The cameras of the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI) recorded an eruption on Saturday at Rincón de la Vieja Volcano, Guanacaste. The event was recorded at 4:12 p.m. The eruption reached several meters in height and was visible from different sites near the colossus.
This was a phreatic eruption, which occur when there’s internal contact between magma and water.
Costa Rica has five active volcanoes since colonial times, and at least 10 volcanoes have been active in the last 10,000 years. These 10 colossuses are Barva, Hule, Río Cuarto, Miravalles, Chato, Rincón de la Vieja, Poás, Irazú, Arenal, and Turrialba.
The broad activity is due to a normal cycle of tectonic plates, where seismicity and volcanism can increase at a certain moment.
The last time Costa Rica experienced simultaneous activity in three active volcanoes (Arenal, Poás and Rincón de la Vieja) was 30 years ago. Historical records also mention the year 1969 and 1975 with similar characteristics.