than 232 square kilometers of land spoiling crops and killing livestork.
The Arenal volcano measures at least 1,633 meters (5,358 ft). It is conically shaped with a crater spanning 140 meters (460 ft). Geologically, Due to the eruption three more craters were created on the western flanks but only one of them still exists today. Since October 2010, Arenal's volcanic activity appears to be decreasing and explosions have become rare, with no explosions reported between December 2010 and October 2012.
At the height of its ferocious activity, the volcano flung giant rocks – some weighing several tons – more than a kilometer away at a rate of 600 meters per second. These explosions would go on to form three new active craters.
Between 1968 and 2010, the Arenal Volcano was extremely active – it spewed hot rocks, smoke, ash, and lava from its top almost every day. None of the explosions, however, compared to that of 1968. Since then, the locals have taken caution in building their settlements and farms too close to the volcano. At the present, all towns, hotels and trails are set at what is thought to be a safe distance from Arenal.
Although the volcano took the lives of many men and women, it has given back to the community by becoming one of Costa Rica's most visited natural attractions. While agriculture is still important to the region, tourism has surpassed this to become the main source of income for the area’s people. La Fortuna is the "Adventure Capital of Costa Rica" because all of the activities this area has to offer!
DISCLAIMER: Volcano Arenal is currently INACTIVE
The Arenal volcano measures at least 1,633 meters (5,358 ft). It is conically shaped with a crater spanning 140 meters (460 ft). Geologically, Due to the eruption three more craters were created on the western flanks but only one of them still exists today. Since October 2010, Arenal's volcanic activity appears to be decreasing and explosions have become rare, with no explosions reported between December 2010 and October 2012.
At the height of its ferocious activity, the volcano flung giant rocks – some weighing several tons – more than a kilometer away at a rate of 600 meters per second. These explosions would go on to form three new active craters.
Between 1968 and 2010, the Arenal Volcano was extremely active – it spewed hot rocks, smoke, ash, and lava from its top almost every day. None of the explosions, however, compared to that of 1968. Since then, the locals have taken caution in building their settlements and farms too close to the volcano. At the present, all towns, hotels and trails are set at what is thought to be a safe distance from Arenal.
Although the volcano took the lives of many men and women, it has given back to the community by becoming one of Costa Rica's most visited natural attractions. While agriculture is still important to the region, tourism has surpassed this to become the main source of income for the area’s people. La Fortuna is the "Adventure Capital of Costa Rica" because all of the activities this area has to offer!
DISCLAIMER: Volcano Arenal is currently INACTIVE