The two phreatic eruptions that occurred in the Poás volcano on Saturday, pose no danger and there is no need to declare a state of emergency in the area.

Carlos Ramirez, a geologist at the National Seismological Network, said that the two eruptions are normal behavior of the volcano.

“This is something almost monthly in Poás however the eruptions usually remain in the area of the intracrater normally occurring once or twice a year,” said Ramirez.

Eruptions Saturday reached between 500 and 700 meters high, and according to the RSN were not seen by anyone, due to cloudy conditions in the area.

Ramirez said that in the last year alone there were nearly 100 phreatic eruptions by the Poás volcano, and Saturday’s was the largest in the last six years.

“It is possible that the earthquake (September 5) moved the system vents, causing some to close and others open, this leads to an adjustment that needs to occur in the pressures of hydrothermal systems of active volcanoes” said Ramirez.

Active volcanoes in the country are the Poás, Turrialba and Rincon de la Vieja, which have constant phreatic eruptions and changes in the behavior of volcanic activity.

This is why the National Seismological Network maintains a green alert on the three giants, according to the traffic light of Volcanoes.

This is used by the RSN to define the condition, behavior and activity of these volcanos, the green condition is to inform people that there is no reason for alarm.

The condition of the Poás Volcano does not require the authorities to close the park; they even indicated that this could bring an influx of people, as there may be small eruptions in the coming days.

The National Emergency Commission (CNE) ruled out any danger but keeps a close watch on Poás for other occurrences.

Source: Costa Rica North