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The Arenal Volcano Costa Rica its history - Page #2
Until June 1984 characteristic activity at Arenal included lava descending the different flanks of crater C with sporadic eruptions of pyro¬clastic material. Since that time strombolian activ¬ity has become more frequent.
Due to the accumulation of materials around crater C, the height has increased and currently two cones occupy the summit, old crater (D) to the east and crater C to the west.
Pyroclastic flows, although not so large and constant as in 1968, have been observed frequently; in July 1987 and March 1988 two flows traveled down the south flank and terminated 1 Km from the crater destroying all vegetation in their path.
On August 28, 1993 the northern wall of crater C collapsed due to the pressure of the out pouring lava. For approximately the next 20 minutes four glowing avalanches could be seen.
These flows traveled west approximately 1 Km and northeast to approximately 400 m from the road between Fortuna and Tilaran.
On May 5 , 1998 around 1:09 p.m., several pyroclastic flows descended from crater C down the northwest flank. This activity kept on up to 7:00 p.m. A total of 23 flows were produced with distances averaging 1.5 km.
On august 23, 2000, at 10:15 a.m. the lava flow front descending from crater C, towards the NE collapsed forming a pyroclastic flow. Three people that were ascending to see the lava were caught by gases at a high temperature, as a consequence a tour guide died later that night, at a hospital in San Jose and a little girl died days later in the U.S.
Pyroclastic flows continued later that day originating the most important flow at 1:47 p.m., materials deposited reached as far as the Cedeno Lake, devastating all vegetation.
People continue to visit Arenal to hear the explosions and see the extrusion of lavas rolling down the flanks as well as to see the emission of gas and ash; phenomena that makes Arenal
Before the activity began in 1968, Arenal Volcano was covered by dense vegetation.
People that climbed to Arenal's summit reported that inside crater(D) there were big trees and to stay overnight they used to take shelter in places where there were small steam outlets.
In 1968, the road between Fortuna and La Palma was a gravel road. From this road, before crossing Tabacon River you could see Arenal Volcano.
To the west of Arenal Volcano was the small settlement of Pueblo Nuevo.
Landscape before the lake Arenal Dam was built. In the background crater A on Arenal's west flank can be seen emitting white steam.
On June 29,1968 about 07:30 a.m. a very strong eruption occurred; a "nuee ardente" destroyed everything to the west of the volcano. All of the vegetation was destroyed and a large number of impact craters were formed by blocks and bombs of different sizes.
The zone between Tabacon and Pueblo Nuevo villages was the area most affected by the impact of bombs and blocks. Large trees were uprooted and some survivors were sure that it was the location that most persons were killed.
Pueblo Nuevo located 5 Km west of crater A was totally destroyed during the first explosion.
On July 31, a "nuee ardente" occurred traveling due north of crater A; several persons in two vehicles trying to help with the emergency were killed.
With the first explosion of July 29, 1968 a crater was formed on the west side of the volcano at an elevation of 1000 m., this was named crater A. On September of the same year, the first lava flow was seen comming out of crater A. This activity was continous until 1973 when a lava dome formed in crater A due to the high viscosity of the lava and a very low effusion rate.
At 1450 m.a.s.l. crater C was formed; it has been active since 1973 to the present.
Between June 17 and 21, 1975 several glowing ava¬lanches traveled from crater C to the north. The vege¬tation on both sidesof Tabacon River was destroyed and great amount of pyroclastic material was deposit¬ed in the river bed.
The largest quantity of material erupted in June, 1975 was deposited in the Tabacon River drainge.
precise history information on the history of the Arenal volcano learn about the arenal volcano from the hand of locals that narrated the history of the Arenal Volcano since its first eruption in 1968 this is one of the most accurate history articles ever writing enjoy and learn about the Arenal Volcano.
