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Source: OVSICORI
Civil aviation and airport officials in Costa Rica decided to suspend flight operations at the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), located in the province of Alajuela, after a powerful afternoon eruption at the Turrialba volcano, located in the province of Cartago.
Geologists from the National University’s Observatory on Volcanology and Seismology of Costa Rica (Spanish acronym: OVSICORI) reported two eruptions on Monday, May 4th: The first one occurred early in the morning and produced a plume of volcanic ash that reached about 500 meters; the second one started at 3:25 pm and lasted for more than 20 minutes.
The Directorate of Civil Aviation resolved to cease flight operations at SJO, Costa Rica’s busiest international airport, after sundown. The preliminary report stated that the temporary closure would last six hours, and an advisory would be issued hours later. As of 9:20 pm, incoming flights from Managua and Houston were delayed. The status of later flights from Panama City, Mexico City and Frankfurt was “canceled.”
This is the third time in recent months that volcanic activity from the Turrialba has shut down SJO. OVSICORI scientists also reported that the latest eruption expelled rocks with great velocity, ultimately damaging solar panels and a park ranger’s booth. Needless to say, this volcano is off-limits to visitors.
Although not too much incandescence was observed during the second eruption, the ash and smoke column reached extended two kilometers in the air and began coating the capital city of San Jose during the evening. Volcanologists warned the population about the abrasiveness of the ash; it could be harmful to the eyes should they be rubbed on contact, and it may also scratch auto windshields should the wipers be activated. The best course of action is to rinse with lots of water.
Courtesy of news.co.cr
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