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Arenal, Costa Rica Arenal is a stratovolcano in Costa Rica that has been very active in recent years. An eruption in 1968 wiped out the town of Pueblo Nuevo, killing 78 people. The volcano has produced loud explosions, gas clouds, ash and vapor, and lava flows frequently since the 1968 eruption. Arenal's last major eruption occurred in 1993. May 5, 1998
Arenal erupted rock and
ash high into the air on May 5. This explosive eruption split the crater,
spilling lava down the north slope of the volcano. Rocks were ejected
from the volcano at speeds of 120 miles per hour. A red alert was declared,
and 450 people were evacuated due to dangers of flying debris and lava
flows. No casualties were reported, and damage was minimal. This was
the largest eruption since 1993.
May 6, 1998
The pyroclastic flows discharged by Arenal
in the eruption of May 5 traveled several kilometers down the northwest
flank of the volcano. Ash fell at least as far as ~3 miles (~5 km) from
the now partially collapsed crater. |
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