Scientists on alert as Costa Rica's Turrialba volcano spews helium

The weather is wild here in Southern California, but in checking for news elsewhere in the world I discovered that Costa Rica's Turrialba Volcano, which experienced a minor eruption earlier this month, is acting up again.

This should not alarm tourists planning to visit the Central American nation, which is a cherished destination for outdoors enthusiasts of all types. However, it's interesting to note that the volcano this week began spewing helium, which is an indication of magmatic activity, so it's possible that molten rock, or lava, could begin to rise within the volcano.

I found two stories on the topic. The English-language Tico Times reported that scientists have stopped short of predicting lava flows from the volcano, which is about 25 miles northeast of the capital city of San Jose, and that health experts still are assessing risks from helium and other gasses.

Inside Costa Rica reported that a yellow cautionary alert remains in effect in the communities of Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Capellados and Pacayas, and that two schools near the volcano have been closed indefinitely.

The volcano's last major eruption was in 1866. Scientists so far are not speculating as to whether the recent activity might be signaling another such episode in the near future.

-- Pete Thomas

Photo courtesy of OVSICORI

Comments

[Volcano Spews]

Volcano spews generally send poisonous gases into the atmosphere. This volcano emits helium..
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