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Rincón de la Vieja is the largest volcano in NW Costa Rica and one of its most active ones.
Complex 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 dataRincón de la Vieja volcano books | Tours
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, 2014, 2015-ongoing
Typical eruption style:Explosive.
Last earthquakes nearby
Latest satellite images 
Rincón de la Vieja volcano, Costa Rica: activity updates
Fri, 23 Jun 2017, 17:14
OVSICORI-UNA reported that on 15 June a diffuse plume of mainly water vapor rose 50 m above Rincón de la Vieja's crater rim. A small hydrothermal explosion from the crater with the highly acidic lake was detected around noon on 18 June. ...moreIn a report posted the next day OVSICORI-UNA noted that seismicity was characterized by low-frequency events, volcano-tectonic events, and tremor with intensifying amplitude; the seismic patterns were similar to those that preceded the phreatomagmatic events on 23 May and 11 June, though the recent seismicity was not as energetic. ( Source: Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report 14-20 June 2017) [ less] [ read all]
Wed, 24 May 2017, 12:05
A moderately large phreatic eruption occurred from the crater lake at 10:20 local time on 23 May 2017, producing a plume of steam and ash that rose 500-1000 m as well as a lahar that descended the northern flank.
Tue, 3 May 2016, 12:05
OVSICORI-UNA reported that a moderate hydrothermal explosion occurred at 14:37 local time on 1 May in the volcano's crater lake. The seismic network recorded the explosion for 11 minutes.
Sun, 3 Apr 2016, 12:05
A smaoo eruption, probably phreatic, occurred on 30 March, ejecting a small ash plume.
Sat, 12 Mar 2016, 09:40
Last Wednesday's eruption at Rincón de la Vieja volcano (OVSICORI-UNA) The volcano had a new explosion from its crater lake last Wednesday 8 March. The eruption threw deposits of mud and ash onto the northern side of the crater to up to 120 m distance from the rim and generated a small plume of ash that caused light ash fall in nearby villages in up to 6 km distance to the north. ...moreThe activity at the volcano had started to increase already in 2015. Volcanologists have found evidence of several similar explosions that occurred in the past months, but the most recent one on Wednesday seems to have been significantly larger (although still small in itself). The most interesting news, however, comes from the analysis of the ejected ash. OVSICORI-UNA staff found that besides fragmented older rocks and sulfur, about 3-10 % of the ejected ash particles are glassy shards from juvenile (i.e. new) magma. 
The new ash deposit on the northern crater flank (OVSICORI-UNA) 
Close-up of the erupted ash: b) and c) show glassy lava from fresh magma (OVSICORI-UNA) [ less] [ read all]
Sun, 21 Sep 2014, 16:39
Aerial image of the crater lake of Rincon de la Vieja volcano (image: OVSICORI-UNA) The volcano increased its activity. Since 17 Sep, phreatic explosions have regularly occurred from the main crater which contains an acid lake. Although none was observed directly, at least 6 explosions could be identified by seismic signals. An aerial survey yesterday showed no fresh deposits, which suggests that the eruptions were rather small and did not eject material beyond the lake. ...morePark rangers have also observed that the volcano is currently having some increased activity: strong bubbling at the lake and floating sulfur rafts on the surface. The water temperature has increased significantly by 15 deg C., compared to measurements made in 2013. The main hazard from the volcano at present would be hot, acid mud flows (lahars) if larger explosions cause the lake to drain or eject larger quantities of water. Such lahars could affect all sides of the volcano, but the areas to the NE around the Azul and Pénjamo river beds would be most at risk. During previous eruptions such in 1995, they had been affected by lahars already. 
Hazard map (Costa Rica Civil Defense) [ less] [ read all]
Wed, 6 Mar 2013, 12:05
OVSICORI-UNA received reports at 05:30 on 26 February of pulsing white plumes rising from Rincon de la Vieja's active crater about every four minutes. ...moreThe seismic records showed no signals associated with a phreatic eruption or sudden gas output. Cloud cover prevented views of the active crater during an overflight later that day, however clear views of the N and S flanks and areas SW showed no changes. [ less] Sat, 6 Oct 2012, 07:56
The acid crater lake. On the right there are thermal convective cells (upwelling), mainly in the south and east of the lake (RSN)
The volcano has a very active hot lake whose degassing activity and temperature (48° C) increased after the magnitude 7.6 earthquake on 5 Sep. It has milky gray color due to mixing of sediments. ...moreOn September 20 RSN staff made a visit to the active crater of Rincon de la Vieja Volcano, during which they collected a sample of lake water for subsequent chemical analysis and captured thermal images and videos, both of the surface of the lake and fumaroles, and compared them with images taken in April of 2012. This revealed that there has been an increase in the temperature of the lake, while the fumarolic field remained the same. 
Active crater with strong degassing (RSN)
Thermal image of the fumarolic field (RSN)
[ less] [ read all]
Thu, 12 Apr 2012, 10:05
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 occurred from the main crater on 11 April.
Thu, 1 Mar 2012, 16:29
Seismic recording of a phreatic explosion at 00:16 local time on 19 February 2012 New phreatic explosions were recorded at Rincón de la Vieja volcano in northern Costa Rica. ...moreOn 23 February, residents in Guachipelin (11 km to the SW) woke up to hear explosion sounds between 0400 and 0430 local time. Seismic recordings showed signals typical for explosions at the same time, although other residents in other areas did not hear any eruption. Similar seismic signals were detected on 19 Feb at 00:16 and on 20 Feb at 00:46 local time, suggesting that smaller explosions occurred then as well. [ less] [ read all]
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