Costa Rica expands volcano evacuation zone

Turrialba volcano, Costa Rica. Image by Bernal Saborio / CC BY-SA 2.0

The evacuation zone surrounding active Turrialba volcano, 50km east of San José in Costa Rica, has been expanded from 2km to 5km as it continues to rumble and spew ash on a weekly basis. Volcanologists expect that the volcanic activity will increase in the coming months and is in the process of determining whether the 5km area should be permanently evacuated. Three schools lie within the 5km radius. For the next week, the zone will restrict access to the volcano as scientists assess the situation. Turrialba sputtered into life in 2010 but in the past six months has become increasingly active, with its largest eruption for more than 100 years in November. Looming ash clouds from the volcano closed Costa Rica’s international airport at San José in March. Read more: ticotimes.net