The Irazu Volcano located in the province of Cartago experimented some changes after the heavy rains received in the past days’ product of a tropical storm and also hurricane Otto.
The water filled up three lakes in the volcano and a small waterfall is dropping in the main crater, the last time this phenomenon happened was back in 2012.

According to Costa Rican volcanologist Gino Gonzalez, the lake that accumulated the most amount of water was the one located in the area known as Playa Hermosa, a fluvial terrace in between of the two craters, which accumulated around 90,000 cubic meters of rain water, forming a lake 1.2 meters (4 feet) deep and with a maximum temperature of 8.6°C (47.48°F). The second lake is found in the Diego de la Haya crater and the third one is outside the park area.

The lakes have become an attraction to both local and foreign visitors since they make for an amazing scene and they can walk near the new lagoons. These lakes according to Gonzalez will disappear in time, as the dry season begins the high temperatures will evaporate the water and eventually they will dry out.

The heavy rains also caused some mudslides in the main crater of the volcano.

“Near the top there’s an accumulation of volcanic material that has been transformed by the fumaroles. The ground here takes a clay texture which is impervious and because of this any area that doesn’t have a natural drain accumulates water”, explained volcanologist Javier Pacheco.

This is the perfect time to visit the Irazu Volcano, this National Park opens every day from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.