May 17th is a day of commemoration for one of the biggest eruptions of the Poas Volcano this May (2016) there will be 63 years since the last eruption in 1953 which made the main crater lake disappear, destroyed coffee plantations and many more. The activity and ash flow continued during 1953.and lasted until 1956. In these years also two people disappeared.
Poas volcanic activity
Small eruptions are recorded since 1828, but only in 1834 the volcano showed a significant activity with an eruption of ash accompanied by strong underground eruptions. Other explosions were recorded in 1880, 1895, 1899, 1903-1906.
One of the most important historical eruptions, with explosion of stones, mud and ashes was recorded on January 25 1910. A column that reached the 8,000 meters was formed. The volume of ejected ash reached 800,000 cubic meters. Other major explosive eruptions occurred in 1914, 1915, 1916, 1925, and 1929, 1932-34.
In 1968, there were eruptions and fumarolic activity which continued in 1970, 1979, 1987 and 1989. In 1989 and 1990 as a result of the activity, the main lagoon crater began to decrease.
In 1994, there were some eruptions of ash, until the lagoon dried, it was not recovered until 1998, and then it was visible again.
In the 2005, the lagoon started to grow, covering several fumaroles and thermal sources in the area of this crater, until is initiated a new phase of activity which lasts until today. In March of 2006, the first eruption happened after 12 years of the last event.
In 2009, the Cinchona earthquake, occurred which destroyed the town and cost the lives of 25 people, the heavy damages required international interference in order to cure the consequences of the phenomenon.
The Poas continued presenting eruptions all those years until today. The most significant ones presented, were in 2010 and 2013, which also reached the viewpoint of the main crater.
On October 13th 2014, there was important eruption that reached 250 meters height and caused the evacuation of the visitors from the park which was closed too.in order to avoid the exposition of toxic gases and ash. The park was reopened on October 23rd, 2014.
Several small eruptions took place between the 5th, 13th and 14th of June, 2016. The 18 of June was registered three more similar situations.
The Poas Volcano is currently one of the most visited volcanoes in the country, after Arenal, and it is part of Costa Rica main attractions.
