The beautiful lagoon that attracts thousands of tourists to the crater of Poas volcano might disappear soon.
The powerful eruptive cycle of the last days caused a series of changes that put the lagoon in check. According to Gino González, expert from Volcanos Sin Fronteras (VSF), it is a matter of days for it to disappear completely.
The lagoon, composed of hot and acid waters, measured 300 meters in diameter and 40 meters deep. According to the National Seismological Network (RSN), these thermo-mineral lagoons have been there for at least a thousand years.
The lagoon totally changed its shape. Before it was almost circular. Now it has a bay shape. It has been quite deformed and its level has been greatly reduced. If in 15 days it has dropped this mucho, its descent might possibly continue and in less than a month it’ll disappear,”
said González, after a visit to the crater on Monday.
Does the lagoon have any function? Yes, it does: it prevents the gases from being released directly into the atmosphere. If the lagoon disappears there could be other repercussions: greater presence of acid rain and more direct fall of ash.
Volcanic gases and ashes would pass freely into the atmosphere. The lagoon functions as a kind of filter,”
explained the volcanologist.
Although Poás Volcano increased its activity earlier this month, the explosions of April 14th and 22nd were the most decisive. Especially the last one, with abundant output of incandescent material and rocks up to 30 centimeters.
The current activity of the colossus is what is known as freatum-magmatic, that is, due to the interaction of the lava with water.
González says new explosive eruptions are expected in the next few days.
At the moment, the greatest danger is circumscribed within a radius of two kilometers around the crater. That is, always within the national park.