|
Rincon de la Vieja, Costa Rica
- February 16, 1998
- Rincon de la Vieja volcano erupted on
February 16, after almost a month of showing signs of activity. The
eruption was phreatic. It produced a lahar which traveled down several
rivers. No damage was reported, although many fish in these rivers were
killed. At least 23 steam eruptions occurred throughout the day. A plume
reached an elevation of 3280 ft (1000 m). About 2.5 inches (6 cm) of
muddy material was deposited on the southern rim of the crater. Muddy
ash fell as far as 2 miles (~3 km) to the southwest. Blocks thrown from
the volcano formed small impact craters up to 1000 ft (~300 m) from
the crater rim.
November 6, 1995
- Rincon de la Vieja began erupting volcanic
ash and water vapor on November 6, 1995. Rincon de la Vieja is an active
composite volcano located 30 miles (50 km) south of Lake Nicaragua.
Local authorities have evacuated 300 families. Scientists are on their
way to the remote volcano. Great amounts of ash have been reported in
local rivers. Heavy cloud formations have prevented satellite observations.
- In 1982, J. Bruce Gemmel climbed the
volcano and provided a description to McClelland and others (1989).
Collapse craters trend east-northeast to west-southwest across the summit
of the volcano. The main cone is heavily vegetated with the exception
of three craters to the west. At that time, the most recently active
crater (diameter 800 feet, 250 m) was 0.6 mile (1 km) northwest of the
main cone. A lake covered the crater floor.
-
- The most recent confirmed eruption of
Rincon de la Vieja was in early 1992. Rincon de la Vieja has erupted
at least 16 times since 1851. Most eruptions are phreatic and include
the emission of gas and ash. Lahars are often generated by displacement
of the crater lake.
|