By Wendy Anders

Starting shortly after 2:00 a.m. today, scientists at the National University’s Volcanology and Seismology Research Institute (Ovsicori) noted the Turrialba Volano began a new round of “constant eruptive activity.”

At around 3:05, at 4:15, and again around 6:00 early this morning, strong eruptions sent columns that rose 1,000 meters above the crater height, for a height of 4,340 meters above sea level (14,235 ft).

Even though winds towards the west and northwest have prevailed last night and this morning, there have not been many reports of ash in the San José metropolitan area or the international airport in Alajuela, said Ovsicori, which may mean the eruption was more gas than ash. Each eruption is different, said the scientists on their official Facebook page.

The volcano has had bouts of eruptions with rocks and other sediment, causing brilliant spectacles to be observed on some clear nights.

Oscar Francisco Miranda Mora, Ovsicori scientist, said the Turrialba’s current active  crater measures 150 – 200 ms in diameter.