Reasons Not to Go Into The Risk Zones Around an Active Volcano

Poas Volcano has been in constant activity in the last 90 days. As the news concerning the eruptions of the volcano has been spread worldwide, Costa Rica has been receiving a lot of visitors from all over looking to take photos of the natural phenomenon. Unfortunately, many of them have gone too far and have taken the risk to enter the risk zones for such purpose.

“Entering the risk zone when the volcano is erupting is a clear example of an irresponsible behavior. They expose themselves to imminent danger” – says Ivan Brenes, the Emergency National Commission president.

Unfortunately, some Costa Rican tourist guides have been in charge of such illegal expeditions, every time a volcano erupts, and this time was not the exception. The safest areas around the crater are 3000 meters away.

The Costa Rican authorities always warn the tourists against such actions and invite them to wait for the volcanic activity to cease.

Risks around an active volcano

• Exposition to great concentrations of gas, steam and corrosive particles.
• It causes problems with the airways, eyes, nasal mucous membranes, and skin irritation because of the exposition to the ashes, aerosol, and other gasses.
• Imminent danger for the rocks spewed out by the volcano.
• Risk of getting trapped in the middle of the volcanic material.
• Little chance of being rescued if something goes wrong. It is difficult to spot the people who have entered the volcanic zone without authorization.

Common no-go areas when Poas and Turrialba are “angry”

Today, the most active volcanoes are Poas and Turrialba. The experts recommend not venturing into the hazardous areas around these volcanoes even if the eruptions have calm periods.

The following list includes the places that are closed when Poas and Turrialba volcanoes are in activity:

• Cerro Pelón, Botos Lagoon, von Frantzius, Los Angeles de Grecia aqueduct trail, Los Quemaderos, Bosque del Niño, La Providencia.
• Bajos del Toro rivers: Agrio, Desague, Anonos and Quebrada Gata. Generally, these areas in Bajos del Toro are restricted because the volcanic explosions can produce mudslide loaded with rocks, tree logs, and sand.