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Latest news:Thursday, Apr 12, 2012
Over the past weeks, the National Park of Rincón de la Vieja has been observing an increase in volcanic activity, and a small phreatic eruption occurr...
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Thursday, Mar 01, 2012
New phreatic explosions were recorded at Rincón de la Vieja volcano in northern Costa Rica.
On 23 February, residents in Guachipelin (11 km to... [more] Rincón de la Vieja volcanocomplex volcano 1916 m (6,286 ft)
Costa Rica, 10.83°N / -85.32°W Current status: minor activity or eruption warning (3 out of 5) Rincón de la Vieja webcams / live data
last update: 12 Apr 2012 (small phreatic eruption on 11 April)
Typical eruption style: Explosive. Rincón de la Vieja volcano eruptions: 1529(?), 1765, 1844, 1849, 1851(?), 1853-54, 1860, 1861-63, 1902(?), 1912, 1917(?), 1922, 1966-67, 1969, 1969, 1970, 1983, 1984, 1985-86, 1987, 1991-92, 1995, 1998 (Feb.-Sep.), 2011-2012 Background:It is a remote volcanic complex in the Guanacaste Range, consisting of an elongated, arcuate NW-SE-trending ridge that was constructed within the 15-km-wide, about 9,000 years-old Guachipelín caldera, whose rim is exposed on the south side.Rincón de la Vieja, sometimes known as the "Colossus of Guanacaste," has an estimated volume of 130 cu km and contains at least 9 major eruptive centers. Activity has migrated to the SE, where the youngest-looking craters are located. The twin cone of 1916-m-high Santa María volcano, the highest peak of the Rincón complex, is located at the eastern end of a smaller, 5-km-wide caldera and has a 500-m-wide crater. A plinian eruption producing the 0.25 cu km Río Blanca tephra about 3500 years ago was the last major magmatic eruption from the volcano. All subsequent eruptions, including numerous historical eruptions possibly dating back to the 16th century, have been from the prominent crater containing a 500-m-wide acid lake (known as the Active Crater) located ENE of Von Seebach crater. Source: GVP, Smithsonian Institution Rincón de la Vieja volcano tours |
