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Rincón de la Vieja

Photo of this volcano
  • Country
  • Primary Volcano Type
  • Last Known Eruption
  •  
  • 10.83°N
  • 85.324°W

  • 1916 m
    6286 ft

  • 345020
  • Latitude
  • Longitude

  • Summit
    Elevation

  • Volcano
    Number
Most Recent Weekly Report: 10 January-16 January 2024 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported continued unrest at Rincón de la Vieja during 8-16 January. Small phreatic eruptions were recorded almost daily, sometimes producing gas-and-steam plumes that rose as high as 3 km above the crater rim. Almost continuous gas-and-steam emissions were visible during 10-11 January. The Alert Level remained at Level 3, Orange, the third level on a four-level scale.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


Most Recent Bulletin Report: January 2023 (BGVN 48:01) Citation IconCite this Report

Continuing frequent weak phreatic explosions during July-December 2022

Rincón de la Vieja is a volcanic complex in Costa Rica with a hot, convecting acid lake that exhibits frequent weak phreatic explosions, gas-and-steam emissions, and occasional elevated sulfur dioxide levels (BGVN 45:10, 46:03, 46:11). This report covers activity during July-December 2022 and is based on weekly bulletins and occasional daily reports from the Observatorio Vulcanologico Sismologica de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA).

During this period, OVSICORI-UNA reported that eruptive activity continued similar to recent years, with weak phreatic explosions and gas-and-steam emissions generating plumes above the lake (table 8). The sulfur dioxide levels were generally stable at 30-50 metric tons/day (t/d) during July-October, with isolated peaks up to 600 t/d. In early November, isolated peaks of 750 t/d were measured, and thereafter levels varied widely. On 18 November the level peaked at 1,500 t/d. Toward the end of December, the level was about 250 t/d.

Table 8. Summary of activity at Rincón de la Vieja during July-December 2022. Some eruptions that failed to eject lake water and sediments outside the crater were not considered by OVSICORI-UNA as having an explosive character, so eruptive activity terminology is variable. Explosions were weak and phreatic. Courtesy of OVSICORI-UNA (compiled from weekly bulletins and occasional daily reports).

Date Time Description of Activity
05 Aug 2022 -- Eruption with small emissions.
15 Aug 2022 -- Submarine explosion with no surface manifestation. Several other small eruptions occurred during mid-August.
16 Aug 2022 -- Two explosions.
22 Aug 2022 -- Eruption.
01 Sep 2022 1900 Eruption.
08 Sep 2022 1510 Explosion produced a gas-and-steam plume that rose 500 m above crater rim.
10 Sep 2022 0640 Explosion. Continuous gas-and-steam plumes.
14 Sep 2022 0147 Explosion produced a gas-and-steam plume that rose 600 m above the crater rim.
Mid-Sep 2022 -- Eruptions, with gas-and-steam plumes rising to about 800 m above crater rim.
17 Sep 2022 0900 Possible explosion(s), though not visually confirmed. Possible emission record at 0219.
03 Oct 2022 1527 Explosion.
04 Oct 2022 1923 Explosion lasting two minutes but not visually observed due to darkness and weather conditions.
05 Oct 2022 -- Eruption.
08 Oct 2022 1647 Small gas-and steam emissions.
09 Oct 2022 0940 Small gas-and steam emissions.
20 Oct 2022 0724 Eruption.
23 Oct 2022 -- Phreatic eruption.
19-25 Nov 2022 -- Five explosions during week.
25 Nov 2022 1432 Explosion sent a steam-rich plume 2 km above crater rim that drifted SW. Sulfur dioxide anomaly was registered at a station W of the crater.
25-30 Nov 2022 -- Twelve phreatic eruptions (including the 25 Nov indicated above, which was the most energetic).
Early Dec 2022 -- Several explosions, including one on 7 Dec.
14 Dec 2022 0828 Explosion; steam plume 500 m above the crater rim.
15 Dec 2022 1433 Explosion.
16 Dec 2022 0314, 2042 Explosions.
17 Dec 2022 1958 Explosion.
20 Dec 2022 0119 Explosion; cloudy weather prevented visual confirmation.

Information Contacts: Observatorio Vulcanologico Sismologica de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA), Apartado 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica (URL: http://www.ovsicori.una.ac.cr/, https://www.facebook.com/OVSICORI/).

Weekly Reports - Index


2024: January
2023: April | May | June | July | August | September | November | December
2022: January | February | March | April | May | June | September | October | November | December
2021: June | July | August | October | December
2020: January | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | November
2019: February | March | April | May | June
2018: January | July | August | October | November
2017: May | June | July | September | October
2016: March | April
2014: September
2013: February
2012: February | April
2011: September


10 January-16 January 2024 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported continued unrest at Rincón de la Vieja during 8-16 January. Small phreatic eruptions were recorded almost daily, sometimes producing gas-and-steam plumes that rose as high as 3 km above the crater rim. Almost continuous gas-and-steam emissions were visible during 10-11 January. The Alert Level remained at Level 3, Orange, the third level on a four-level scale.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


27 December-2 January 2024 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported continued unrest at Rincón de la Vieja during 26 December 2023-1 January 2024. Small phreatic eruptions were detected through the week with steam-and-gas plumes rising no higher than 1 km above the crater rim. Tall, dense plumes of steam and gas that were occasionally continuous were visible on some of the days. The Alert Level remained at Level 3, Orange, the third level on a four-level scale.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


8 November-14 November 2023 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported continued unrest at Rincón de la Vieja during 8-14 September. Small phreatic eruptions were detected at 1113 on 7 November and 0722 on 8 November. The previous week a total of 10 steam-and-gas exhalations were recorded, and the average SO2 flux was 334 tonnes/day, which is the highest value measured in recent years. At 0136 on 12 November and 0415 on 14 November small gas emissions were detected. The Alert Level remained at Level 3, Orange, the third level on a four-level scale.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


6 September-12 September 2023 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that daily gas-and-steam emissions continued at Rincón de la Vieja during 6-12 September rising as high as 1 km above the crater rim. Some of the emissions were produced by small phreatic events. The Alert Level remained at Level 3, Orange, the third level on a four-level scale.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


30 August-5 September 2023 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that small phreatic events and gas-and-steam emissions continued at Rincón de la Vieja during 29 August-5 September. Three small eruptive events generated steam-and-gas plumes that rose 2-3 km above the crater rim during 28-29 August. Multiple events produced steam-and-gas plumes during 30-31 August. At 1526 on 1 September an eruptive event generated a steam-and-gas plume that rose 2 km above the crater rim and ejected material onto the flanks. Small events were detected in infrasound data during 2-3 September. At 1251 on 4 September a steam-and-gas plume that rose 1 km above the crater rim and drifted W. The Alert Level remained at Level 3, Orange, the third level on a four-level scale.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


23 August-29 August 2023 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that small phreatic events continued to be recorded at Rincón de la Vieja during 23-29 August. Four small events were recorded during 1900 om 24 August and 0828 on 25 August. The event at 0828 produced a steam-and-gas plume that rose 3 km above the crater rim and drifted NW. Four small events were also recorded during 27-28 August; the event at 0813 on 28 August lasted two minutes and generated a steam-and-gas plume that rose 2.5 km above the crater rim. The Alert Level remained at Level 3, Orange, the third level on a four-level scale.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


16 August-22 August 2023 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported daily small phreatic events at Rincón de la Vieja during 15-22 August. Events at 1224 on 21 August and 0749 on 22 August each produced steam-and-gas plumes that rose 500-600 m above the crater rim.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


26 July-1 August 2023 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported periodic small phreatic events at Rincón de la Vieja during 26-31 July. Small phreatic events were recorded at 1807 on 26 July, 0803 on 28 July, 1250 on 30 July, and 2136 on 31 July. The event on 28 July produced a gas-and-steam plume that rose 500 m above the crater; bad weather conditions on 30 July prevented a height estimation of the accompanying gas-and-steam plume.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


28 June-4 July 2023 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported periodic small phreatic events at Rincón de la Vieja during 28 June-4 July. Small phreatic events were recorded at 0156 on 1 July, 0305 on 2 July, and 0229 on 4 July. A more notable event at 0635 on 4 July produced a gas-and-steam plume that rose 700 m above the crater rim and drifted W; the plume was seen by residents in Liberia (21 km SW).

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


21 June-27 June 2023 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that the level of the water lake in Rincón de la Vieja’s summit crater declined during 30 May-21 June based on drone footage. A small phreatic eruption occurred at 0607 on 22 June. Several small phreatic eruptions were recorded overnight during 25-26 June. A small event at 0547 on 26 June produced a steam-and-gas plume that rose 1.5 km above the crater rim. Another small event at 0308 on 27 June produced a gas-and-steam plume that rose more than 1 km, though weather clouds and darkness obscured views. The Alert Level remained at 3 (the second highest level on a 0-4 scale).

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


14 June-20 June 2023 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that small phreatic explosions continued at Rincón de la Vieja during 14-19 June and gas-and-steam emissions were sometimes continuous. There were 1-3 daily events during 14-16 and 18 June; most were not observed due to darkness. A small event at 1804 on 18 June produced a steam-and-gas plume that rose 2 km above the crater rim.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


7 June-13 June 2023 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that phreatic explosions continued at Rincón de la Vieja during 6-13 June, with multiple phreatic events recorded during 6-8 June. A 14-minute-long event that began at 0142 on 7 June was comprised of two pulses of gas-and-steam that rose 1 km above the crater rim. At 0942 on 8 June a plume of steam and gas rose 2.5 km above the crater rim, followed at 1810 by a moderate phreatic eruption that ejected lake water with sediment to less than 100 m above the crater rim and produced a white steam plume that rose 3 km and drifted W. Two events recorded at 0138 and 2037 on 9 June were similar in energy to the 8 June event at 1810. Gas emissions were visible on 10 June. Small phreatic events at 0357, 0521, and 0546 on 11 June produced white steam-and-gas plumes that drifted W. White steam-and-gas plumes from small phreatic events at 1031 and 1039 on 12 June rose as high as 1 km above the crater rim.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


31 May-6 June 2023 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that increased eruptive activity continued at Rincón de la Vieja during 30 May-6 June. Seismic instruments continued to record low-magnitude volcano-tectonic earthquakes located S of the Pailas sector of Parque Nacional Rincón de la Vieja. Reports describing phreatic eruption events were issued almost daily. A phreatic event at 2215 on 30 May ejected incandescent material within the vicinity of the crater. A small phreatic eruption at 1753 on 31 May generated a small pyroclastic flow that traveled a short distance from the crater. Moderate phreatic eruptions were recorded during 1-2 June; the most energetic event occurred at 0902 and generated a plume of steam, gas, and ash that rose to 1.5 km above the crater and drifted N. OVSICORI-UNA raised the Alert Level from 2 to 3 (the third highest on a four-level scale) at 1650 on 2 June due to significant seismicity and significant emissions recorded during May.

Eruptive events were recorded during 3-4 June. The most energetic event occurred at 0624 on 3 June and generated a steam-and-gas plume that rose 1.5 km and drifted W. An eruptive event at 0526 on 4 June first generated emissions that rose to 500 m, followed at 0529 by a second plume of steam-and-gas rose to 3.5 km above the crater and drifted N. Steam-and-gas plumes with low ash content were generated from eruptive events during the nights of 4-5 June; the plumes rose 1-1.5 km above the crater and drifted W. At 0259 on 6 June a small phreatic eruption generated a plume that rose to 3 km and drifted NW.

During a press conference held by OVISOCORI-UNA, RSN, and CNE on 5 June, the public was reminded that although the recent volcanic activity is normal for Rincon de la Vieja, it is still necessary to remain cautious and that community emergency committees will remain activated. CNE maintained a Green Alert (first alert level on a four-color scale) for the districts of Dos Ríos (13 km N) and Aguas Claras (3 km NW) in the canton of Upala (22 km ENE), as well as the districts of Cañas Dulces (24 km ESE), Curubandé (18 km SW), and Mayorga (15 km W) in the canton of Liberia (21 km SW). The CNE reminded the public to stay away from the Azul, Pénjamo, and Azufrada rivers.

Sources: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA); Comisión Nacional de Prevención de Riesgos y Atención de Emergencias (CNE); Red Sismologica Nacional (RSN: UCR-ICE), Universidad de Costa Rica and Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad


24 May-30 May 2023 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that phreatic explosions continued at Rincón de la Vieja during 24-30 May. Moderate phreatic events at 1815 and 1830 on 24 May produced voluminous gas-and-steam plumes possibly containing some lake sediments that rose about 2.5 km above the crater rim. Aerial photos from that day showed fairly low lake water levels. The water was a milky gray color and was convecting, partly due to of subaqueous fumaroles. White deposits comprised of altered rocks blanketed the active crater from eruptive activity in recent days. A strong phreatic explosion at 1435 on 25 May produced an ash, gas, and steam plume that drifted NW. Small phreatic events were recorded at 2230 on 25 May and at 0453 and 0704 on 26 May. During a 26 May overflight the lake water level was observed to have significantly dropped compared to 24 May. Phreatic eruptions were recorded at 1357 and 2348 on 26 May and at 0221 and 0632 on 27 May. An energetic eruption at 2135 on 27 May ejected incandescent material and generated a plume mainly comprised of water vapor that rose 3.5-4 km above the crater rim. A significant lahar descended the Pénjamo River and possibly other drainages. On 29 May OVSICORI-UNA noted that the volcano was very active with frequent explosive eruptions. At 0244 an explosion ejected incandescent material and generated a lahar in the Pénjamo River.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


17 May-23 May 2023 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that small phreatic eruptions periodically occurred at Rincón de la Vieja during 16-23 May. Four small events occurred during 16-17 May; the last one, recorded at 1255 on 17 May, produced a gas-and-steam plume that rose 700 m above the crater rim. Sulfur dioxide emissions were almost as high as 5,000 tonnes per day on 17 May; emissions averaged around 132 tonnes per day during the previous week. Events were recorded at 1537 on 18 May and at 0727 and 1025 on 19 May. Vigorous gas emissions were visible in the early morning of 20 May and a phreatic event occurred at 1648 that same day. At 1349 a phreatic event generated a plume mostly comprised of steam that rose 1 km above the crater rim.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


10 May-16 May 2023 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that periodic phreatic eruptions occurred at Rincón de la Vieja during 9-16 May. Phreatic events recorded at 1945 on 9 May, at 1419 on 10 May, and at 1100 on 11 May produced plumes that rose less than 1.5 km above the crater rim. Additional phreatic activity were recorded at 2232 on 11 May, and at both 2332 and 2338 on 12 May, though it was not known if emissions were generated. A short-lived explosive event at 0258 on 14 May ejected material onto the N flank and caused lahars to descend the Penjamo, Azul, and Azufrado rivers. Phreatic events at 1155 and 1748 that same day produced emissions that rose 500 m and 1.5 km above the crater rim, respectively. Gas emissions were occasionally visible during 15-16 May.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


3 May-9 May 2023 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that phreatic eruptions occurred a few times at Rincón de la Vieja during 3-9 May. Phreatic events were recorded at 0100 and 2254 on 3 May, and at 1434 on 8 May, though darkness or weather clouds prevented visual confirmation. A small phreatic event occurred at 1847 on 6 May.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


26 April-2 May 2023 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that phreatic eruptions continued to periodically occur at Rincón de la Vieja during 26 April-1 May. Near-continuous and intense tremor continued along with a few low-frequency, tornillo-type earthquakes and volcanic-tectonic earthquakes. Phreatic events at 0453, 0523, and 0545 on 26 April generated gas-and-steam plumes, and an event at 0528 on 27 April produced a gas-and-steam plume that rose 800 m above the crater rim. Several phreatic events occurred during 27-28 April and generated gas-and-steam emissions that generally rose no higher than 200 m above the crater rim. A small event at 1030 on 30 April produced a gas-and-steam plume that rose 500 m. A gas-and-steam plume from a moderate phreatic eruption at 1306 on 1 May rose 1 km above the crater rim and was seen by residents N of the volcano and in images from webcams located in Sensoria and Gavilan. A small event was recorded later that day at 2032.

Field observations found that the larger eruption on 21 April ejected tephra up to 3 km around the crater, mainly to the N and S. An analysis of ash deposits under a microscope revealed gray and dark metallic, sulfur-rich spheres characteristic of the hydrothermal system as well as juvenile volcanic glass. Ballistics up to 15 cm in diameter were found around the crater.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


19 April-25 April 2023 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that phreatic eruptions, detected seismically but often with observed emissions, continued to occur at Rincón de la Vieja during 18-25 April. Several eruptive events recorded during 18-21 April produced gas-and-steam emissions that rose as high as 1.5 km above the crater rim. A strong eruptive event at 1550 on 21 April generated a dense plume of material that rose 500 m above the crater rim and then collapsed, producing a pyroclastic flow and lahars on the N flank. A steam-and-gas plume with minor ash content rose 4-5 km above the crater rim. Strong tremor levels and near-continuous gas emissions were recorded after the event. That same day OVSICORI-UNA noted that during the previous week sulfur dioxide emissions were 221 tons per day on average, though emissions spiked to close to 5,000 tons per day after several of the phreatic events. During 22-24 April nearly continuous gas emissions continued to be visible and strong tremor continued to be recorded by the seismic network. Small phreatic events were recorded at 1904 on 22 April and at 0054 and 0629 on 24 April. Small phreatic events at 2250 on 23 April and 0630 on 24 April produced steam-and-gas plumes that rose no higher than 500 m above the crater rim.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


12 April-18 April 2023 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that small phreatic eruptions, often in association with observed emissions, occurred at Rincón de la Vieja during 11-17 April. A small phreatic eruption on 11 April consisted of several pulses of activity recorded during 0653-0700 and at 0743. Gas-and-steam plumes rose 500 m above the crater rim. A small phreatic event was recorded late in the evening. An event at 0450 on 12 April produced a gas-and-steam plume that rose 500 m and another was recorded at 1920 with no visual observations reported. Gas-and-steam emissions from a phreatic event were seen at 0632 on 13 April; an event was recorded at 1826 with no visual observations reported. At 0936 on 14 April an event produced a gas-and-steam plume that rose as high as 2 km and was seen from Curubandé. The event was preceded by a swarm of long-period earthquakes five hours prior to the eruption; sediments were possibly ejected from the crater lake and deposited on the crater floor. A small phreatic eruption at 0647 on 16 April ejected material out of the crater and produced a gas-and-steam plume that rose 2 km. A smaller emission rose 500 m at 0957 and at 2235 an event generated a plume that rose 500 m. At 1237 on 17 April a phreatic event produced a plume that rose 1.5 km above the crater rim and a brief event was recorded at 0722 on 18 April.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


14 December-20 December 2022 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that small phreatic explosions continued at Rincón de la Vieja during 14-20 December. A small phreatic explosion at 0828 on 14 December produced a steam plume that rose 500 m above the crater rim. An associated sulfur dioxide anomaly was registered at a station located to the W of the crater. Small phreatic events were also recorded at 1433 on 15 December, at 0314 and 2042 on 16 December, at 1958 on 17 December, and 0119 on 20 December, though cloudy weather conditions prevented visual confirmation.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


23 November-29 November 2022 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported continuing eruptive activity at Rincón de la Vieja characterized by occasional small phreatic explosions; five were recorded during 19-25 November. A notable variability in sulfur dioxide emissions was first observed on 18 November and continued through the week, with a peak measurement as high as 1,500 tons per day. A phreatic explosion at 1432 on 25 November produced a steam-rich plume that rose 2 km and drifted SW.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


5 October-11 October 2022 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported continuing eruptive activity at Rincón de la Vieja characterized by occasional small phreatic explosions. A small explosion at 1923 on 4 October lasted two minutes but was not visually observed due to darkness and weather conditions. Small gas-and-steam emissions were recorded at 1647 on 8 October and 0940 on 9 October; at least the first emission was seen rising above the crater rim.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


14 September-20 September 2022 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported continuing eruptive activity at Rincón de la Vieja characterized by occasional small phreatic explosions. A small explosion at 0147 on 14 September produced a steam-and-gas plume that rose 600 m above the crater rim. Low-frequency tremor began at 0900 on 17 September and was possibly associated with small eruptive events, though they were not visually confirmed. A possible emission was recorded at 0219.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


7 September-13 September 2022 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported continuing eruptive activity at Rincón de la Vieja characterized by occasional small phreatic explosions. A small hydrothermal explosion at 1510 on 8 September produced a steam-and-gas plume that rose 500 m above the crater rim. During a clear observation period from 0500 to 0800 on 10 September scientists saw a continuous gas-and-steam plume and noted a hydrothermal explosion at 0640.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


1 June-7 June 2022 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported continuing eruptive activity at Rincón de la Vieja characterized by small phreatic explosions. A minor emission was possibly recorded on 4 June, though it could not be visually confirmed due to darkness. An eruptive event at 0804 on 6 June produced a steam plume that rose about 3 km above the summit. Sulfur dioxide from the plume was detected by an instrument located to the S. Another event was recorded at 1204 later that day, though a plume was not visible due to weather conditions.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


25 May-31 May 2022 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that several small phreatic explosions at Rincón de la Vieja were recorded during 25-28 May. A phreatic explosion at 1730 on 25 May produced minor ashfall on local plants located on the upper flanks. Weather conditions often prevented views of plumes.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


18 May-24 May 2022 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that a few small phreatic explosions at Rincón de la Vieja were recorded during the previous week. A phreatic explosion at 1343 on 18 May produced a steam-and-gas plume that rose 200 m above the crater rim. At 1710 on 19 May an eruptive event produced a gas-and-steam plume that rose 100 m above the summit. More small eruptive events at 0251 and 0443 on 21 May were recorded by seismic and infrasound instruments.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


11 May-17 May 2022 Citation IconCite this Report

On 13 May OVSICORI-UNA reported that 23 small phreatic explosions at Rincón de la Vieja were recorded during the previous week. Eruptive events at 2328 on 10 May and 0700 on 11 May were recorded by the seismic network through darkness and cloudy weather conditions prevented visual confirmation. Tremor levels decreased significantly on 12 May.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


4 May-10 May 2022 Citation IconCite this Report

On 5 May OVSICORI-UNA reported an average of two daily phreatic explosions at Rincón de la Vieja during the previous week. The events did not eject material outside of the crater and produced steam plumes that rose no higher than 200 m above the crater rim. A phreatic explosion at 1650 on 6 May produced a steam plume that rose 500 m. A few phreatic explosions and several steam emissions were recorded on 7 May. Several steam emissions were also recorded on 8 May.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


20 April-26 April 2022 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that a small eruptive event at Rincón de la Vieja was recorded at 0618 on 25 April, though it was not visible due to weather conditions. Another small event was recorded at 0156 on 26 April; the plume was not visible due to conditions.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


6 April-12 April 2022 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that a small eruptive event at Rincón de la Vieja was recorded at 0136 on 6 April, though the event was not visible due to poor visibility. Two small phreatic eruptions were recorded on 7 April at 1141 and 1323, based on webcam data. The resulting plumes rose 1,000 m and 500 m above the crater, respectively.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


30 March-5 April 2022 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that 10 eruptive events at Rincón de la Vieja had been recorded since 15 March, one of which was detected on 27 March. Between 28 and 29 March a swarm of long-period earthquakes were detected. On 4 April at 1042 an eruption that lasted 1.5 minutes produced a plume, but the height was not observed due to weather conditions.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


23 March-29 March 2022 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that several eruptive events at Rincón de la Vieja were recorded during 22-26 March, though none were visible due to weather conditions. A one-minute-long event was recorded at 0350 on 22 March. A series of pulses occurred over a 20-minute period, at 0140, 0146, and 0159 on 23 March, with additional small events at 1045, 1339, 1939, and 2244. According to the Washington VAAC a possible ash emission was visible in satellite images at 1420 drifting W at an altitude of 2.7 km (9,000 ft) a.s.l. OVSICORI-UNA noted that a series of small eruptive events were recorded during 0129-0140 on 25 March. A small eruption with possible two separate pulses was recorded on 26 March.

Sources: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA); Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)


16 March-22 March 2022 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that eruptive events at Rincón de la Vieja were recorded at 0405 on 19 March, 1402 on 20 March, and 0350 on 22 March. The events lasted 1-8 minutes each and no plumes were visible due to weather conditions.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


9 March-15 March 2022 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that an eruptive event at Rincón de la Vieja was recorded at 0956 on 15 March. No plumes were visible due to weather conditions.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


2 February-8 February 2022 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that an eruption at Rincón de la Vieja was recorded at 1853 on 2 February. No plumes were visible due to weather conditions.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


26 January-1 February 2022 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that eruptions were recorded at Rincón de la Vieja at 2250 on 26 January, at 0716 and 1050 on 27 January, at 1308 on 30 January, and at 0447 on 1 February. No plumes were visible due to cloud cover or darkness.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


19 January-25 January 2022 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that two eruptions were recorded at Rincón de la Vieja, at 2227 on 20 January and 0225 on 23 January, though weather conditions prevented visual confirmation of plumes. Each event was 1-2 minutes long. At 1139 on 25 January an eruption produced a plume that rose 500-1,000 m.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


12 January-18 January 2022 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that at 0024 on 13 January a two-minute eruption was recorded at Rincón de la Vieja, though weather clouds prevented visual confirmation. Residents to the N heard the eruption and felt vibrations, and lahars were seen in the Rio Azul. Small eruptive events were recorded at 1153 on 15 January and 1243 on 18 January, but plumes were not visible due to weather clouds.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


5 January-11 January 2022 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that multiple eruptive events were recorded at Rincón de la Vieja on 5 January, though most of them were small. A notable explosion at 1833 ejected incandescent material above the crater rim that was visible in webcam images for about 30 seconds. Darkness obscured views of a plume and no ash was visible in satellite images. Residents reported hearing a loud explosion and sounds indicating active lahars; lahars in the Penjamo and Azufrado rivers reached residential areas within 50 minutes of the event. An eruptive event was recorded at 1858 on 10 January, though cloud cover prevented visual confirmation.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


29 December-4 January 2022 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that at 1437 on 1 January a small eruption at Rincón de la Vieja produced a plume that rose 50 m above the crater rim. A small eruption was recorded by the seismic network at 0431 on 4 January, though weather clouds prevented visual confirmation. The amplitude of the seismic signal was similar to those recorded for events occurring in the previous few weeks.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


22 December-28 December 2021 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that at 1015 on 25 December a small eruption at Rincón de la Vieja was recorded for about four minutes but not visually observed due to weather clouds. Rains after the event and continuing early on 26 December washed the acidic sediment deposited from the volcano downstream in the Pénjamo, Azul, and Azufrada drainages, into the aquatic ecosystem. Phreatic events were recorded at 1402 and 1630 on 28 December though weather conditions prevented visual confirmation.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


13 October-19 October 2021 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that at 0750 on 13 October an eruption at Rincón de la Vieja produced a plume that rose 500 m above the crater rim and drifted SW. Fumarolic activity inside the crater was visible during 14-15 October.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


25 August-31 August 2021 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that small eruptive events at Rincón de la Vieja were recorded at 1915, 2049, and 2053 on 26 August, though weather conditions prevented visual confirmation of emissions. A one-minute-long phreatic eruption was recorded at 1446 on 27 or 28 August and produced an eruption plume that rose 1 km above the crater rim.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


11 August-17 August 2021 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that eruptive events at Rincón de la Vieja were recorded at 1052 on 12 August and 0703 on 13 August, though weather conditions prevented visual confirmation of emissions. Fumarolic activity within the crater increased during 16-17 August.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


28 July-3 August 2021 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that an eruptive event at Rincón de la Vieja was recorded at 1133 on 1 August, though weather conditions prevented visual confirmation of emissions.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


30 June-6 July 2021 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that an eruption at Rincón de la Vieja was recorded at 0838 on 1 July, though weather conditions prevented visual confirmation of emissions. Small emissions were visible at 0937, 0940, and 1006 on 3 July. Small steam plumes were seen on 4 July, but too small to be recorded by the seismic network.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


23 June-29 June 2021 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that at 0542 on 28 June an eruption at Rincón de la Vieja produced a steam-and-ash plume that rose 2 km above the crater rim and ejected material onto the flanks. Residents in Gavilan de Dos Ríos (7 km N and NNW) and Bromelias (6 km NNE) reported volcanic gas odors and ashfall. Lahars descended multiple drainages on the N flank.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


4 November-10 November 2020 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that small-to-moderate hydrothermal eruptions at Rincón de la Vieja had greater amplitudes but were more sporadic during 2-9 November. An eruptive event at 0835 on 3 November produced a plume that rose 800 m above the crater rim.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


30 September-6 October 2020 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that small, frequent (1-2 events per day) eruptions at Rincón de la Vieja continued to be recorded, though sometimes not visually confirmed, during 30 September-6 October. Eruption plumes often rose 500-800 m above the crater rim but on 1 and 6 October they rose 1 km.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


16 September-22 September 2020 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that small, frequent eruptions at Rincón de la Vieja continued to be recorded, though sometimes not visually confirmed, during 16-22 September. A larger event, at 1053 on 22 September, ejected material out of the crater and into the drainages on the N flank.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


2 September-8 September 2020 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that on 3 September geologists observed Rincón de la Vieja from the summit and noted that the acid lake in the main crater had a low water level, was actively convecting, and exhibited strong gas emissions. The temperature of the lake was 60 degrees Celsius. Vigorous fumaroles on the inner W wall of the crater were 120 degrees Celsius. At 0559 on 8 September an eruption produced a plume that rose 500 m above the crater rim.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


26 August-1 September 2020 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported continuing phreatic activity at Rincón de la Vieja during 19 August-1 September. Phreatic explosions were recorded almost daily, sometimes multiple times a day, though weather conditions often prevented visual confirmation of emissions. Plumes were seen rising 0.5-1 km above the crater rim on 19, 24, 28, and 31 August.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


5 August-11 August 2020 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that phreatic activity at Rincón de la Vieja had significantly decreased compared to activity during January-May. Events were recorded at 0546 on 5 August and at 1000 on 8 August, but not visually confirmed due to weather conditions. A phreatic explosion at 0035 on 6 August generated a plume that rose 500 m above the crater rim. Small steam plumes were visible on 10 August; one at 0845 was likely produced from a small phreatic event. Another s small phreatic event was detected later that day at 2346.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


22 July-28 July 2020 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that periodic phreatic explosions at Rincón de la Vieja were recorded by the seismic network and webcams during 22-25 July. Sometimes the events were not visually confirmed due to weather conditions. Small eruptive events were recorded during 0700-0900 on 22 July, and during the first part of the day on 23 July; a minor steam plume was visible at 0536 on 23 July. An eruptive event at 0153 on 25 July produced a plume that rose 1 km above the crater rim.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


17 June-23 June 2020 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that periodic phreatic explosions at Rincón de la Vieja continued to be recorded by the seismic network and webcams during 16-23 June. Several small eruptive events were recorded during 16-17 June; the largest event occurred at 1635 on 17 June and produced a plume that rose 1 km above the crater rim. Eruptive events were detected at 1442 on 19 June and 1046 on 23 June, though inclement weather conditions prevented visual confirmation.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


27 May-2 June 2020 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that periodic phreatic explosions at Rincón de la Vieja continued to be recorded by the seismic network and webcams during 26-29 May and 1-2 June. Some of the events were not visually confirmed by webcams because of weather conditions or darkness. On 26 May a minor amount of ash fell in areas to the NW including in Los Angeles of Quebrada Grande, and Liberia. A phreatic eruption at 1521 on 27 May generated a plume that rose 1.5 km above the crater rim. At 1524 on 28 May an event generated a plume that rose 3 km above the rim and drifted W. Phreatic eruptions at 1745 on 1 June, and at 1446 and 1701 on 2 June produced plumes that rose 1-2 km.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


20 May-26 May 2020 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that periodic phreatic explosions at Rincón de la Vieja continued to be recorded by the seismic network and webcams during 20-26 May; most plumes rose no higher than 500 m above the crater rim. Some of the events were not visually confirmed by webcams because of weather conditions or darkness. A small ash eruption at 0537 on 21 May produced a plume that rose 1 km above the crater rim and contained less water vapor than plumes from eruptive events in the past weeks. Plumes from eruptive events at 1624 on 22 May and 0608 on 24 May rose 1 km above the rim. An event at 0325 on 25 May was heard by residents to the N but was no visually confirmed due to darkness. Later that day, in the early evening, an hour-long sequence of eruptions produced gas-and-steam plumes and ejected tephra no higher than the crater rim (except for an event at 1738).

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


13 May-19 May 2020 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that periodic phreatic explosions at Rincón de la Vieja continued to be recorded by the seismic network and webcams during 13-19 May. Some of the events were not visually confirmed by webcams because of weather conditions or darkness. Two events, at 0524 and 0704 on 14 May produced steam plumes that rose 500 m above the crater rim. A few events were recorded the next morning. At 1127 on 15 May an event was characterized by local residents as a gas-and-steam plume rising 1 km above the crater rim and a gray, sediment-laden plume rising 400 m. Events at 0604, 0644, 0819, and 0825 on 17 May produced steam plumes that rose 500 m above the rim.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


6 May-12 May 2020 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported periodic phreatic explosions at Rincón de la Vieja during 6-12 May. Phreatic explosions were recorded at 1624 on 6 May and 0343 on 8 May, though inclement weather conditions hindered visual confirmation. Two small emissions were noted at 1850 on 8 May and at 0020 on 9 May. An event at 1925 on 9 May generated a gas-and-steam plume that rose almost 2 km above the crater rim.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


29 April-5 May 2020 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported two phreatic explosions at Rincón de la Vieja during 30 April-5 May and continuing fluctuations in tremor levels. At 1610 on 30 April an event produced a gas-and-steam plume that rose 1.5 km above the crater rim. At 1317 on 5 May a steam plume rose 200 m above the rim.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


22 April-28 April 2020 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported periodic phreatic explosions at Rincón de la Vieja during 22-28 April. At 0535 on 22 April a phreatic event was recorded by the seismic network; weather conditions prevented good visual observations, though a steam plume was seen rising 1.5 km above the crater rim. There were five events recorded by the seismic network during the morning of 24 April, with most producing steam-and-gas plumes that rose 300-500 m above the crater rim. The largest event, recorded at 1020, ejected water and solid material 300 m above the crater rim and a steam plume that rose 1 km. An event at 1547 on 26 April ejected sediment 200 m above the rim and plumes 300 m above the rim. A plume with no ash rose 1 km at 1720 on 27 April.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


15 April-21 April 2020 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported periodic hydrothermal explosions at Rincón de la Vieja during 15-21 April. At 0306 on 15 April a phreatic eruption was recorded by the seismic network; weather conditions prevented visual confirmation, though local residents reported lahars in the Pénjamo, Azufrada, and Azul rivers. A steam plume from a phreatic event at 0929 on 18 April rose 200 m above the crater rim. Several small events were detected during the morning of 19 April but none produced plumes that rose above the rim. At 1014 a phreatic eruption ejected water and sediment 300 m above the crater rim and onto the flank, and produced a steam-and-gas plume that rose 1.5 km above rim. A lahar followed the activity. During 20-21 April several low-energy puffs of gas-and-steam were recorded. A low-energy event at 0626 on 21 April generated a steam plume that rose 1 km above the crater rim.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


8 April-14 April 2020 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported periodic hydrothermal explosions at Rincón de la Vieja during 8-14 April. A possible small eruption occurred at 0658 on 8 April and was followed by a decrease in the amplitude of tremor signals. Beginning at 0033 on 11 April a small-scale hydrothermal explosion was recorded by the infrasoiund and seismic networks for 20 seconds. Water and sediment was ejected onto the upper flanks of the volcano. The event was recorded by the webcam located in Sensoria, 4 km N of the crater. In the morning local residents noted that the water in the Pénjamo River was milky white. A small hydrothermal explosion at 0251 on 13 April produced a plume of steam and gas that rose 500 m.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


1 April-7 April 2020 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that occasional low-frequency and low-amplitude volcanic earthquakes were ongoing at Rincón de la Vieja. A steam explosion was recorded at 0240 on 1 April. An eruption at 0824 on 4 April generated a plume that rose 1 km above the crater rim. Continuous activity during part of 6-7 April produced emissions rising 50 m above the crater rim.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


11 March-17 March 2020 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported a minor increase in tremor amplitude at Rincón de la Vieja beginning at 0200 on 12 March. At 1845 on 14 March an eruption was recorded by the seismic network, but weather conditions prevented visual confirmation; strong tremor was recorded during 1845-2030. Tremor levels increased at around 0300 on 15 March and stopped around 0100 on 17 March, possibly indicating a small eruption.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


29 January-4 February 2020 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that at 1213 on 30 January a phreatic eruption at Rincón de la Vieja ejected material onto the N flanks and generated a plume that rose 2 km above the crater rim. Lahars descended rivers on the N flank and reached populated areas 7-10 km downriver around 40 minutes after the eruption.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


5 June-11 June 2019 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that a 10-minute-long eruption at Rincón de la Vieja began at 0343 on 11 June. Emissions were not visible due to weather conditions.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


15 May-21 May 2019 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that phreatic eruptions at Rincón de la Vieja were recorded at 1703 on 14 May and 0357 on 17 May, though dense fog prevented visual confirmation of both events with webcams. On 15 May a local observer noted a diffuse plume of steam, gas, and particulates rising from the crater and photographed milky-gray deposits on the N part of the crater rim, ejected from the event the day before.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


8 May-14 May 2019 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that an eruption at Rincón de la Vieja recorded at 0720 on 11 May produced a white gas-and-steam plume that rose 600 m above the crater rim.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


10 April-16 April 2019 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that an eruption at Rincón de la Vieja recorded at 0617 on 10 April produced a gas-and-steam plume that rose 1 km above the crater rim and drifted SE. At 0643 on 12 April a plume rose 500 m. Another event was detected at 0700 on 13 April, although poor weather conditions prevented visual observations. On 14 April OVSICORI-UNA noted that aerial photographs taken during an overflight showed a milky-gray acid lake at a relatively low water level with convection cells of several tens meters of diameter in the center and Eastern parts of the lake.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


3 April-9 April 2019 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that continuous emissions at Rincón de la Vieja were visible during 3-4 April rising 200 m above the crater rim. A small eruption was recorded at 1437.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


27 March-2 April 2019 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that a two-minute-long phreatic eruption at Rincón de la Vieja was recorded at 0802 on 1 April and produced a plume that rose 600 m above the crater rim. The report noted that a previous event had occurred at 2043 on 29 March. Intermittent tremor was recorded in between the two events.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


20 March-26 March 2019 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that a small event at Rincón de la Vieja was recorded at 1851 on 19 March.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


6 February-12 February 2019 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported possible events at Rincón de la Vieja at 1906 and 1950 on 5 February and at 0120 on 6 February. An event at 0000 on 6 February was also recorded; the report noted that poor weather conditions prevented visual observations of the crater.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


28 November-4 December 2018 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported a one-minute-long eruption at Rincón de la Vieja began at 1054 on 3 December. Weather conditions prevented webcam views and estimates of plume heights.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


21 November-27 November 2018 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that at 0237 on 27 November a hydrothermal explosion at Rincón de la Vieja produced a plume of water vapor and gas that rose 600 m above the crater rim and drifted SW.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


7 November-13 November 2018 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported a two-minute-long eruption at Rincón de la Vieja began at 1703 on 9 November. Weather conditions prevented webcam views and estimates of plume heights.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


31 October-6 November 2018 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that an eruptive sequence at Rincón de la Vieja began at 1945 on 4 November and consisted of at least three two-minute-long episodes. Weather conditions prevented webcam views and estimates of plume heights. The next day at 1511 a plume of water vapor and diffuse gas, recorded by a webcam and visible to residents to the N, rose about 100 m above the crater rim and drifted W.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


29 August-4 September 2018 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported two distinct, two-minute-long eruptions at Rincón de la Vieja beginning at 0434 and 1305 on 31 August. Weather conditions prevented webcam views and estimates of plume heights.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


8 August-14 August 2018 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that a three-minute-long eruption at Rincón de la Vieja began at 1828 on 14 August. Foggy conditions prevented webcam views and an estimate of a plume height.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


25 July-31 July 2018 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that a small explosion at Rincón de la Vieja was recorded at 1828 on 28 July, and was followed by tremor.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


3 January-9 January 2018 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that at 1758 on 9 January an eruption at Rincón de la Vieja produced a plume that rose 1 km above the crater rim.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


4 October-10 October 2017 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that at 1048 on 9 October a small eruption at Rincón de la Vieja produced a plume that rose 700 m above the crater rim.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


27 September-3 October 2017 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that at 0858 on 29 September a small phreatic explosion at Rincón de la Vieja produced a plume that rose 1 km above the crater rim; material also flowed down the S flank. On 3 October events at 0848 and 1445 generated plumes that rose 700 m and 1,500 m, respectively.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


5 July-11 July 2017 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that at 0849 on 5 July a small phreatic eruption at Rincón de la Vieja ejected material that fell within the crater.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


21 June-27 June 2017 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that at 1456 on 23 June a phreatic eruption at Rincón de la Vieja ejected sediment onto the upper N flank and generated a plume that rose 1-2 km above the summit. The plume dispersed sediments to the W and NW, near the Von Seebach crater (about 3 km SW of the active crater).

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


14 June-20 June 2017 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that on 15 June a diffuse plume of mainly water vapor rose 50 m above Rincón de la Vieja's crater rim. A small hydrothermal explosion from the crater with the highly acidic lake was detected around noon on 18 June. In a report posted the next day OVSICORI-UNA noted that seismicity was characterized by low-frequency events, volcano-tectonic events, and tremor with intensifying amplitude; the seismic patterns were similar to those that preceded the phreatomagmatic events on 23 May and 11 June, though the recent seismicity was not as energetic.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


7 June-13 June 2017 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that a small, minute-long, phreatic eruption in Rincón de la Vieja's crater lake began at 0542 on 11 June. Poor visibility prevented visual confirmation of plume details, though the Washington VAAC reported that a thermal anomaly was present in satellite images. A small seismic signal that lasted less than one minute was recorded at 2106 on 12 June. The signal possibly represented an emission, though it was not confirmed.

Sources: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA); Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC)


24 May-30 May 2017 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that a small hydrothermal explosion occurred at 1020 on 23 May in Rincón de la Vieja's crater lake, producing a small lahar that traveled down the N flank of the crater.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


27 April-3 May 2016 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that a moderate hydrothermal explosion occurred at 1437 on 1 May in Rincón de la Vieja's crater lake. The seismic network recorded the explosion for 11 minutes.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


16 March-22 March 2016 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that the seismic station located 1.8 km from Rincón de la Vieja recorded increased activity between late September and early November 2015, which became further evident in February 2016. Field investigations were conducted in February and March to assess this recent activity.

Between October 2015 and the first half of March 2016, the seismic network detected 69 events accompanying eruptive events though few of them and any resulting deposits were visually confirmed. Of the 69 events, seismic signals indicated that 28 of them occurred as a series of explosions during 17-18 October 2015, culminating with a major eruption at 0059 on 18 October. During February-15 March both the number of eruptive events and the energy of those events increased significantly; the data suggested that the events were phreatic. The two highest-energy events occurred at 0912 on 9 February and at 1354 on 9 March.

During fieldwork on 3 March, volcanologists found sediment deposits from the crater lake in an area about 200 m from the active crater, from phreatic activity and possibly strong westward-blowing winds. They heard three phreatic explosions, at 1204, 1209, and 1318; the third one was the strongest and lasted just over a minute. All three were followed by a strong sulfur dioxide odor. On 8 March volcanologists noted ash deposits, from recent weeks, as far as about 120 m from the crater rim covering an estimated area of 0.02 square kilometers. The temperature of the lake water was 45 degrees Celsius on average and 55 degrees in the convection cell. Gas measurements suggested a magmatic component, with a carbon dioxide to sulfur dioxide ratio of 2. The ratio of water vapor to sulfur dioxide was about 300, higher than the 100-200 ratio detected in previous years; degassing of the lake increased in March. Preliminary analysis of ash ejected during March activity suggested the possibility of a magmatic component. Photos from area residents of explosions during 9-10 March showed ash-and-steam plumes rising as high as 850 m above the crater.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


17 September-23 September 2014 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that at 1237 on 17 September a seismic signal indicating a phreatic explosion at Rincón de la Vieja was detected by a station about 5 km S of the volcano. A second phreatic explosion, detected at 2048 and lasting three minutes, was of a larger magnitude and a longer duration that the first explosion. Phreatic explosions were also detected at 1825 on 19 September and at 0304, 0439, and 0634 on 20 September. Residents on the N flank heard the event on 19 September and saw the explosion at 0634 on 20 September. An overflight of the crater lake on 20 September revealed that the temperature of the lake water was about 45 degrees Celsius, an increase from about 30 degrees measured in April.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


27 February-5 March 2013 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA received reports at 0530 on 26 February of pulsing white plumes rising from Rincon de la Vieja's active crater about every four minutes. The seismic records showed no signals associated with a phreatic eruption or sudden gas output. Cloud cover prevented views of the active crater during an overflight later that day, however clear views of the N and S flanks and areas SW showed no changes.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


11 April-17 April 2012 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that a small phreatic eruption occurred within and around the hot acidic lake of Rincon de la Vieja at 1400 on 14 April. Observers from nearby communities N of the volcano reported some sediment deposition along the outer N flanks of the main active crater and a white steam plume rising to a considerable height above the crater.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


22 February-28 February 2012 Citation IconCite this Report

OVSICORI-UNA reported that seismic data revealed two eruptions on 19 and 20 February from Rincón de la Vieja's active crater. Two more eruptions also occurred on 23 February. Explosions were heard in Guachipelin (11 km SW) between 0400 and 0430.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


28 September-4 October 2011 Citation IconCite this Report

On 30 September, OVSICORI-UNA reported phreatic eruptions from Rincón de la Vieja's active crater during the previous six weeks. A well-documented event on 16 September ejected sediment that covered sections of the upper N walls. Some of the material was washed down the flanks and caused changes in water quality along the main creeks and major rivers up to 18 km away from the source. The death of several fish species was noted the next day and sediment deposits 10-15 cm deep were sampled 2 km N of the active crater. Scientists conducting fieldwork during 27-29 September observed that the hot lake was convecting and grayish in color due to the suspended sediments. Preliminary deformation and temperature measurements did not indicate any significant changes.

Source: Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA)


Bulletin Reports - Index

Reports are organized chronologically and indexed below by Month/Year (Publication Volume:Number), and include a one-line summary. Click on the index link or scroll down to read the reports.

05/1969 (CSLP 41-69) Ash eruption on 22 April

06/1969 (CSLP 41-69) No signs of activity observed

09/1969 (CSLP 41-69) Ashfalls on 20 September

08/1970 (CSLP 73-70) New eruption on 25 August produces great ash clouds

11/1982 (SEAN 07:11) No activity at the summit crater

03/1983 (SEAN 08:03) Tephra eruption from crater lake

04/1986 (SEAN 11:04) Tephra and trees down from fall 1985 eruption

02/1987 (SEAN 12:02) Small explosion

04/1987 (SEAN 12:04) Phreatic eruption; lahars

04/1989 (SEAN 14:04) Crater lake sampled

09/1990 (BGVN 15:09) Continued fumarolic activity; drop in crater lake water level

04/1991 (BGVN 16:04) Ash ejection and lahars

05/1991 (BGVN 16:05) More details on 8 May eruption and deposits

07/1991 (BGVN 16:07) Seismicity and tremor

08/1991 (BGVN 16:08) Explosions eject ash and blocks

02/1992 (BGVN 17:02) Gas emission and sporadic phreatic eruptions

03/1992 (BGVN 17:03) Small explosions and rumbling; earthquakes

05/1992 (BGVN 17:05) Thermal activity from crater lake; occasional seismicity

06/1992 (BGVN 17:06) Continued fumarolic activity

08/1992 (BGVN 17:08) Strong degassing; explosion seismicity

09/1992 (BGVN 17:09) Strong fumarolic activity; seismic swarm

10/1992 (BGVN 17:10) Degassing and minor seismicity

01/1993 (BGVN 18:01) Fumaroles; minor seismicity

02/1993 (BGVN 18:02) Gas plumes rise to 500 m; lake level drops

03/1993 (BGVN 18:03) Hour-long earthquake swarm

04/1993 (BGVN 18:04) Seismic activity continues

05/1993 (BGVN 18:05) Seismicity continues

09/1993 (BGVN 18:09) Crater lake level drops 10 m

01/1994 (BGVN 19:01) New seismic data, but still relatively quiet

03/1994 (BGVN 19:03) Subaqueous degassing; fractures surrounding SE crater rim

04/1994 (BGVN 19:04) Decreased seismicity

09/1994 (BGVN 19:09) Vigorous fumarolic activity

10/1994 (BGVN 19:10) Thirty-one small high-frequency events

11/1994 (BGVN 19:11) Vigorous fumarolic activity continues

12/1994 (BGVN 19:12) Minor seismicity

01/1995 (BGVN 20:01) Ongoing low-frequency seismic signals and fumarolic venting

04/1995 (BGVN 20:04) Description of the crater lake and fumaroles

09/1995 (BGVN 20:09) Seismic activity continues at a rate of tens of events per month

10/1995 (BGVN 20:10) New eruption; lahars damage a bridge and lead to evacuations

12/1995 (BGVN 20:11) Additional details about the 6-10 November eruption

01/1996 (BGVN 21:01) Eruption on 11-13 November followed by decreasing seismicity

03/1996 (BGVN 21:03) Mild seismicity continues in February

05/1996 (BGVN 21:05) Seven minor seismic events

06/1996 (BGVN 21:06) Six-fold seismic increase over previous months in 1996

08/1996 (BGVN 21:08) Small local earthquakes

01/1997 (BGVN 22:01) Sulfur-bearing steam, mass wasting, and acid rain in September

05/1997 (BGVN 22:05) Conspicuous fumaroles and plumes persist

09/1997 (BGVN 22:09) Variable but modest seismicity during June-September 1997

03/1998 (BGVN 23:03) Phreatic eruptions on 15-17 February thrust steam to 2 km

06/1998 (BGVN 23:06) Non-eruptive and relatively quiet seismically during April-June

06/1999 (BGVN 24:06) 1.5-year record of seismicity and eruptions through May 1999

03/2000 (BGVN 25:03) Non-eruptive through November 1999 but with ongoing tremor

11/2001 (BGVN 26:11) Fumarolically active through August 2001

10/2007 (BGVN 32:10) Continued fumarolic activity; sulfur floating in the lake

07/2008 (BGVN 33:07) Tremor durations from minutes to over an hour during June-April 2008

04/2011 (BGVN 36:04) Fumarolically active but non-eruptive through January 2011

01/2016 (BGVN 41:01) Explosive eruptions resume in August 2011 after 13 years; intermittent activity through 2015

08/2017 (BGVN 42:08) Phreatic explosions disperse material up to 2 km from the active crater in March 2016 and June 2017

03/2018 (BGVN 43:03) Phreatic explosions during 29 September-22 October 2017

09/2018 (BGVN 43:09) Intermittent weak phreatic explosions during January-March and July-August 2018

04/2019 (BGVN 44:04) Occasional weak phreatic explosions continue through February 2019

08/2019 (BGVN 44:08) Occasional weak phreatic explosions during March-July 2019

04/2020 (BGVN 45:04) Weak phreatic explosions during August 2019-March 2020; ash and lahars reported in late January

10/2020 (BGVN 45:10) Frequent small phreatic explosions with intermittent ash plumes during April-September 2020

03/2021 (BGVN 46:03) Frequent small phreatic explosions through 13 December 2020

11/2021 (BGVN 46:11) Powerful explosion on 28 June 2021 sends plume 5 km above crater

07/2022 (BGVN 47:07) Numerous weak explosions from September 2021 through June 2022

01/2023 (BGVN 48:01) Continuing frequent weak phreatic explosions during July-December 2022




Information is preliminary and subject to change. All times are local (unless otherwise noted)


May 1969 (CSLP 41-69)

Ash eruption on 22 April

Card 0521 (01 May 1969) Ash eruption on 22 April

"Initial activity appears to have occurred on 22 April at 1630 with ash eruption from 8,000 to 10,000 feet. No further ash eruptions reported. Observer also reports number of 'gas eruptions like funnel of ship' with increasing activity from 22 to 30 April with strong gas eruptions from 1300 to 1400 on 29 April. While volcanic activity at Rincón de la Vieja occurs relatively frequently, local opinion characterizes present eruptions as somewhat unusual."

Card 0531 (06 May 1969) Fumarole erupting dense gas

"Observation top crater Rincón de la Vieja obscured by heavy cloud cover, but observer reports a fumarole located at Quebrada Grande (same volcano) was erupting very strong and dense sulfuric gases. Observer reports this as being 'an extraordinary phenomenon.'"

Information Contacts:
Card 0521 (01 May 1969) Richard Berg, American Embassy, San José, Costa Rica.
Card 0531 (06 May 1969) Richard Berg, American Embassy, San José, Costa Rica.


June 1969 (CSLP 41-69)

No signs of activity observed

Card 0568 (04 June 1969) No signs of activity observed

The following is from a cable received on 3 June. On or about 21 May Rodrigo Sáenz observed the main crater and reports no sign of activity.

Information Contacts: Richard Berg, American Embassy, San José, Costa Rica


September 1969 (CSLP 41-69)

Ashfalls on 20 September

Card 0763 (24 September 1969) Ashfalls on 20 September

The following cable was received on 23 September. "Volcanic ash fell on Liberia and surrounding areas during early a.m., early p.m., and late p.m. on 20 September 1969 reportedly from eruption of Rincón de la Vieja. Because of heavy rains and cloud cover on 21 and 22 September impossible to report any further details whether activity is continuing at this time."

Information Contacts: Richard Berg, American Embassy, San José, Costa Rica.


August 1970 (CSLP 73-70)

New eruption on 25 August produces great ash clouds

Card 0996 (26 August 1970) New eruption on 25 August produces great ash clouds

The following cable was received on 25 August 1970. "A new eruption of the Rincón de la Vieja volcano was reported at 1100 GMT, 25 August with great clouds of ashes and smoke. The first eruption of the volcano was reported at 0549 local time 25 August. Dispatches received from Liberia reported that the volcanic activity is similar to that of the last eruption of the Irazu volcano."

Card 0999 (27 August 1970) Most ash blown over the ocean

The following cable was received on 27 August 1970 from the American Embassy. "Rodrigo Sáenz reports single eruption at Rincón de la Vieja at 0500 on 25 August produced minor ash cloud. Some ashfall over Liberia but most apparently blown to sea by winds. Ash clouds height estimated 1,000 feet. Sáenz states eruption similar to one he witnessed 14 August. No eruptions occurred between 14 and 25 August."

Information Contacts:
Card 0996 (26 August 1970) Rodrigo Sáenz R., Seccion Sismologica y Vulcanologia de Industria y Comercio, San José, Costa Rica (via San José Radio).
Card 0999 (27 August 1970) Rodrigo Sáenz R., Seccion Sismologica y Vulcanologia de Industria y Comercio, San José, Costa Rica.T. Solitario, American Embassy, San José, Costa Rica.


November 1982 (SEAN 07:11) Citation IconCite this Report

No activity at the summit crater

"In November the odor of H2S was present from the summit crater, but there was no visible gas plume and no eruptive activity. Low-temperature steam vents and mudpots persisted at Estación las Pailas, at the foot of the volcano."

Information Contacts: R. Stoiber, S. Williams, H.R. Naslund, C. Connor, J. Prosser, and J.B. Gemmell, Dartmouth College; E. Malavassi and J. Barquero H., Univ. Nacional, Heredia.


March 1983 (SEAN 08:03) Citation IconCite this Report

Tephra eruption from crater lake

This paragraph is primarily from a report by Jorge Barquero H. and Juan de Dios Segura. During the night of 6 February, residents of towns (Dos Ríos de Upala, Colonia Blanca, and Colonia Libertad) 8 km N and NE of the volcano heard strong rumblings and observed the rise of a large eruption column from the crater. Personnel from the Proyecto de Investigaciones Vulcanológicas climbed the volcano 19 February. The odor of sulfur was stronger than it had been during their previous ascent in November 1982. Phreatomagmatic eruptions had ejected bombs, lapilli, and ash, as well as blocks 10-100 cm in diameter that formed impact craters. Tephra fell SE, S, and SW of the vent to a distance of about 1.5 km. Destruction, primarily to vegetation, was greatest to the SE and S. The tephra had a high water content because the vent contained a lake. Strong rains and rapid erosion since the eruption made it difficult to calculate the original depth of the airfall deposits, although in some places SE of the vent they were 4 cm thick. The eroded ash washed into a ravine, producing a small mudflow in a NE flank river (Río Pénjamo), causing the deaths of thousands of fish 7-8 February, possibly because of the acidity of the water. The pH of the cold lake was 3.5 on 19 February and 4.1 on 5 March.

Jorge Barquero H., J. Bruce Gemmell, and Jerry Prosser climbed the volcano on November 1982, and Gemmell provided the following report. "Rincón de la Vieja is a large composite volcano with a series of collapse craters aligned ENE-WSW. Its main cone is covered with thick vegetation but three craters to the W are not vegetated. The most recently active crater (250 m in diameter) is 1 km NW of the main cone. No activity or gas emissions were seen in this crater and a cold yellowish-green lake covered the crater floor. No steam was rising from the lake but two areas of brown discoloration near its center may have indicated subaqueous vents. The area around the summit craters was covered with accessory blocks of andesitic lava and tuff breccias, in addition to juvenile andesitic breadcrust bombs, lapilli, and ash from the most recent recorded eruptions in 1966-70. Numerous mudpots, hot springs, and steam vents occurred in two main areas (Aguas Termales and Sitio Hornillas), on the S flank at about 900 m elevation."

Further Reference. Barquero, J., and de Diós Segura, J., 1983, La Actividad del Volcán Rincón de la Vieja: Boletín de Vulcanología, no. 13, p. 5-10.

Information Contacts: J. Barquero H. and J. de Dios Segura, Univ. Nacional, Heredia; J.B. Gemmell and J. Prosser, Dartmouth College; R. Sáenz R., Ministro de Energía y Minas; La República, San José.


April 1986 (SEAN 11:04) Citation IconCite this Report

Tephra and trees down from fall 1985 eruption

The following reports are from the Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismologico de Costa Rica (OVSICORI). "After several attempts to climb to the summit of Rincón de la Vieja were turned back by bad weather, we reached the active crater on 19 April with W. Melson of the Smithsonian Institution. During this visit, we were able to confirm that there had been a recent eruption, since we encountered recently erupted material and a devastated area, both SE of the crater.

"At the time of our previous ascent, in August 1985, this tephra had not been deposited. In a photograph taken 25 November 1985 by E. Valverde, it is possible to observe white tephra. In addition, the seismic station at the base of the volcano registered an increase in activity (harmonic tremor and A- and B-type events) between September and November, suggesting that the eruption occurred during that time.

"A fan-shaped area of about 0.25 km3 was affected. The ejecta reached a maximum distance of 500 m SE of the active crater. The erupted material is secondary, including ash, sand, and blocks as much as 20 cm across. On one rock, an ash deposit 6 cm thick was observed. The effect of the eruption on rain forest vegetation was marked about 500 m SE of the crater (in the E bank of the Quebrada Azufrosa) where trees had been knocked down in a radial pattern by the activity. This pattern is unusual in that the fallen trees appeared to radiate from a point near their center, not from the crater. In addition, various plant species in this area were affected by the acid in the pyroclastics and the associated water.

"On 19 April there was a strong and constant emission of gas that affected breathing because of its acidity, and made it difficult to observe the lake in the active crater."

Information Contacts: J. Barquero and E. Fernández Soto, OVSICORI.


February 1987 (SEAN 12:02) Citation IconCite this Report

Small explosion

"Alfonso Bustos of Upala, a town about 35 km NE of the volcano, reported that he observed an eruption of Rincón de la Vieja during the night of 31 December 1986. The seismological station of the Observatory, located on the volcano, registered an eruptive event at 2307:13 with a duration of 6 minutes 13 seconds. The period of highest amplitude was constant at one second.

"Because of weather problems in the region, we could not climb to the summit until 7 February 1987, when we verified that a small eruption had recently occurred. The affected area was the S and SE parts of the active crater, where eruptive materials were encountered to 500 m distance. At the crater rim, 10 cm of ash was measured and there were blocks 50 cm long by 40 cm wide. No evidence of juvenile material was encountered. Some plants had burns on their leaves, possibly caused by the acidity of ash deposited on them and the acidity of water that accompanied the ejecta; the eruptions occurred in a crater with a lake. The activity during the day of the ascent was constant emission of gas with a strong sulfurous odor that irritated the eyes and annoyed everyone that we encountered near the crater."

Information Contacts: J. Barquero and E. Fernández Soto, OVSICORI.


April 1987 (SEAN 12:04) Citation IconCite this Report

Phreatic eruption; lahars

"On 1 April, an eruption of Rincón de la Vieja was heard and seen by residents of the town of Buenos Aires de Upala, 7 km NE of the crater. This phreatic eruption originated from the active crater.

"Various rivers have headwaters on the N flank and flow NE (among them the Río Azul, Quebrada Azufrada, and Río Pénjamo) and lahars formed in some of them. At about 500 m above sea level, the Río Pénjamo and the Quebrada Azufrada left their channels, flooding agricultural land. No lahar formed in the Río Azul, although on 9 April it still had a gray color because of the quantity of suspended ash that it was carrying.

"According to a resident of the area, the eruption occurred at 0940. Twenty minutes later the lahar passed near the town of Buenos Aires. The seismic station of the Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico registered an event at 0932.55 with a duration of 3 minutes."

Information Contacts: J. Barquero, OVSICORI.


April 1989 (SEAN 14:04) Citation IconCite this Report

Crater lake sampled

Geologists sampled the crater lake on 6 April. The lake temperature was 45°C, determined by throwing a bottle 100 m into the lake, measuring the resulting sample with a thermocouple, and applying a cooling correction.

Information Contacts: David Stevenson, Open Univ.


September 1990 (BGVN 15:09) Citation IconCite this Report

Continued fumarolic activity; drop in crater lake water level

Evaporation of the crater lake was noted during fieldwork at the volcano the third week in July. Strong fumarolic activity continued within the lake, and a sulfur odor was detected near the summit, roughly 100 m above the lake.

Information Contacts: J. Barquero, E. Fernández, and V. Barboza, OVSICORI.


April 1991 (BGVN 16:04) Citation IconCite this Report

Ash ejection and lahars

A [phreatomagmatic] eruption at 1015-1025 on 8 May ejected small quantities of [ash, bombs, blocks, and mud, and produced small lahars]. Gray lahars with a sulfur odor traveled N down the Río Pénjamo and Azul systems, destroying the forest along the rivers and two small bridges, and cutting off access to the towns of Buenos Aires (12 km NE) and Gavilán. At the distal end of the lahars, 15 km from the summit, the deposits reached 2 m in thickness, and covered the surface for several hundred meters on both sides of the Pénjamo river channels. Following passage of the lahars, the rivers were milky and had high acidity. The eruption followed two smaller explosive events on 6 and 7 May, but no other seismic precursors were recorded.

Information Contacts: R. Barquero, ICE; J. Barquero and R. Sáenz, OVSICORI.


May 1991 (BGVN 16:05) Citation IconCite this Report

More details on 8 May eruption and deposits

The following, from the Univ Nacional, supplements last month's report from ICE.

A phreatic eruption on 8 May ejected lake sediments and ash, and produced small mudflows. The eruption followed several low-frequency earthquakes during the night of 6-7 May, and a low-frequency earthquake with a 155-second duration at 0811 on 7 May. Reports from residents of Dos Ríos de Upala (8 km NW) and from guards at Parque Nacional Rincón de la Vieja described an accompanying explosion and a 1-km-high light-colored plume with ash that traveled NW.

Seven low-frequency microearthquakes preceded the 8 May phreatic eruption. An earthquake that lasted 120 seconds, possibly associated with a small explosion, occurred 18 minutes prior to the eruption, and low-frequency tremor began 7 minutes before it.

The sound wave of the main explosion arrived at the seismometer (6 km SW) 6 seconds after the start of the eruption signal at 1017, and the instrument was saturated for 25 seconds. The subsequent 150-second signal was interpreted to record strong degassing and the initiation of mudflows. Low-frequency harmonic tremor was recorded for 30 minutes, gradually decreasing below detection limits. The main explosion produced a gray ash cloud, 5 km high, that was carried NW. Ash was deposited to 14 km NW from this (figure 1) and the approximately 10 small (columns

Figure (see Caption) Figure 1. Map showing deposits from the 8 May 1991 phreatic eruption at Rincón de la Vieja. Site numbers correspond to cross-sections in figures 2 and 3, and table 1. Courtesy of OVSICORI.

Table 1. Field observations of 8 May 1991 mudflow deposits from Rincón de la Vieja. Sites correspond to locations in figure 1. Courtesy of OVSICORI.

Site Distance Deposit width Channel width Max. flow height Deposit description
1 7.2 km 41 m 10 m 4-6 m 1.65 m of erosion.
2 6.6 km 185 m 12 m 2-3 m ~8 m deposited.
3 7.0 km 239 m -- 4-5 m 2-60 cm of fine (2-16 mm) material.
4 16.6 km -- -- 2.15 m Blocks (to 1.5 x 2.0 m) and tree trunks (50 cm diameter); 10-50-cm mantle of fine sediment.

Mudflows traveled down the N flank (along the Quebrada Azufrosa, and Río Pénjamo), destroying two small bridges and cutting off access to the towns of Buenos Aires (~12 km NE) and Gavilán. Several smaller mudflows traveled down tributaries to the Río Azul (also to the N). Erosion occurred predominantly between 1,500 and 500 m elevation. Field observations of the mudflow deposits were made at several sites (figures 2 and 3; table 1). Park guards reported small quantities of sediment transported by the Río Colorado (S flank), but no effects on the ecosystem were observed.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 2. Cross-section of 8 May 1991 Rincón de la Vieja mudflow deposits near a bridge over the Río Azul. Site location is marked in figure 1. Courtesy of OVSICORI.
Figure (see Caption) Figure 3. Cross-section of 8 May 1991 Rincón de la Vieja mudflow deposits near a bridge over the Río Pénjamo. Site location is marked in figure 1. Courtesy of OVSICORI.

Blocks (to 40 x 50 cm) with impact craters and ejected lake sediments were found near the summit during a 9 May visit. Acidity and sediment-fall had variable impacts on nearby vegetation, ranging to complete defoliation. Fumarolic activity continued, as evidenced by a strong sulfur odor, eye irritation, and breathing difficulties near the crater. Rain collected 3 km S had a pH of 3.85.

Seismicity declined to 9 low-frequency recorded earthquakes/day (9 May), with only sporadic (1-2/day) events on later days.

Information Contacts: E. Fernández S., Jorge Brenes M., V. Barboza M., and Tomás Marino H., Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica, Univ Nacional.


July 1991 (BGVN 16:07) Citation IconCite this Report

Seismicity and tremor

A total of 399 microearthquakes were recorded in July (figure 4) at a seismic station (RIN3) 6 km SW of the crater. Six hours of low- and medium-frequency tremor (1.3-3.2 Hz), were recorded in episodes 12 minutes to 3 hours long. Low-frequency earthquakes were also recorded, with durations that reached 175 seconds.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 4. Daily number of earthquakes at Rincón de la Vieja, July 1991. Courtesy of OVSICORI.

Information Contacts: J. Barquero, E. Fernández, V. Barboza, and J. Brenes, OVSICORI.


August 1991 (BGVN 16:08) Citation IconCite this Report

Explosions eject ash and blocks

After reports of strong sulfur odors, geologists visited the summit area on 28-30 August. A sulfurous odor was noted at Copelares on the S flank (1,400 m elevation), during the evening of 28 August. An explosion was heard at 0151 the next morning, followed several seconds later by the sound of falling material. Examination of 29 August records from a seismic station 6 km SW of the crater (RIN3) showed that a small earthquake occurred at 0148:47, then a larger earthquake sequence lasting 7.5 minutes began at 0151:40, coinciding with the first audible explosion. As the ascent continued later that morning, traces of fresh ash were observed beginning at about 1,500 m elevation. Large quantities of ash and blocks, ranging from 15 to 75 cm in diameter, were found deposited in the summit area. Impact craters reached 120 cm in diameter and 35 cm deep.

Bad weather obscured the view of the crater floor, but several explosions were heard, and the largest, at 0930, rained very wet ash on the scientists. Near the crater, the smell of sulfur was very strong, making breathing difficult and stinging the eyes. Nearby vegetation was partially or completely dead. Rain collected at Copelares had a pH of 4.1.

On 30 August, scientists visited Ríos Azul and Pénjamo, which flow down the N flank from the crater area. Both rivers were gray-white with suspended sediment, which was also visible, but in lower concentrations, in the Ríos Colorado and Blanco on the S and SE flanks.

[On 6 September, strong fumarolic activity (jet engine noise) was seen in the active crater. During explosive events of May-August 1991 the ejecta was mainly composed of gray mud (sulfide-rich), lithics, and bread-crust bombs (~10% by volume).]

Information Contacts: J. Barquero and E. Fernández, OVSICORI; R. Barquero and G. Soto, ICE; Mario Fernández, Héctor Flores, and Sergio Paniagua, Univ. de Costa Rica.


February 1992 (BGVN 17:02) Citation IconCite this Report

Gas emission and sporadic phreatic eruptions

Gas emission has continued over the last several months, punctuated by sporadic phreatic eruptions. Fumarolic activity was concentrated on the active crater's E wall, producing a plume that occasionally reached 500 m height, smelling of sulfur, and irritating eyes and skin. The crater lake was gray, with yellow areas over bubbling points. Concentric and radial fissures, to 1 m wide and to >4 m deep, were found on the upper E, N, and NW flanks. The fissures were probably formed by partial collapse of the crater walls, especially on the E and NW flanks. Seven low-frequency earthquakes were recorded during February, down from a peak of 30 recorded 8 May 1991, associated with a large phreatic eruption. Abnormal seismicity was reported for several months after 8 May.

Information Contacts: E. Fernández, J. Barquero, V. Barboza, and R. Van der Laat, OVSICORI.


March 1992 (BGVN 17:03) Citation IconCite this Report

Small explosions and rumbling; earthquakes

Rumbling and small explosions were reported on several occasions in March. Portable seismometers at Proyecto Geotérmico Miravalles (35 km SE of the active crater) recorded small earthquakes, possibly associated with explosions, on 13-16, 20, and 26 March. A maximum of five events was recorded, on 16 March.

Information Contacts: G. Soto and R. Barquero, ICE; Guillermo Alvarado, GEOMAR, Christian-Albrechts-Universität, Germany; Mario Fernández, Univ. de Costa Rica.


May 1992 (BGVN 17:05) Citation IconCite this Report

Thermal activity from crater lake; occasional seismicity

The active crater lake (150-200 m diameter) was gray to dirty white during May fieldwork, with weak, intermittent bubbling. Fumarolic activity in the E part of the crater, where water was slightly greenish, was stronger than during February fieldwork. The activity, audible at the crater rim, produced a plume that rose more than 100 m (the height of the crater wall), and was visible several kilometers N. Crater-lake level had dropped about 30 cm since February, while the temperature remained at 37°C and the pH at 1.6. Small mats of sulfur were visible on the lake surface. Weak vapor emission began at several points along a fissure (first observed in February) near the SE and SW rim, with temperatures of 55°C and 60°C, respectively.

Six microearthquakes were recorded in May (at OVSICORI station RIN3, 5 km S). A 16-minute tremor episode (1-2.5 Hz) was recorded on 22 May.

Information Contacts: G. Soto, R. Barquero, and Guillermo E. Alvardo, ICE; Mario Fernández, Univ. de Costa Rica; E. Fernández, J. Barquero, and V. Barboza, OVSICORI.


June 1992 (BGVN 17:06) Citation IconCite this Report

Continued fumarolic activity

Fumarolic activity continued through June in the active crater, where it had fed a plume more than 100 m high during May fieldwork. Chemical analyses of water collected 13 May showed pH values of less than 3 in two of the three N-flank rivers sampled, and some enhancement in sulfate and chloride concentrations (table 2). A seismographic station 5 km SW of the crater (RIN3) registered seven low-frequency earthquakes in June.

Table 2. Chemistry of water collected 13 May 1992 from three rivers on the N flank of Rincón de la Vieja. Data courtesy of the Univ. de Costa Rica.

River pH Cl- (ppm) SO4-2 (ppm)
Pénjamo 2.9 1.5 392
Blanco 5.8 2.1 122
Azul 2.4 10.0 384

Information Contacts: E. Fernández, J. Barquero, and V. Barboza, OVSICORI; G. Soto, ICE; Mario Fernández, Univ. de Costa Rica.


August 1992 (BGVN 17:08) Citation IconCite this Report

Strong degassing; explosion seismicity

Strong degassing occurred in the active crater. Some seismic signals with durations of up to 3 minutes were recorded during August, interpreted by ICE geologists as probably associated with small or moderate eruptions from the hot crater lake. However, no deposits of mud were found on the crater rim during fieldwork on 28 August, so any deposition must have been confined to the interior of the crater. Parts of the rim rise >150 m above the lake. A UNA seismic station (RIN3) 5 km SW of the main crater recorded 11 low-frequency events in August, with brief (1-6 minute) periods of tremor at frequencies of <2.5 Hz.

Information Contacts: G. Soto and R. Barquero, ICE; E. Fernández, J. Barquero, and V. Barboza, OVSICORI.


September 1992 (BGVN 17:09) Citation IconCite this Report

Strong fumarolic activity; seismic swarm

Intense fumarolic activity continued from the SE inner wall of the active crater (figure 5). The emissions were rich in water vapor and sulfurous gases, emerging with a jet-engine sound and rising 350 m above the level of the crater lake in the absence of wind. Sulfur cones formed at the vents. Four main hot areas were evident in the crater lake (near the center, and on the NW, N, and NE sides), which was about 250 m in diameter. The lake was colored gray by the large amount of muddy sediment that it carried in suspension. Strands of mud and sulfur floated on the lake surface. Its temperature was measured by the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) at 52°C on 25 September. Of the 403 events of medium to high frequency recorded in September, 388 occurred between 1 and 10 September, the period in which the medium-frequency seismicity (>2.5 Hz) was recorded (figure 6). Sporadic low-frequency harmonic tremor was detected for periods of up to 2.5 minutes.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 5. Topographic map of the Rincón de la Vieja complex, showing the site of the currently active crater. A national park building near the Las Pailas thermal area on the lower S flank is marked P.N. Contour interval, 200 m below 1,400 m elevation, 100 m at higher altitudes. Courtesy of ICE.
Figure (see Caption) Figure 6. Number of seismic events per day at Rincón de la Vieja, recorded by a UNA seismic station (RIN3), 5 km SW of the main crater. Courtesy of UNA.

Information Contacts: E. Fernández, J. Barquero, and V. Barboza, OVSICORI; G. Soto and R. Barquero, ICE.


October 1992 (BGVN 17:10) Citation IconCite this Report

Degassing and minor seismicity

Degassing continued from the active crater. Seismic stations at the Proyecto Geotérmico de Miravalles (8-10 km from the active crater) continued to register 2-3 low-frequency volcanic events/day of <100 seconds duration. Vigorous seismicity had continued into early September, after seismic signals interpreted as probably associated with small to moderate eruptions from the lake were recorded in August.

Information Contacts: G. Soto and R. Barquero, ICE; E. Fernández, J. Barquero, and V. Barboza, OVSICORI.


January 1993 (BGVN 18:01) Citation IconCite this Report

Fumaroles; minor seismicity

Fumarolic activity continued in the E wall of the active crater. A seismic station (RIN3) 5 km SW of the crater registered 30 high-frequency shocks on 26 January. The same day at 1646, a M 3.0 earthquake occurred 4 km NNE of the main crater at 9 km depth. No significant tilt changes were observed during the most recent measurements in November 1992.

Information Contacts: E. Fernández, J. Barquero, R. Van der Laat, F. de Obadía, T. Marino, and R. Sáenz, OVSICORI; M. Martini, Univ di Firenze, Italy.


February 1993 (BGVN 18:02) Citation IconCite this Report

Gas plumes rise to 500 m; lake level drops

Fumarolic activity continued from the E wall of the active crater, with gas plumes rising 500 m. A strong smell of sulfur near the crater caused eye and skin irritation. Gas vents in the SE and SW parts of the crater had disappeared. Small collapses had occurred along the E and NE crater walls.

The level of the crater lake has dropped 1 m since last year. The light-gray colored lake had a temperature of 35°C in February and a pH of 1.6. The number of floating sulfur patches has decreased, and only one small bubbling area remains, producing very small intermittent bubbles.

Information Contacts: E. Fernández and J. Barquero, OVSICORI.


March 1993 (BGVN 18:03) Citation IconCite this Report

Hour-long earthquake swarm

The seismic station 5 km SW of the main crater recorded an hour-long swarm of 10 volcano-tectonic earthquakes (M <1.9) on 26 March. Fumarolic activity continued inside the crater and in the crater lake.

Information Contacts: G. Soto and R. Barquero, ICE; E. Fernández, J. Barquero, V. Barboza, T. Marino, R. Van Der Laat, F. de Obaldía, and R. Sáenz, OVSICORI.


April 1993 (BGVN 18:04) Citation IconCite this Report

Seismic activity continues

A seismograph about 5 km SW of the active crater recorded 28 microearthquakes and four high-frequency earthquakes in April (figure 7).

Figure (see Caption) Figure 7. Seismic events/day recorded 5 km SW of the active crater of Rincón de la Vieja. Courtesy of OVSICORA.

Information Contacts: E. Fernández, J. Barquero, V. Barboza, and W. Jimenez, OVSICORI.


May 1993 (BGVN 18:05) Citation IconCite this Report

Seismicity continues

A total of 40 seismic events was recorded in May at a station 5 km SW of the main crater: 35 middle- and low-frequency events, and five high-frequency shocks (1.2-3 Hz). Volcanic tremor peaked on 20 May when 1.5 hours were recorded. Tremor was also detected 23, 25, 27, and 30 May for 11, 8, 3, and 8 minutes, respectively.

Information Contacts: E. Fernández, J. Barquero, F. De Obaldía, T. Marino, R. Van Der Laat, V. Barboza, and R. Sáenz, OVSICORI.


September 1993 (BGVN 18:09) Citation IconCite this Report

Crater lake level drops 10 m

A visit to the active crater on 6 October took place in bad weather, but scientists found strong fumarolic activity and a >10 m drop in lake level compared to September 1992. The lake level began changing after the 8 May 1991 phreatic eruption.

Low-frequency microseismic activity increased over the last 3 months, with three events in July, five events in August, and 93 events in September. Tremor was not reported in July, 165 minutes of tremor occurred in August, and no tremor was detected in September. Dry-tilt for the interval from November 1992 to July 1993 indicated an 11 µrad radial deflation; in contrast, the majority of intervals as far back as 1987 showed little or no change.

Information Contacts: E. Fernández, J. Barquero, R. Van der Laat, F. de Obaldia, T. Marino, V. Barboza, and R. Sáenz, OVSICORI; G. Soto, Guillermo E. Alvarado, and Francisco Arias, ICE; Héctor Flores, Univ. de Costa Rica.


January 1994 (BGVN 19:01) Citation IconCite this Report

New seismic data, but still relatively quiet

During 1993 Rincón de la Vieja continued fumarolic venting in Rincón crater. Gas columns rose to 500 m high and contained sufficient gas concentrations to irritate the eyes and sting the skin of observers on the crater margin. The crater lake was clear gray in color, with clouds of suspended sulfur and several areas of discontinuous bubbling. It had a temperature of 35°C.

When seismically active, as in January and September 1993 (figure 8), both high- and low-frequency signals were common. A swarm of 25 high-frequency events took place on 26-29 January. On 26 March, 10 small-amplitude high-frequency events registered, their S - P (S minus P) times were

Figure (see Caption) Figure 8. Seismic events at Rincón de la Vieja received at station RIN3, 5 km SW of the active crater, January 1993-January 1994 (October-December 1993 data presumed unrecorded). Courtesy of OVSICORI.

Information Contacts: E. Fernández, J. Barquero, R. Van der Laat, F. de Obaldia, T. Marino, V. Barboza, and R. Sáenz, OVSICORI.


March 1994 (BGVN 19:03) Citation IconCite this Report

Subaqueous degassing; fractures surrounding SE crater rim

During March, Rincón de la Vieja continued fumarolic and seismic activity. The crater lake, which was 40 cm below the level seen in June 1993, had a temperature of 36°C. The lake had a clear gray color, although a fog of condensed gases hovering over the lake hampered visual observations. Visitors noted that vigorous, noisy fumaroles in the E crater wall produced enough sulfurous fumes to provoke coughing and irritate the eyes and skin. Fumes have also injured the already sparse vegetation adjacent to the active crater.

ICE researchers reported "sporadic and intermittent bubbling events (up to several meters in height and diameter) rising up from the center and SE portions of the warm lake, producing strong waves and noise, and giving a muddy-gray color to the lake." They also saw new, open fractures surrounding the SE crater rim.

In the interval February-March 1993, Rincón's seismic station registered an increase in events of low frequency (0.5-1.3 Hz) with durations [of] 25-150 seconds (figure 9). When previously seismically active, as in January and September 1993, both high- and low-frequency signals were common.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 9. Seismic events at Rincón de la Vieja received at station RIN3, 5 km SW of the active crater, January-March 1994. Courtesy of OVSICORI.

Information Contacts: Gerardo J. Soto, Guillermo E. Alvarado, and Francisco (Chico) Arias, ICE; E. Fernández, J. Barquero, R. Van der Laat, F. de Obaldia, T. Marino, V. Barboza, and R. Sáenz, OVSICORI.


April 1994 (BGVN 19:04) Citation IconCite this Report

Decreased seismicity

During April, the local seismic station received only 13 low-frequency events. In contrast, there were 283 low-frequency events during the previous month, the most so far this year. Neither the increase nor the decrease in seismicity were associated with any other observed changes.

Information Contacts: E. Fernández, J. Barquero, V. Barboza, and W. Jiménez, OVSICORI; G. Soto, Guillermo E. Alvarado, and Francisco (Chico) Arias, ICE; Héctor (Chopo) Flores, Univ. de Costa Rica.


September 1994 (BGVN 19:09) Citation IconCite this Report

Vigorous fumarolic activity

Fumarolic activity in the main crater remained vigorous during August and September. Preliminary processing of seismicity recorded by ICE with a portable digital station 2.2 km S of the crater during fieldwork in late August indicated several hundred low-frequency earthquakes beneath the crater, and background tremor-like activity. The preliminary interpretation is that the low-frequency seismicity is caused by hydrothermal circulation among a shallow magma body, aquifers, and the lake system. The OVSICORI-UNA seimic station (5 km SW of the active crater) registered 15 high-frequency low-magnitude events during September.

From the village of México (40 km NE), early morning observations during late September and early October by an ICE geologist revealed a steam-rich gas column rising up to 1 km above the crater. This is higher than the 300-400 m estimated in March.

Information Contacts: E. Fernandez, J. Barquero, V. Barboza, R. Van der Laat, T. Marino, F. de Obaldia, and L. Carvajal, OVSICORI; G. Soto, W. Taylor, F. Arias, G. Alvarado, and R. Barquero, ICE; Mauricio Mora, Univ. de Costa Rica.


October 1994 (BGVN 19:10) Citation IconCite this Report

Thirty-one small high-frequency events

Seismic station RIN (5 km W of the active crater) received 31 events of high-frequency. The events were only detected locally, they had Richter magnitudes of less than 1, and S minus P times of less than 2 seconds. For comparison, during April, the local seismic station received only 13 low-frequency events. In contrast, there were 283 low-frequency events during the previous month, the most reported so far this year.

Information Contacts: E. Fernández, J. Barquero, and V. Barboza, OVSICORI.


November 1994 (BGVN 19:11) Citation IconCite this Report

Vigorous fumarolic activity continues

The fumarolic activity in the main crater that remained vigorous during August and September, continued in November. A seismic record made by ICE in November suggested seismo-volcanic activity of low frequency and magnitude located at very shallow depths beneath the crater.

Information Contacts: E. Fernández, J. Barquero, R. Van der Laat, F. de Obaldia, T. Marino, V. Barboza, and R. Sáenz, OVSICORI; G. Soto, Guillerma E. Alvarado, and Francisco (Chico) Arias, ICE.


December 1994 (BGVN 19:12) Citation IconCite this Report

Minor seismicity

During December 1994, Rincón de la Vieja was seismically active. The local station (5 km SW of the active crater) registered three small-amplitude events on 19 December and, at 2121, a fourth of Richter magnitude 3.0. The last event had a focal depth of 23 km and an epicenter 4.5 km NE of the active crater. One event took place each day on 23, 24, and 25 December; these events each had an S -P delay in the range of 1.9 to 2.5 seconds.

Information Contacts: OVSICORI.


January 1995 (BGVN 20:01) Citation IconCite this Report

Ongoing low-frequency seismic signals and fumarolic venting

During January Rincón de la Vieja continued fumarolic venting from the main crater. ICE reported that they continued to record seismic signals of low-frequency and magnitude at the volcano. They interpreted the signals as seismo-volcanic activity at shallow depth beneath the main crater.

Information Contacts: ICE.


April 1995 (BGVN 20:04) Citation IconCite this Report

Description of the crater lake and fumaroles

The remote Rincón de la Vieja volcanic complex continues to display unsettled seismic and fumarolic activity. OVSICORI-UNA reported that during April fumarolic venting continued from the W wall, creating noise audible from the crater's rim. Escaping gases stung the skin. Radial fractures encircled the crater on its NE, N, and NW sides.

G. Soto (ICE), Jean-Philippe Rancon, and Gorges Boudon climbed the volcano on 1 May and reported that the lake contained a scum of floating sulfur and was pale turquoise in color. No lake temperature measurements were made but the entire surface steamed slightly. In contrast to a previous visit in March 1994, the lake level seemed significantly higher, although the amount has yet to be quantified from photographic records; zones of bubbling (previously several meters across) were absent.

Fumaroles on the crater's inner SE wall were quite active and fumed noiselessly. Gas plumes, clearly visible from the volcano's N flank, rose up to 100 m above the crater before being blown by the wind. Small, steam-rich fumaroles adjacent to concentric fractures surrounded the crater, typically near the 1,640 m contour. These fumaroles were also active last year.

At least two other noteworthy fumaroles, expelling steam and sulfurous gases, sit on the N flank (along the valley called Quebrada Azumicrorada at around 1,200- and 1,300-m elevation). In clear weather, these fumaroles are visible from local villages and residents stated that they had been active for the past several years.

Information Contacts: Erick Fernandez, Vilma Barboza, and Jorge Barquero, Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica, Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA), Apartado 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica; Gerardo J. Soto, Oficina de Sismologia y Vulcanologia del Arenal y Miravalles: OSIVAM; Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE), Apartado 10032-1000, San José, Costa Rica; Jean-Philippe Rancon, BRGM, Orleans, France (presently at USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory, 5400 MacArthur Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98661-7095 USA); Georges Boudon, Observatoires Volcanologiques, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, 4 Place Jussieu, 75252 Paris 05, France.


September 1995 (BGVN 20:09) Citation IconCite this Report

Seismic activity continues at a rate of tens of events per month

The seismic receiver at the remote Rincón de la Vieja volcanic complex (RIN3) is located 5 km SW of the active crater. During August it registered 42 events at frequencies below 1.5 Hz; during September, 28 events with frequencies below 2.5 Hz.

Information Contacts: E. Fernandez, E. Duarte, R. Sáenz, W. Jimenez, and V. Barboza, Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica, Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA), Apartado 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica.


October 1995 (BGVN 20:10) Citation IconCite this Report

New eruption; lahars damage a bridge and lead to evacuations

A new phreatomagmatic eruption followed three months of declining seismicity. During 1995 the number of local earthquakes peaked in July and then progressively decreased (figure 10). Prior to the eruption, during October, OVSICORI-UNA reported that park rangers who ascended to the main summit saw increased degassing and noted the appearance of fumaroles along cracks at the E and NE crater margins. Rangers described the crater lake's color as green and the smell as strong and sulfurous.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 10. The number of monthly earthquakes at Rincón de la Vieja volcanic complex recorded 5 km SW of the active crater (station RIN3), January-October 1995. The seismic system failed to operate on 29 October; the three events recorded during the rest of the month were all of low frequency (

ICE described the eruption as phreatomagmatic, beginning at 1504 on 6 November, and climaxing on 8 November with 25 explosions. They noted the ash-bearing and steam-rich columns rose to 1 and 4 km, respectively, above the crater. Ash blew WSW; medium- to fine-grained ash reached up to 30 km from the volcano (Santa Rosa National Park).

According to ICE, on 9 November the eruption entered a steam-rich phase. Columns typically rose 200 m, but sometimes as much as 1.5 km after some steam explosions.

During the course of the eruption, ballistic ejecta were thrown over a zone extending to ~1 km N. Ejecta formed lahars that followed two key rivers (Penjamo and Azul rivers) and their tributaries. Heavy rains beginning on 10 and continuing on 11 November triggered secondary lahars and associated floods; a bridge 7 km N of the crater (Penjamo bridge) was damaged but not destroyed, interrupting traffic flow. During this episode, lahars along a tributary of the Penjamo river produced a gully 8-m deep and 25-m wide, isolating some inhabitants.

Initial inspections of ash and the lahar matrix indicated that they mainly consisted of hydrothermally altered fragments, lake-sediment mud, and vesiculated glassy andesite fragments.

Some residents living near the volcano were evacuated to a safe village 9 km NW of the crater. News reports on 8 November by both Associated Press and Deutsche Presse-Agentur stated that about 100 families were evacuated. Two days later Enrique Coen reported relocation of 300 families.

Information Contacts: E. Fernandez, E. Duarte, and V. Barboza, Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica, Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA), Apartado 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica; G.J. Soto, Oficina de Sismologia y Vulcanologia del Arenal y Miravalles: OSIVAM, Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE), Apartado 10032-1000, San José, Costa Rica; Enrique Coen, Departamento de Fisica, University Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica; Associated Press; Deutsche Presse-Agentur.


December 1995 (BGVN 20:11) Citation IconCite this Report

Additional details about the 6-10 November eruption

An eruption on 6 November 1995 followed increases in fumarolic activity and a several-month long increase in local earthquakes and tremor (figures 11 and 12). Park rangers who visited the summit at the start of October noted increased fumarolic activity and witnessed landslides down the main crater's walls. Strong sulfur smells were noted W-SW of the volcano on multiple occasions in the days prior to 6 November (figure 13).

Figure (see Caption) Figure 11. Rincón de la Vieja's monthly totals for tremor and low-frequency seismicity, January-September 1995. Courtesy of OVSICORI-UNA.
Figure (see Caption) Figure 12. Rincón de la Vieja's seismicity, 1-13 November 1995. An eruption began on 6 November. Courtesy of OVSICORI-UNA.
Figure (see Caption) Figure 13. Map of NW Costa Rica showing key features associated with Rincón de la Vieja's 6 November 1995 eruption. Courtesy of OVSICORI-UNA.

The seismic receiver (RIN3) sits 5 km SW of the active crater. Although the OVSCICORI-UNA seismic system failed on 29 October (and possibly other times during the month), it functioned reliably again after the 31st. Low-frequency events gradually increased during 1-6 November (figure 12), followed by a modest decline. High-frequency events were only registered after 3 November. Tremor was absent prior to the 6 November eruption.

OVSCICORI reported that the first phase of the eruption consisted of vapor with subordinate ash in a discharge lasting 2 minutes. Later, vigorous fumarolic activity led to many hours of constant tremor. Only two more clear eruptions followed in the initial 17 hours of venting, but others followed in subsequent days. The eruption climaxed on the morning of the 8th, when columns reached 3.5 km altitude. Fine ash blew W and NW; larger blocks and tephra were confined to within ~1 km and the area of heavy ashfall reached ~5 km away (figure 13).

During some phases of the eruption, lahars flowed down the Azul and Penjamo rivers and an interfluvial ravine called the Quebrada Azumicrorada (figure 13). Upper reaches of these drainages sustained up to 6 m of erosion. Lahars on the 7th were cooler and more water-rich than those on the 8th. In addition to previously reported damage, on 8 November lahars shut down some communications systems.

At 0900 and 1130 on 8 November OVSICORI scientists visited the summit area and saw impact craters as large as 2 m in diameter; the craters were produced by 0.5-1.0 m diameter blocks, some of which were still warm to the touch. The scientists also saw ongoing phreatic eruptions escaping from a vent adjacent to the crater lake.

At 0411 on the 9th a shock wave was felt 25 km SE in the city of Liberia; the related outburst was seen from the N flank, where residents witnessed incandescent block ejections.

Amplitudes on the seismic recorders regularly peaked at over 30 mm on 6-9 November. The highest amplitudes, on 7-9 November, reached nearly 60 mm. Amplitudes decreased the morning of 9 November; following the eruption (10-14 November) amplitudes generally remained under 10 mm with infrequent spikes to ~20 mm and a few rare spikes to 30 mm. Tremor decreased by an order of magnitude on 10 November and it dropped to <1 hour/day on 13 November.

During fieldwork in early December, G. Soto (ICE) and G. Boudon (IPG) inspected the near-source region. For a radial distance of ~1 km from the crater they saw a deposit consisting of muddy ash, lapilli, and blocks. These reached 40 cm thick on the crater's southern outer rim at a point 150 m from the inner rim. The deposit's thickness and grain size decreased rapidly with distance, such that at 600 m SW of the crater the deposit was only 7 cm thick. The deposit's basal zone was enriched in fine grained, muddy-looking material, but throughout the deposit there occurred lustrous black juvenile clasts. Over ~1 km2 of the upper surface of the deposit, there lay a blanket consisting of (a) dense, quenched blocks, (b) breadcrust bombs with notably vesicular cores, and (c) some highly vesiculated fragments. On 8 December at points 5 and 8 km from the summit, the Penjama and Blanco rivers, respectively, still ran milky and were slightly acidic in taste. That same day, the scientists saw only fumarolic activity. Although scientists looked for a lake in the depths of the crater, they failed to gain a clear view there.

Reference. Boudon, G., Rancon J.-P., Kieffer, G., Soto, G.J., Traineau, H., and Rossignol, J.-C., 1995, Estilio eruptivo actual del Volcan Rincón de la Vieja: evidencias de las productos de las erupciones de 1966-70 y 1991-92: Rothschildia, 2 (2): 10-13, Area de conservacion de Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

Information Contacts: E. Fernandez, E. Duarte, R. Sáenz, W. Jimenez, and V. Barboza, Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica, Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA), Apartado 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica; Georges Boudon, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, 4, Place Jussieu, 75252, Paris Cedex 05, France.


January 1996 (BGVN 21:01) Citation IconCite this Report

Eruption on 11-13 November followed by decreasing seismicity

The eruption that began on [6] November had ended by 13 November (BGVN 20:11/12), yet somewhat elevated seismicity (4 events/day) prevailed through late November. Although the seismic system (RIN3, 5 km SW of the active crater) later failed (all or partly inoperative, 3 December-3 January), it received low-frequency events during most of 1-10 December at the rate of 1-3 events/day, and on 6 December it recorded eight events. During January, RIN3 registered near background levels of seismicity: 8 events/month, consisting of two at low frequencies and six at high frequencies.

Information Contacts: Rodolfo Van der Laat, Vilma Barboza, Erick Fernández, Jorge Barquero, Franklin de Obaldia, Tomás Marino, and Rodrigo Sáenz, Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica, Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA), Apartado 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica.


March 1996 (BGVN 21:03) Citation IconCite this Report

Mild seismicity continues in February

Several small-to-moderate eruptions took place in early November 1995 (BGVN 20:10 and 20:11/12). Mild seismicity continued after the eruption; during February seismic station RIN3, located 5 km SW of the active crater, registered seven microseisms (six low-frequency, one high-frequency). These microseisms were only detected locally.

Information Contacts: Erick Fernández, Elicer Duarte, Vilma Barboza, Rodolfo Van der Laat, and Enrique Hernandez, Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica, Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA), Apartado 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica; Gerardo J. Soto, Oficina de Sismolog¡a y Vulcanolog¡a, Departamento de Geolog¡a, Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE), Apartado 10032-1000, San José, Costa Rica.


May 1996 (BGVN 21:05) Citation IconCite this Report

Seven minor seismic events

During May seismic station RIN3 registered a total of seven events: two of high frequency and five of low frequency.

Information Contacts: Erick Fernández, Elicer Duarte, Vilma Barboza, Rodolfo Van der Laat, and Enrique Hernandez, Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica, Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA), Apartado 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica.


June 1996 (BGVN 21:06) Citation IconCite this Report

Six-fold seismic increase over previous months in 1996

The local seismic station (RIN3, located 5 km SW of the active crater) registered a total of 50 events, a 6-fold increase over any previous month in 1996. These events were only detected at this seismic station.

Information Contacts: Erick Fernández, Elicer Duarte, Vilma Barboza, Rodolfo Van der Laat, and Enrique Hernandez, Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica, Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA), Apartado 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica.


August 1996 (BGVN 21:08) Citation IconCite this Report

Small local earthquakes

Seismic station RIN3, located 5 km SW of the active crater, detected local microseisms. During July there were 27 events; during August, 16 events. For comparison, the near background levels of seismicity during January 1996 consisted of 8 events/month.

Information Contacts: E. Fernández, E. Duarte, V. Barboza, R. Van der Laat, E. Hernandez, M. Martinez, and R. Sáenz, Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica, Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA), Apartado 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica.


January 1997 (BGVN 22:01) Citation IconCite this Report

Sulfur-bearing steam, mass wasting, and acid rain in September

A visit to the crater during September 1996 revealed vegetation killed by the phreatic eruption of November 1995 (BGVN 20:10 and 20:11/12), by mass wasting in its aftermath, and by continued acidic rainfall. Although some plants were beginning to return, most suffered visible damage such as scalded leaves. The crater area continued to smell of sulfur and the loud noise of escaping steam could be heard from the crater's margin.

Information Contacts: E. Fernández, E. Duarte, V. Barboza, R. Van der Laat, E. Hernandez, M. Martinez, and R. Sáenz, Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica, Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA), Apartado 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica.


May 1997 (BGVN 22:05) Citation IconCite this Report

Conspicuous fumaroles and plumes persist

During April, fumarolic activity remained in the E and S parts of the main crater. In the latter location, escaping gases hissed like a pressure cooker and were audible from the crater rim. Gas columns rose up to 200 m high. Adjacent to the crater, visitors smelled sulfur gases and their throats, eyes, and skin became irritated. Some of the plants damaged during November 1995 showed new signs of recovery. Although the seismic station (RIN3, located 5 km SW of the active crater) remained out of service during May, earthquake counts numbered five events in December 1996 and 24 in January 1997.

Information Contacts: E. Fernandez, R. Van der Laat, F. de Obaldia, T. Marino, V. Barboza, W. Jimenez, R. Sáenz, E. Duarte, M. Martinez, E. Hernandez, and F. Vega, Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica, Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA), Apartado 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica.


September 1997 (BGVN 22:09) Citation IconCite this Report

Variable but modest seismicity during June-September 1997

OVSCORI-UNA reported that over the last several months earthquake totals were as follows: June, 2; July, 43 (including 24 microseisms); August, 20; and September, 100 (including 45 microseisms). Gerardo Soto (OSIVAM) spoke with park rangers who said there had been several rockslides along the crater's NE and N inner slopes during the first half of 1997. Some of these slides created small islands in the lake.

Information Contacts: E. Fernandez, R. Van der Laat, F. de Obaldia, T. Marino, V. Barboza, W. Jimenez, R. Sáenz, E. Duarte, M. Martinez, E. Hernandez, and F. Vega, Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica, Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA), Apartado 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica; G.J. Soto, Oficina de Sismologia y Vulcanologia del Arenal y Miravalles (OSIVAM), Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE), Apartado 10032-1000, San José, Costa Rica.


March 1998 (BGVN 23:03) Citation IconCite this Report

Phreatic eruptions on 15-17 February thrust steam to 2 km

Beginning at 1428 on 15 February, Rincón de la Vieja volcano discharged phreatic eruptions from the main crater. Ten eruptions took place in the first 15 hours of activity; only two followed in the subsequent 13 hours. During the course of the outburst subsidiary fumarolic activity also became more vigorous; it remained elevated until 18 February.

During 15-17 February numerous steam plumes rose hundreds of meters above the volcano. On 17 February one outburst sent a steam plume to a height of 2 km above the crater. This plume was seen by residents on the N and NE flanks of the volcano. A dozen eruptions around this time were small and lacked associated mudflows. An exception, at 0514 on 16 February, produced a modest mudflow that traveled about 9 km/hour and left a capping deposit of mud 30-cm thick in the upper reaches of the Pénjamo and Azul rivers. Rivers had been low in the region, attributed to the El Niño phenomena, with the result that the mudflow was relatively dry. The mudflow had a large impact on local fish and other stream organisms. Sediment from the mudflow was found 12.3 km from the main crater.

Inspecting the 16 February deposit near the summit on 1 March, scientists inferred from the scorching, burning, and other damage to vegetation on the NE flanks that there must have been several smaller eruptions around that time as well. Mudflows failed to develop due to the paucity of surface water in local drainages.

The 1 March visit also revealed the lake's temperature, 48°C, its color, light gray, the presence of suspended sulfur in the lake, and a haze of condensed gases above the lake. An outgassing fumarole on the SW wall made loud hissing noises (similar to gases exiting a high pressure valve) audible from the crater's rim. Columns of gas rose about 200 m above the crater before being blown E. Those inspecting the scene noted strong sulfurous odors, and experienced irritated skin and eyes. The material erupted was uniformly fine- to medium-grained, lacking either bombs, blocks, or impact craters. This contrasted with deposits left by previous eruptions in 1991 and 1995.

The local seismic station (RIN3) lies 5 km SW of the active crater. The station registered microearthquakes as follows: during January, 18 (including 3 of high frequency and 9 of low frequency); during February, 48 (including 1 of high frequency, 21 of low frequency); during March, 7. In assessing their records of the 48 February microearthquakes, seismologists recognized 20 eruptions including 11 comparatively high-intensity phreatic eruptions mainly registered on 15-18 February. Banded tremor occurred on 15 and 16 February during the main eruptive interval; the tremor prevailed for a total of ~6.5 hours. Low in frequency, the tremor had amplitudes that ranged between 1.0 and 37 mm. The larger amplitude registered during the eruption's initial phase, at 1428 on 15 February. Tremor amplitudes later declined to the 1-4 mm range. As with the 1991 and 1995 eruptions, seismic precursors were absent.

Information Contacts: E. Fernandez, V. Barboza, R. Van der Laat, R. Sáenz, E. Duarte, E. Malavassi, T. Marino, M. Martinez, and E. Hernandez, Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica, Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA), Apartado 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica; Mauricio Mora Fernandez, Sección de Sismologia, Vulcanologia y Exploración Geofisica, Escuela Centroamericana de Geología, Universidad de Costa Rica, P.O. Box 35-2060, San José, Costa Rica.


June 1998 (BGVN 23:06) Citation IconCite this Report

Non-eruptive and relatively quiet seismically during April-June

The volcano has been relatively quiet since phreatic eruptions on 15-17 February sent plumes to 2 km. During April, May, and June the local seismic system registered 3, 27, and 17 events, respectively. The April seismic events were of unspecified type. The May seismic events included eight of high frequency; in addition, one hour of low-frequency tremor took place. Seismicity during June included some low-frequency events.

Information Contacts: E. Fernandez, V. Barboza, E. Duarte, R. Sáenz, E. Malavassi, M. Martinez, and Rodolfo Van der Laat, Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica, Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA), Apartado 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica.


June 1999 (BGVN 24:06) Citation IconCite this Report

1.5-year record of seismicity and eruptions through May 1999

Seismicity during 17 months through April 1999 (figure 14) showed pronounced peaks at over 100 events/month in one parameter, microseisms, during September- October 1998. Otherwise, relative quiet prevailed; microseisms, high-frequency, and low-frequency events all generally took place fewer than 20 times/month. Tremor was nearly absent during roughly half the months of 1998 and in 1999 during January, February, and April. Months with 2-10 hours of tremor included February, August, September 1998 and March and May 1999.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 14. Selected seismic parameters at Rincón de la Vieja during January 1998-May 1999. The arrows indicate months with detected eruptions (mainly in February 1998, a month with ~10; the other indicated months with fewer than 2). Courtesy of OVSICORI-UNA.

In March, fumarolic activity continued on the NE, S, and SW walls of the main crater. The lake had a gray color and contained suspended particles of sulfur. The temperature of the lake was 35.5°C.

During May, the main crater's N-flank fumarolic activity fluctuated in temperature between 68°C and 92°C. The lake in the crater was light blue with particles of sulfur, and a temperature of 37°C. On the S and N walls, there were columns of gases that irritated eyes and skin.

Information Contacts: E. Fernandez, V. Barboza, E. Duarte, R. Sáenz, E. Malavassi, M. Martinez, and R. Van der Laat, T. Marino, and E. Hernandez, Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica, Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA), Apartado 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica; Wendy Perez Fernandez, Seccion de Seismologia, Vulcanologia y Exploracion Geofisica, Escuela Centroamericana de Geologia, Universidad de Costa Rica, POB 35-2060, San José, Costa Rica.


March 2000 (BGVN 25:03) Citation IconCite this Report

Non-eruptive through November 1999 but with ongoing tremor

The noisy escape of fumarolic gases continued at Rincón de la Vieja during June-November 1999. A summary of monitoring data appears in table 3. During August the crater floor became covered with a shallow ephemeral lake, covering the fumaroles there. Plumes then rose less than 100 m above their fumarolic sources. The active crater lake, with a sky-blue color, had a temperature of 36°C; the maximum measured fumarole temperature was 70°C.

Table 3. Geotechnical data at Rincón de la Vieja, July-November 1999. Seismic data recorded at station RIN3, 5 km SW of the active crater, includes microseisms who's amplitudes were under 5 mm, and those volcano-tectonic (VT) earthquakes with S minus P arrival times under 1.5 seconds (i.e. focused near the volcano). The reported tremor durations were sums of discontinuous segments, and were low-frequency (below 2 Hz). Courtesy of OVSICORI-UNA.

Month Low-frequency earthquake Microseism (amplitude <5 mm) VT earthquake Tremor duration
Jul 1999 9 2 2 hours --
Aug 1999 8 1 14 0.5 hours
Sep 1999 5 21 4 0.75 hours
Oct 1999 4 12 4 6.5 hours
Nov 1999 6 5 0 2 hours

Information Contacts: E. Fernandez, E. Duarte, V. Barboza, R. Sáenz, E. Malavassi, R. Van der Laat, T. Marino, J. Barquero, and E. Hernández, Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica, Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA), Apartado 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica.


November 2001 (BGVN 26:11) Citation IconCite this Report

Fumarolically active through August 2001

During March 2000 through at least August 2001, fumarolic and seismic activity continued at Rincón de la Vieja. Fumarolic gases often irritated the eyes, skin, and throat.

On 1 March 2000 the crater lake was blue, with sulfur particles in suspension, a constant surge, and a temperature of 37°C. Compared to a visit in September 1999, the level of the lake was higher and the bubbling in the SW part had ended. The fumaroles on the NE (91°C) and SW walls were no longer steaming. The fumaroles on the NE flank (89°C) were steaming slightly. The edge of the crater displayed concentric 50-m-long and 40-cm-wide cracks.

During October 2000, the lake was gray with a high water level, sulfur particles floating on the surface, evaporation, and a temperature of 44°C. Fumarolic activity was observed in the SW and N wall of the main crater. The fumarolic area of the N flank (60°C) was steaming slightly, and sublimate deposition occurred.

During July 2001, OVSICORI-UNA reported that the level of the lake had descended ~2 m since mid-March. The lake was gray in color with sulfur particles floating on the surface; vigorous evaporation made observation of its bottom difficult, and its temperature stood at 58°C. In the SW wall there were small areas sliding towards the lake, and a new noisy fumarole appeared on the S wall. The fumaroles on the NE and SW walls remained active, producing gas columns that reached up to 300 m. The columns, often visible from the N and NW flanks, were blown by predominant winds towards the W and SW flanks. Low-frequency events and microearthquakes increased during June and August 2001. A summary of earthquakes at Rincón de la Vieja appears in table 4.

Table 4. Summary of earthquakes at Rincón de la Vieja during May 2000 to August 2001, registered by a seismograph at a station located 5 km SW of the main crater. The reported earthquakes include microseisms with amplitudes under 5 mm. The reported tremor durations were sums of discontinuous segments and were of low frequency (below 2 Hz). Missing months indicate that no data were available at the time of report preparation. Courtesy of OVSICORI-UNA.

Month LF HF Micro-earthquakes Tremor duration VT Total
May 2000 3 1 25 105 minutes -- 29
Aug 2000 8 -- 21 30 minutes -- 29
Sep 2000 7 -- -- 210 minutes 11 18
Mar 2001 2 -- 5 -- -- 7
May 2001 5 -- 2 -- -- 7
Jun 2001 12 -- 20 -- 1 33
Aug 2001 35 -- 50 -- -- 85

General References. Barquero, J., and others, 1978-1986, Estado de los Volcanes de Costa Rica (15 annual or semi-annual reports): Boletín de Vulcanología, nos. 2-13 and 15-17.

Garcia, M.O., and Malavassi, E. (eds.), 1983, Memoir, USA-Costa Rica Joint Seminar in Volcanology, San José, January 1982: Universidad Nacional, Heredia, 155 p. (18 papers).

Information Contacts: Observatorio Vulcanológico y Sismológico de Costa Rica, Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA), Apartado 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica.


October 2007 (BGVN 32:10) Citation IconCite this Report

Continued fumarolic activity; sulfur floating in the lake

During September 2006 through at least May 2007, low-level fumarolic and seismic activity continued at Rincón de la Vieja. At the edge of the crater, Fumarolic gases often irritated the eyes, skin, and throat.

During September 2006, the level of the lake was high, with convection cells and particles of sulfur floating on the surface. The lake displayed yellow color with minor evaporation and a temperature of 39°C. Fumarolic activity was occurring in the S wall and SW part of the crater. Columns of gases rose above the edge of the crater and were carried by the predominant winds toward the W and SW. The fumaroles on the N side produced only low-level emissions.

By April and May 2007, the level of the lake had descended some 50 cm with respect to September 2006. The lake color turned to gray with minor evaporation. In the S, there were particles of sulfur floating on the surface and a temperature of 45°C. The fumarolic activity on the SW wall displayed low levels of gas emission and rich sulfur depositions. The fumaroles of the N side were inactive.

Information Contacts: E. Fernández, E. Duarte, R. Van der Laat, M. Martinez, W. Sáenz, V. Barboza, Observatorio Vulcanologico Sismologica de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA), Apartado 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica (URL: http://www.ovsicori.una.ac.cr/).


July 2008 (BGVN 33:07) Citation IconCite this Report

Tremor durations from minutes to over an hour during June-April 2008

Activity at Rincón de la Vieja was last reviewed in May 2007 (BGVN 32:10), when low-level fumarolic activity was noted. During June 2007, the seismographic station 5 km to the SW of the crater registered seven low-frequency earthquakes and three low-frequency tremors. The first tremor occurred on 12 June and lasted 2 hours and eight minutes; the second and third occurred on 27 and 28 June and they lasted 37 minutes and 38 minutes, respectively.

The July earthquake activity was consistent with June; 6 low frequency quakes were recorded. Again, tremor activity occurred on 28 and 29 July, the first lasted 35 minutes and the second lasted 17 minutes. Little activity was noted during August and September, and October activity consisted only of tremors. On 23 October, the tremor lasted 37 minutes, and on 24 October it lasted 25 minutes.

No significant seismicity was recorded during the first three weeks of November. The seismic recording instrument went out of service from 22 November through December and January.

During February, 2008, 44 low-frequency earthquakes were registered in two groups; the first on 6 and 7 February and the second between 17 and 23 February.

Technical difficulties in March precluded a complete record of seismic activity; however, when recording was available, 116 low frequency earthquakes were noted.

Technical problems persisted in April, however during the first part of the month there was a low-frequency earthquake and 1.16 hours of tremor. Two deep earthquakes were also noted; the first registering M 3.5 at a depth of 11 km and the second M 2.9 at a 25 km depth.

Information Contacts: E. Fernández, E. Duarte, R. Van der Laat, M. Martinez, W. Sáenz, V. Barboza, Observatorio Vulcanologico Sismologica de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA), Apartado 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica (URL: http://www.ovsicori.una.ac.cr/).


April 2011 (BGVN 36:04) Citation IconCite this Report

Fumarolically active but non-eruptive through January 2011

Low-frequency earthquakes and tremor were reported at Rincón de la Vieja during the first half of 2008 (BGVN 33:07). Since then, Observatorio Vulcanologico Sismologica de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA) had issued intermittent reports of activity through January 2011. Those reports are summarized in the following sections, with much of the discussion centered around fumaroles and behavior of the geothermally warmed lake in the active crater. Occasional, typically small phreatic eruptions had occurred here in past years, for example in the 1990s (eg., BGVN 21:02, 21:03, 22:01, and 23:03) but were absent in the current reporting interval (last half of 2008 through January 2011).

August 2008. OVSICORI-UNA reported that the level of the lake was at a high level, with a bluish color, generated convection cells with evaporation, and had sulfur particles visible on it's surface. Sulfur deposition and fumarolic activity continued along the SW wall.

March 2009. In mid-March 2009, scientists visited the S and SW flank, collected samples, and noted some temperatures of 75-78°C. Because the visit occurred during the dry season, most areas encountered were dry. The scientists examined an area of acidification to the W of Von Seebach crater, ~3 km SW of the active crater. Strong winds common in that direction sometimes carried volcanic gases. Consequently, most of this narrow expanse only contained patches of grassland and shrubs that barely covered the rocky surface.

October 2009. OVSICORI-UNA reported that seismographic station RIN3, located ~5 km SW of the main crater, registered volcano-tectonic events and tremor lasting for minutes.

Weak ongoing fumarolic activity during 2010 through January 2011. OVSICORI-UNA reported that the level of the crater lake remained high during 2010, with constant evaporation. Geochemical, seismic, and deformation data did not show significant changes in physico-chemical parameters during 2010. The changing color of the lake, from blue to gray, was attributed to intense rains and fumarolic activity in the crater.

Later reporting. Reports during 2010 through at least January 2011 described fumarolic activity along the S and SW walls of the crater, with sulfur deposition and moderate gas discharge. The lake remained a gray color, with sulfur particles in suspension. Figure 15 shows a photo taken in April of the crater looking at the SW wall with fumarolic activity along with sulfur deposition. In April 2010, OVSICORI-UNA reported that the temperature of the lake was 49°C. A fumarole sometimes seen active along the N flank had stopped discharging gas.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 15. Photo of the active crater lake of Rincón de la Vieja on 29 April 2010 showing yellow sulfur deposits and fumarolic activity along the SW wall of the crater. This kind of activity was typical throughout the reporting interval (last half of 2008 through January 2011). Photo by E. Fernandez, OVSICORI-UNA.

OVSICORI-UNA reported that 2010 was unusual in that four domestic volcanoes were active: Arenal, Poás, Turrialba, and Rincón de la Vieja. Irazú was comparatively inactive (see separate report in this issue of the Bulletin).

Information Contacts: E. Fernández, W. Sáenz, E. Duarte, M. Martínez, S. Miranda, F. Robichaud, T. Marino, M. Villegas, and J. Barquero, Observatorio Vulcanologico Sismologica de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA), Apartado 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica (URL: http://www.ovsicori.una.ac.cr/).


January 2016 (BGVN 41:01) Citation IconCite this Report

Explosive eruptions resume in August 2011 after 13 years; intermittent activity through 2015

Costa Rica's Rincon de la Vieja volcano, part of a large volcanic complex in the Guanacaste Range, has had intermittent phreatic explosions with historical observations dating back to 1765, often separated by decades of inactivity. Major eruptions in the mid-1990s caused large mudflows and significant damage to the local communities. Since that time the volcano has presented persistent subaerial and subaqueous fumarolic activity around the crater lake, but otherwise has been quiet. Costa Rica's Observatorio Vulcanologico Sismologica de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA) monitors the volcano, and after the 2011 eruptive episode (discussed below) installed new monitoring equipment, in conjunction with Observatorio Sismológico y Vulcanológico Arenal-Miravalles del Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (OSIVAM-ICE), which also tracks events at the volcano.

The first explosions since 1998 began on 22 August 2011. This was followed by several more phreatic eruptions in September 2011. Explosions were again reported in February, April, and October 2012. No explosions were reported in 2013, although unusual seismic activity was recorded. In 2014, explosions were reported in September and October. Increased seismic activity and phreatic eruptions again occurred in June, August, and October 2015. There were no VAAC reports or MODIS thermal anomalies reported between January 2011 and December 2015.

Activity during 2011. Activity in early 2011 consisted of mild underwater and surface fumarolic activity in the SW and S wall of the active crater, and a moderate level of emissions. The acidic lake had a light gray color with sulfur particles in suspension. This was characteristic of conditions at the volcano over the previous 13 years.

Conditions changed on 22 August 2011, when a local guide reported seeing a column of dark material erupt 5 m high above the lake. Another eruption was observed on 9 September by a local guide; the fine sediment from that explosion was deposited on the N rim of the crater. On 16 September an eruption was heard by local guides around 1400, and an ash plume rose above the crater and deposited material 200 m downhill from the N edge of the crater. Heavy rain later in the day eroded most of the new material into the nearby Zanjon and Azufrada streams. The volcanic material caused changes in water quality along the main creeks and major rivers north of the volcano. Dead fish were noted the next day in the town of Buenos Aires de Upala (7.5 km N) and Birmania de Upala (18 km NNE). On the morning of 23 September, residents of Dos Rios de Upala (10 km NW) observed light gray ash on the northern edge of the crater from an eruption during the previous night.

OVSICORI-UNA scientists visited during 27-29 September 2011 to confirm the eruption and document its effects. Streams flowing north from the crater contained deposits up to 15 cm thick of fresh volcaniclastic sediment from the eruptions (figure 16) at least 2 km away. A thin layer of ash was also observed on nearby vegetation.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 16. Freshly deposited sediment (10-15 cm thick) in a stream bed 2 km N of the crater from the eruptions of September 2011 at Rincon de la Vieja. Photo by Eliecer Duarte, 27 September 2011. Courtesy of OVSICORI-UNA (September 2011 Monthly Bulletin).

The scientists observed that the lake was actively convecting, and grayish in color due to the suspended sediments (figure 17). They also observed a small eruption from a cell at the center of the lake that rose about 1 m. The fumarolic activity was concentrated in the S and SW parts of the inner crater wall, and plumes of steam and gas rose above the eastern edge of the crater.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 17. The acidic lake of Rincon de la Vieja volcano on 27 September 2011 during a visit by OVSICORI-UNA scientists after eruptive activity began again in August. Note the gray color indicating abundant suspended sediment, and the convection cell at the center of the lake. View is looking north from the south rim. Courtesy of OVSICORI-UNA (Field Report 25-27 September, 2011).

Several hot springs are located on the N flank. Readings from a thermometer installed near the hot springs indicated a systematic and substantial increase in water temperature between August and September 2011, consistent with the reports of renewed eruptive activity. The lake is highly acidic (pH

No eruptions were reported in October 2011, but when scientists visited again on 23 November the lake level remained high, was light gray in color, and had a temperature of 34°C. Poor weather prevented visual observation, but rumbling noises from the lake suggested a small phreatic event at 1050 local time which was recorded by the nearby seismic station.

Activity during 2012. Intermittent phreatic explosions continued in 2012. OVSICORI-UNA reported that seismic data revealed two eruptions on 19 and 20 February. The Red Sismologica Nacional (RSN) also reported two more small eruptions on 23 February when explosions were heard in Guachipelin (11 km SW) between 0400 and 0430, although these events were not recorded seismically. A somewhat larger eruption occurred at 1400 on 14 April 2012, which was clearly recorded by the nearby seismic equipment, visually observed, and also heard as an explosion that generated a column of vapor and sediments visible from Buenos Aires and Aguas Claras de Upala, ~7 km N of the crater (figure 18). A seismic event on 9 May that was not associated with any unusual surface activity was thought by OVSICORI-UNA scientists to be possibly associated with fluid movement inside the volcano (figure 18).

Figure (see Caption) Figure 18. (left) Seismograph of the 14 April 2012 phreatic eruption of Rincon de la Vieja; (center) photo of the vapor-rich volcanic plume generated by the phreatic eruption as seen from Aguas Claras de Upala on 14 April 2012 (Photo: Yanela Zamora Ugarte); (right) monochromatic tremor not associated with unusual surface activity recorded 9 May 2012: seismograph on top, spectrogram in the middle and spectrum of frequencies at the bottom. Courtesy of OVSICORI-UNA (Monthly Bulletin, April 2012).

In October 2012, seismicity was dominated by tremors of very low amplitude and low frequency. One small phreatic eruption was recorded on 17 October 2012.

There were no significant changes in the physical or chemical parameters of the lake in 2012. In March, the temperature was 29°C and the pH was 0.42, and in December the temperature was 33°C and the pH was 0.37. Molten sulfur was observed floating on the surface during both visits. The temperatures of the fumaroles on the N flank of the volcano remained around 90-91°C, and the fumaroles SW of the crater were measured at 96-100°C during 2012.

Activity during 2013. OVSICORI-UNA received reports at 0530 on 26 February 2013 from police in Buenos Aires de Upala of pulsing white plumes rising from the active crater about every four minutes. The seismic records showed no signals associated with a phreatic eruption or sudden gas output, and no other reports from local communities were received. Cloud cover prevented thermal imaging during an overflight the next day; however, clear views of the N and S flanks and areas SW showed no evidence of ashfall, and thus OVSICORI-UNA scientists concluded that no eruptive activity had occurred. A plume from the crater was visible on a still day on 20 March from Buenos Aires de Upala (7.5 km N). In April fumarole temperatures were measured at over 130°C, and highly active convection cells with regular pulses of heat about every three minutes were observed in the lake. The lake pH was 0.1, and temperature measured with the thermal camera was 36°C.

In May 2013, Observatorio Sismológico y Vulcanológico Arenal-Miravalles del Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (OSIVAM-ICE) reported an increase in seismic activity, characterized by an increase in the amplitude of low-frequency hybrid and VLF signals (

Figure (see Caption) Figure 19. Hybrid-type seismic events recorded on 22 May 2013 at Rincon de la Vieja. Courtesy of OVSICORI-UNA (Monthly Bulletin, May 2013).

Activity during 2014. In April 2014, for the first time, scientists were able to record measurements of SO2 emissions at Rincon de la Vieja. Values of around 70 metric tons per day were measured using a FlySpec V3 system. Seismicity remained low until September when several tremor episodes and low-frequency earthquakes occurred. OVSICORI-UNA reported that at 1237 on 17 September 2014 a seismic signal indicating a phreatic explosion was detected by a station about 5 km S of the volcano. A second explosion, detected at 2048 and lasting three minutes, was of a larger magnitude and a longer duration. Additional explosions were also detected at 1825 on 19 September and at 0304, 0439, and 0634 on 20 September. Residents on the N flank who heard the event on 19 September and saw the explosion at 0634 on 20 September reported that ejecta did not reach beyond the crater. An overflight on 20 September revealed that the temperature of the lake water was about 45°C, an increase from about 30°C measured in April. In addition, significant increases in acidity, electrical conductivity, and sulfate/fluoride and sulfate/chloride ratios were observed in September. Extensive low-frequency earthquakes and tremors (lasting for six hours) were again reported on 27 September.

On 24 October a small phreatic eruption was recorded, but otherwise seismic activity remained low. Gas measurements in early October indicated a significant decline in the CO2/SO2 and H2S/SO2 ratios of gases as compared with measurements made prior to the eruptions of September 2014. On 9 November a neighborhood north of the volcano observed a diffuse plume of steam coming from the crater, but there was no associated seismic signal, and thus OVSICORI-UNA scientists concluded that it was not a phreatic explosion. By November the fumaroles on the inner W wall of the crater were much quieter, and the lake was a milky turquoise color at a very high level due to significant precipitation (figure 20).

Figure (see Caption) Figure 20. Rincon de la Vieja on 6 November 2014. Note the high water level of the lake and low-temperature fumaroles in the inner W wall of the active crater. The milky turquoise color indicates that the underwater fumarolic activity was quiet. Photo credit: Volcano National Park Rincon de la Vieja. Courtesy of OVSICORI-UNA (Monthly Bulletin, November 2014).

Activity during 2015. In May and June 2015 OVSICORI-UNA and OSIVAM-ICE installed new dataloggers and temperature sensors at two hot springs located approximately 3.2 km NE (the "Land of Senses Sanctuary") and 7.5 km N (the Blue River Sanctuary) of the active crater with the intent of monitoring changes in the water temperature and chemistry at the hot springs. At 2001 on 16 June and 1729 on 18 June, phreatic explosions that were preceded by LP and "tornillo" type seismic signals were recorded, but otherwise seismic activity was low during the month. Another small phreatic eruption that was barely distinguishable from ambient noise was recorded by OSIVAM-ICE and OVSICORI-UNA seismographs on 21 August at 0313 local time and lasted for about 80 seconds.

Activity increased substantially in October 2015, when at least ten small to moderate phreatic eruptions were recorded. On 1 October a long-period (LP) signal was recorded with a duration of 180 seconds possibly associated with a moderate exhalation of gas or vapor and a small phreatic eruption in the active crater. During a visit on 8 October, scientists observed fresh sediments and altered rock fragments around the eastern edge of the crater likely from a moderate eruption that occurred at 0624 on 4 October. Vigorous convection cells were also observed in the milky-gray lake. The most significant seismic activity occurred on 16 October and lasted for seven hours and was probably accompanied by a moderate phreatic eruption. In an aerial view on 17 October freshly ejected material was observed on the N flank (figure 21). The biggest eruption was recorded on 21 October. The largest eruptions ejected materials from the lake bottom towards the north side of the crater. Heavy rains washed these materials down river drainages. Seismicity remained low in November 2015, and no further phreatic eruptions were reported in 2015.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 21. Aerial view of Rincon de la Vieja from the E on 17 October 2015 at 0900 local time. The lake is milky colored, with strong convection cells of sulfur, sediments, and gases rising from the surface. Note sediments and other materials deposited on the N flank (right side) from phreatic eruptions between 4 and 16 October 2015. Photo credit: Federico Chavarria Kopper. Courtesy of OVSICORI-UNA (October 2015 Monthly Bulletin).

Information Contacts: Observatorio Vulcanologico Sismologica de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA), Apartado 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica (URL: http://www.ovsicori.una.ac.cr/); Observatorio Sismológico y Vulcanológico Arenal-Miravalles del Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (OSIVAM-ICE), Sección de Sismología, Vulcanología y Exploración Geofísica, Escuela Centroamericana de Geología Apdo. 214-2060, San Pedro, Costa Rica (URL: http://rsn.ucr.ac.cr/actividad-volcanica/reportes-volcanicos); Red Sismologica Nacional (RSN), Sección de Sismología, Vulcanología y Exploración Geofísica, Escuela Centroamericana de Geología, Apdo. 214-2060, San Pedro, Costa Rica (URL: http://rsn.ucr.ac.cr/); Insidecostarica.com (URL: http://www.insidecostarica.com/dailynews/2012/february/24/costarica12022404.htm).


August 2017 (BGVN 42:08) Citation IconCite this Report

Phreatic explosions disperse material up to 2 km from the active crater in March 2016 and June 2017

The active crater at Costa Rica's Rincón de la Vieja, which contains a 500-m-wide acid lake, has been the site of numerous historic eruptions at this large volcanic complex. Intermittent phreatic explosions since 2011 have dispersed volcanic debris from the crater lake within a few kilometers of the crater rim and into the surrounding streams a number of times. The most recent previous activity included explosions in September and October 2014, and phreatic eruptions on June, August and October 2015 (BGVN 41:01); this report discusses activity during 2016 and through July 2017. Information comes from the Observatorio Vulcanológico Sismológica de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA) and the Observatorio Sismológico y Vulcanológico de Arenal-Miravalles (OSIVAM-ICE). The OVISAM-ICE reports are published through the Red Sismológica Nacional (RSN), the National Seismological Network. Ejected material is described in the original reports in various ways that appear to be interchangeable rather than signifying actual content differences, so those distinctions are not reflected below unless ash was specified.

The first evidence of a new episode of phreatic explosions was noted during a site visit on 15 February 2016. Numerous explosions during March spread material as far as 2 km from the crater rim. After an explosion on 1 May 2016 there were no further reports until 23 May 2017, when a series of intermittent explosions again ejected material onto the N and NW flanks and sent plumes of steam-and-gas as high as 2 km above the crater rim. The last reported explosion was on 5 July 2017.

Activity decreased at the end of 2015 after the phreatic explosions of 16-21 October. The number of seismic events increased again during February and March 2016. OVSICORI-UNA scientists observed the first evidence of a new episode of phreatic explosions during a field visit on 15 February 2016 when they noted deposits about 20 m from the crater rim. By the end of March, the RSN had reported 25 explosions. Three of the largest explosions occurred on 9 February, 9 March, and 18 March. They were characterized by episodes of tremor in pulses that usually lasted about five minutes prior to the phreatic explosion, and then changed to continuous tremor for several hours afterwards.

OSIVAM-ICE scientists reported photographic evidence of deposits from a 2 March explosion that covered a wide area on the N flank of the active crater (figure 22). They visited on 3 March 2016 and noted fresh deposits from the phreatic explosions about 200 m W of the crater rim (figure 23). They also witnessed three explosions during the afternoon, the longest lasting for 65 seconds.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 22. Deposits of material ejected from the crater lake on the N edge of Rincón de la Vieja associated with an eruptive event that occurred on 2 March 2016 at 1747 local time. Photo from Fernando Madrigal's Sensoria site, courtesy of RSN (Resumen de la actividad sísmica y eruptive del volcán Rincón de la Vieja (Costa Rica) 01 de octubre del 2015 al 15 de marzo del 2016).
Figure (see Caption) Figure 23. Deposit of material from the crater lake at Rincón de la Vieja on 3 March 2016, located about 200 m W of the crater rim. Photo by OSIVAM-ICE scientists, courtesy of RSN (Resumen de la actividad sísmica y eruptive del volcán Rincón de la Vieja (Costa Rica) 01 de octubre del 2015 al 15 de marzo del 2016).

Scientists from OVSICORI-UNA conducted additional site visits during 8 and 10-11 March 2016. On 8 March fresh ash was found about 120 m from the crater rim (figure 24), and a temperature of 55°C was measured remotely for the convection cell in the lake. Based on photographs taken by nearby residents, OVSICORI-UNA scientists estimated that the ash and steam plumes produced by the 9 and 10 March explosions rose 700 and 850 m, respectively, above the crater. Local residents reported to The Tico Times that ash fell on the roofs of their homes within an area up to 6 km around the volcano after the explosion on 9 March, mostly in communities N of the crater (Upala and Buenos Aires).

Figure (see Caption) Figure 24. The N rim of the active crater at Rincón de la Vieja on 8 March 2016 is marked with the outline (white dashes) showing the extent of material ejected during recent explosions. The arrow at the top shows the dominant wind direction. Inset on left shows riverbed deposits of recent material on 8 March, and the right inset images show the plumes from the 9 (upper) and 10 (lower) March explosions. Right inset photos by Jorge Viales, courtesy of OVSICORI (Erupciones del volcán Rincón de la Vieja: Observaciones de Campo).

The character of the deposits changed between February and March 2016, according to a report by OVSICORI scientists. The samples collected in February were rich in elemental sulfur, abundant in the crater lake and in the near-surface sediments. Studies of the March samples showed the presence of clasts of altered rocks, hydrothermal minerals, and elemental sulfur as well as 3-10% fresh glass.

During their summit visit on 10 and 11 March 2016, OVSICORI scientists noted a coating of white sediment, up to 5 mm thick in some places, covering the ground and the vegetation in a 400m-wide area to the SSW of the active crater (figure 25). Deposits extended as far as 2 km away, and coated the flanks of both the active crater and the nearby Von Seeback crater (figure 26).

Figure (see Caption) Figure 25. Material from phreatic explosions cover a Copey shrub at Rincón de la Vieja on 10 March 2016. The plant was located 1.5 km SSW from the active crater. Photo by E. Duarte, courtesy of OVSICORI-UNA (Visita al Volcán Rincón de la Vieja: Mapeo de Efecto y Características de Erupciones Freáticas Recientes).
Figure (see Caption) Figure 26. A view to the ESE on 10 March 2016 from the flank of the Von Seeback crater towards the active crater showing the coating of white sediments from the recent phreatic explosions at Rincón de la Vieja. The arrow points roughly NW showing the direction of sediment dispersal. Material was sampled at site 4 (white circle). Photo by E. Duarte, courtesy of OVSICORI-UNA (Visita al Volcán Rincón de la Vieja: Mapeo de Efecto y Características de Erupciones Freáticas Recientes).

A 15 March explosion generated a 700-m-high plume of water vapor and gas, according to an announcement from OVSICORI-UNA. They also reported an explosion on 1 May 2016 detected for 11 minutes by the seismic network. No further reports were made until May 2017.

A small lahar traveled down the N flank of the crater after an explosion on 23 May 2017. Explosions on 11 and 12 June were recorded seismically, but cloudy weather obscured visual observations. The Washington VAAC, however, noted a hotspot in the infrared satellite data on 11 June 2017 about 30 minutes before the explosion was reported. A diffuse steam plume was observed from Dos Rios de Upala rising about 50 m above the summit on 15 June, and a small phreatic explosion was recorded on 18 June 2017. A larger explosion on 23 June sent a plume 1-2 km above the summit, and ejected material to the W and NW onto the upper N flank toward the Von Seebach crater 2 km to the W. Small phreatic explosions on 5 July ejected material that did not rise above the crater rim.

Information Contacts: Observatorio Vulcanológico Sismológica de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA), Apartado 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica (URL: http://www.ovsicori.una.ac.cr/); Observatorio Sismológico y Vulcanológico Arenal-Miravalles del Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (OSIVAM-ICE), Sección de Sismología, Vulcanología y Exploración Geofísica, Escuela Centroamericana de Geología, Apdo. 214-2060, San Pedro, Costa Rica (URL: http://rsn.ucr.ac.cr/); The Tico Times (URL: http://www.ticotimes.net/2016/03/10/costa-rica-rincon-de-la-vieja-volcano-vapor-ash-explosions).


March 2018 (BGVN 43:03) Citation IconCite this Report

Phreatic explosions during 29 September-22 October 2017

During the first half of 2017, phreatic explosions at Rincón de la Vieja occurred on 23 May, 11-12 June (however, clouds obscured visible observations), 18 and 23 June, and 5 July (BGVN 42:08). This report describes activity from 6 July through December 2017. Information comes from the Observatorio Vulcanológico Sismológica de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA).

After a small phreatic explosion on 5 July 2017, there were no further reports of any explosions until 29 September when OVSICORI-UNA reported that at 0848 a small phreatic explosion produced a plume that rose 1 km above the crater rim (figure 27); material also flowed down the S flank.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 27. Webcam image of a phreatic explosion at Rincón de la Vieja on 29 September 2017. Courtesy of OVSICORI-UNA (color adjusted).

According to OVSICORI-UNA, events on 3 October at 0848 and 1445 generated plumes that rose 700 m and 1,500 m, respectively. OVSICORI-UNA also reported that on 9 October at 1048, a small explosion produced a plume that rose 700 m above the crater rim. According to news reports (The Costa Rica Star and CRHoy.com) quoting OVSICORI-UNA, an explosion on 22 October at 0640 generated a steam-and-gas plume that rose about 1 km above the crater. There were no further reports of an explosion through the end of December.

Information Contacts: Observatorio Vulcanológico Sismológica de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA), Apartado 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica (URL: http://www.ovsicori.una.ac.cr/, https://www.facebook.com/OVSICORI/); CRHoy.com (URL: http://www.crhoy.com/); The Costa Rica Star (URL: https://news.co.cr/).


September 2018 (BGVN 43:09) Citation IconCite this Report

Intermittent weak phreatic explosions during January-March and July-August 2018

The Rincón de la Vieja volcano complex has generated intermittent phreatic explosions since 2011; during 2017, weak phreatic explosions occurred during May, June, July, September, and October (BGVN 42:08 and 43:03). This activity continued through August 2018. The volcano is monitored by the Observatorio Vulcanologico Sismologica de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA).

According to OVSICORI-UNA, at 1758 on 9 January 2018, an explosion produced a plume that rose 1 km above the crater rim. On 12 January, OVSICORI-UNA reported some small phreatic explosions. The webcam detected weak explosions again in mid-February. Another weak explosion on 22 February confirmed the presence of a crater lake.

During the first week of March OVSICORI-UNA reported weak phreatic explosions of low amplitude that were only be detected by the webcam (figure 28), and not by seismic instruments. During the week of 5-11 March there were 2-4 weak phreatic explosions occurred per day, along with strong tremor on the 10th. Small eruptions were seen on unspecified days the week of 12-18 March.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 28. Webcam image of a phreatic explosion at Rincon de la Vieja on 3 March 2018. Courtesy of OVSICORI-UNA.

No phreatic activity was reported during the second half of March through June, though on 20 May a seismic swarm of about 30 earthquakes was recorded. After a tremor on 3 July, a possible weak phreatic explosion occurred on 4 July at 0044, followed by a pulse of tremor. On 28 July, at 1828, a small explosion followed by tremor was recorded.

On 3 August OVSICORI-UNA reported that two weak explosions occurred at dawn. On 14 August, another weak explosion began at 1828 and lasted three minutes. Foggy conditions prevented webcam views and an estimate of a plume height. Other weak explosions were recorded on 17 August at 1407 and 2015.

Information Contacts: Observatorio Vulcanologico Sismologica de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA), Apartado 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica (URL: http://www.ovsicori.una.ac.cr/).


April 2019 (BGVN 44:04) Citation IconCite this Report

Occasional weak phreatic explosions continue through February 2019

Intermittent small phreatic explosions from the acid lake of Rincón de la Vieja's active crater has most recently occurred since 2011 (BGVN 42:08, 43:03, and 43:09). This activity continued through at least February 2019. The volcano is monitored by the Observatorio Vulcanologico Sismologica de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA), and the information below comes from its weekly bulletins between 18 August 2018 and 28 February 2019. Weather conditions often prevented webcam views and estimates of plume heights. The volcano was in Activity Level 3 throughout the reporting period (volcano erupting, steady state).

According to OVSICORI-UNA, two distinct, 2-minute-long explosions occurred on 31 August 2018 beginning at 0434 and 1305. Several hours after the eruption tremor became continuous but low-frequency long-period (LP) earthquakes ceased. OVSICORI-UNA reported a gas emission late on 7 September. An unconfirmed small phreatic explosion occurred on 11 September at 0634, and another on 17 September at 1014. The seismic record showed continuous background tremor and very sporadic LP earthquakes.

Intermittent background tremor was recorded during the first half of October, along with a few emissions and phreatic explosions. Deformation measurements during October showed a contraction between the N and S of the volcano, with subsidence. On 17 October there was another phreatic explosion, and thereafter tremor disappeared and seismicity decreased. On 23 and 27 October seismic stations signaled additional possible phreatic explosions.

OVSICORI-UNA reported that a series of explosions began at 1945 on 4 November and consisted of at least three 2-minute-long episodes. The next day at 1511 a plume of water vapor and diffuse gas, recorded by a webcam and visible to residents to the N, rose about 100 m above the crater rim and drifted W. On 9 November a 2-minute-long explosion began at 1703. Another explosion on 27 November at 0237 produced a plume of water vapor and gas that rose 600 m above the crater rim and drifted SW. A short 1-minute explosion began at 1054 on 3 December.

Based on OVSICORI-UNA weekly bulletins, activity remained stable in January 2019 with small-amplitude phreatic explosions on 11, 12, and 14 January. More energetic phreatomagmatic explosions on 17 and 20 January produced lahars. Several small-amplitude explosions were detected at the end of the month. During January, a few LPs, no VTs, and intermittent tremor were recorded.

OVSICORI-UNA reported that two small-scale explosions occurred on 1 February, along with possible events at 1906 and 1950 on 5 February and at 0120 on 6 February. An event at 0000 on 6 February was also recorded; the report noted that poor weather conditions prevented visual observations of the crater. On 16 and 17 February strong degassing was observed. No LPs were recorded, but two significant VTs were detected on 17 and 22 February near or under the crater.

Information Contacts: Observatorio Vulcanologico Sismologica de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA), Apartado 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica (URL: http://www.ovsicori.una.ac.cr/).


August 2019 (BGVN 44:08) Citation IconCite this Report

Occasional weak phreatic explosions during March-July 2019

The acid lake of Rincón de la Vieja's active crater has generated intermittent weak phreatic explosions regularly since 2011, continuing during the past year through at least August 2019. The volcano is monitored by the Observatorio Vulcanologico Sismologica de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA), and the information below comes from its weekly bulletins between 4 March and 2 September 2019. Clouds often prevented webcam and satellite views. The current report describes activity from March through July 2019.

OVSICORI-UNA reported that weak events occurred on 19 March at 1851 and on 29 March 2019 at 2043. A two-minute-long phreatic explosion on 1 April at 0802 produced a plume that rose 600 m above the crater rim. Continuous emissions were visible during 3-4 April, rising 200 m above the crater rim. On 3 April, at 1437, a small explosion was detected. An explosion on 10 April at 0617 produced a gas-and-steam plume that rose 1 km above the crater rim and drifted SE. On 12 April at 0643, a plume rose 500 m. Another event took place at 0700 on 13 April, although poor weather conditions prevented visual observations. On 14 April, OVSICORI-UNA noted that aerial photographs showed a milky-gray acid lake at a relatively low water level with convection cells of several tens meters of diameter in the center and eastern parts of the lake.

According to an OVSICORI-UNA bulletin, a small phreatic explosion occurred on 1 May. Another explosion on 11 May at 0720 produced a white gas-and-steam plume that rose 600 m above the crater rim. Phreatic explosions were recorded on 14 May at 1703 and on 17 May at 0357, though dense fog prevented visual confirmation of both events with webcams. On 15 May a local observer noted a diffuse plume of steam and gas, material rising from the crater, and photographed milky-gray deposits on the N part of the crater rim ejected from the event the day before. A major explosion occurred on 24 May.

OVSICORI-UNA recorded a significant phreatic 10-minute-long explosion that began on 11 June at 0343, but plumes were not visible due to weather conditions. No further phreatic events were reported in July.

Seismic activity was very low during the reporting period, and there was no significant deformation. Short tremors were frequent toward the end of April, but were only periodic in May and June; tremor almost disappeared in July. A few long-period earthquakes were recorded, and volcano-tectonic earthquakes were even less frequent.

Information Contacts: Observatorio Vulcanologico Sismologica de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA), Apartado 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica (URL: http://www.ovsicori.una.ac.cr/, https://www.facebook.com/OVSICORI/).


April 2020 (BGVN 45:04) Citation IconCite this Report

Weak phreatic explosions during August 2019-March 2020; ash and lahars reported in late January

Rincón de la Vieja is a remote volcanic complex in Costa Rica containing an acid lake that has regularly generated weak phreatic explosions since 2011 (BGVN 44:08). The most recent eruptive period occurred during late March-early June 2019, primarily consisting of small phreatic explosions, minor deposits on the N crater rim, and gas-and-steam emissions. The report period of August 2019-March 2020 was characterized by similar activity, including small phreatic explosions, gas-and-steam plumes, ash and lake sediment ejecta, and volcanic tremors. The most significant activity during this time occurred on 30 January, where a phreatic explosion ejected ash and lake sediment above the crater rim, resulting in a pyroclastic flow which gradually turned into a lahar. Information for this reporting period of August 2019-March 2020 comes from the Observatorio Vulcanologico Sismologica de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA) using weekly bulletins.

According to OVSICORI-UNA, a small hydrothermal eruption was recorded on 1 August 2019. The seismicity was low with a few long period (LP) earthquakes around 1 August and intermittent background tremor. No explosions or emissions were reported through 11 September; seismicity remained low with an occasional LP earthquake and discontinuous tremor. The summit’s extension that has been recorded since the beginning of June stopped, and no significant deformation was observed in August.

Starting again in September 2019 and continuing intermittently through the reporting period, some deformation was observed at the base of the volcano as well as near the summit, according to OVSICORI-UNA. On 12 September an eruption occurred that was followed by volcanic tremors that continued through 15 September. In addition to these tremors, vigorous sustained gas-and-steam plumes were observed. The 16 September weekly bulletin did not describe any ejecta produced as a result of this event.

During 1-3 October small phreatic eruptions were accompanied by volcanic tremors that had decreased by 5 October. In November, volcanism and seismicity were relatively low and stable; few LP earthquakes were reported. This period of low activity remained through December. At the end of November, horizontal extension was observed at the summit, which continued through the first half of January.

Small phreatic eruptions were recorded on 2, 28, and 29 January 2020, with an increase in seismicity occurring on 27 January. On 30 January at 1213 a phreatic explosion produced a gas column that rose 1,500-2,000 m above the crater, with ash and lake sediment ejected up to 100 m above the crater. A news article posted by the Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR) noted that this explosion generated pyroclastic flows that traveled down the N flank for more than 2 km from the crater. As the pyroclastic flows moved through tributary channels, lahars were generated in the Pénjamo river, Zanjonuda gorge, and Azufrosa, traveling N for 4-10 km and passing through Buenos Aires de Upala (figure 29). Seismicity after this event decreased, though there were still some intermittent tremors.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 29. Photo of a lahar generated from the 30 January 2020 eruption at Rincon de la Vieja. Photo taken by Mauricio Gutiérrez, courtesy of UCR.

On 17, 24, and 25 February and 11, 17, 19, 21, and 23 March, small phreatic eruptions were detected, according to OVSICORI-UNA. Geodetic measurements observed deformation consisting of horizontal extension and inflation near the summit in February-March. By the week of 30 March, the weekly bulletin reported 2-3 small eruptions accompanied by volcanic tremors occurred daily during most days of the week. None of these eruptions produced solid ejecta, pyroclastic flows, or lahars, according to the weekly OVSICORI-UNA bulletins during February-March 2020.

Information Contacts: Observatorio Vulcanologico Sismologica de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA), Apartado 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica (URL: http://www.ovsicori.una.ac.cr/, https://www.facebook.com/OVSICORI/); Luis Enrique Brenes Portuguéz, University of Costa Rica, Ciudad Universitaria Rodrigo Facio Brenes, San José, San Pedro, Costa Rica (URL: https://www.ucr.ac.cr/noticias/2020/01/30/actividad-del-volcan-rincon-de-la-vieja-es-normal-segun-experto.html).


October 2020 (BGVN 45:10) Citation IconCite this Report

Frequent small phreatic explosions with intermittent ash plumes during April-September 2020

Rincón de la Vieja is a remote volcanic complex in Costa Rica that contains an acid lake. Frequent weak phreatic explosions have occurred since 2011 (BGVN 44:08). The most recent eruption period began in January 2020, which consisted of small phreatic explosions, gas-and-steam plumes, pyroclastic flows, and lahars (BGVN 45:04). This reporting period covers April through September 2020, with activity characterized by continued small phreatic explosions, three lahars, frequent gas-and-steam plumes, and ash plumes. The primary source of information for this report is the Observatorio Vulcanologico Sismologica de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA) using weekly bulletins and the Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC).

Small, frequent, phreatic explosions were common at Rincón de la Vieja during this reporting period. One to several eruptions were reported on at least 16 days in April, 15 days in May, 8 days in June, 10 days in July, 18 days in August, and 13 days in September (table 5). Intermittent ash plumes accompanied these eruptions, rising 100-3,000 m above the crater and drifting W, NW, and SW during May and N during June. Occasional gas-and-steam plumes were also observed rising 50-2,000 m above the crater rim.

Table 5. Monthly summary of activity at Rincón de la Vieja during April through September 2020. Courtesy of OVSICORI-UNA.

Month Minimum total days of eruptions Ash plume height (m above the crater) Notable plume drift Gas-and-steam plume height (m above the crater)
Apr 2020 16 200-1,000 - 50-1,500
May 2020 15 200-3,000 W, NW, SW 200-2,000
Jun 2020 8 100-2,000 N -
Jul 2020 10 1,000 - -
Aug 2020 18 500-1,000 - 500
Sep 2020 13 700 - 50

During April small explosions were detected almost daily, some of which generated ash plumes that rose 200-1,000 m above the crater and gas-and-steam emissions that rose 50-1,500 m above the crater. On 4 April an eruption at 0824 produced an ash plume that rose 1 km above the crater rim. A small hydrothermal explosion at 0033 on 11 April, recorded by the webcam in Sensoria (4 km N), ejected water and sediment onto the upper flanks. On 15 April a phreatic eruption at 0306 resulted in lahars in the Pénjamo, Azufrada, and Azul rivers, according to local residents. Several small explosions were detected during the morning of 19 April; the largest phreatic eruption ejected water and sediment 300 m above the crater rim and onto the flanks at 1014, generated a lahar, and sent a gas-and-steam plume 1.5 km above the crater (figure 30). On 24 April five events were recorded by the seismic network during the morning, most of which produced gas-and-steam plumes that rose 300-500 m above the crater. The largest event on this day occurred at 1020, ejecting water and solid material 300 m above the crater accompanied by a gas-and-steam plume rising up to 1 km.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 30. Webcam image of small hydrothermal eruptions at Rincón de la Vieja on 19 April 2020. Image taken by the webcam in Dos Ríos de Upala; courtesy of OVSICORI-UNA.

Similar frequent phreatic activity continued in May, with ash plumes rising 200-1,500 m above the crater, drifting W, NW, and SW, and gas-and-steam plumes rising up to 2 km. On 5 May an eruption at 1317 produced a gas-and-steam plume 200 m above the crater and a Washington VAAC advisory reported that an ash plume rose to 2.1 km altitude, drifting W. An event at 1925 on 9 May generated a gas-and-steam plume that rose almost 2 km. An explosion at 1128 on 15 May resulted in a gas-and-steam plume that rose 1 km above the crater rim, accompanied by a gray, sediment-laden plume that rose 400 m. On 21 May a small ash eruption at 0537 sent a plume 1 km above the crater (figure 31). According to a Washington VAAC advisory, an ash plume rose 3 km altitude, drifting NW on 22 May. During the early evening on 25 May an hour-long sequence of more than 70 eruptions and emissions, according to OVSICORI-UNA, produced low gas-and-steam plumes and tephra; at 1738, some ejecta was observed above the crater rim. The next day, on 26 May, up to 52 eruptive events were observed. An eruption at 2005 was not visible due to weather conditions; however, it resulted in a minor amount of ashfall up to 17 km W and NW, which included Los Angeles of Quebrada Grande and Liberia. A phreatic explosion at 1521 produced a gray plume that rose 1.5 km above the crater (figure 31). An eruption at 1524 on 28 May sent an ash plume 3 km above the crater that drifted W, followed by at least three smaller eruptions at 1823, 1841, and 1843. OVSICORI-UNA reported that volcanism began to decrease in frequency on 28-29 May. Sulfur dioxide emissions ranged between 100 and 400 tons per day during 28 May to 15 June.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 31. Webcam images of gray gas-and-steam and ash emissions at Rincón de la Vieja on 21 (left), and 27 (right) May 2020. Both images taken by the webcam in Dos Ríos de Upala and Sensoria; courtesy of OVSICORI-UNA.

There were eight days with eruptions in June, though some days had multiple small events; phreatic eruptions reported on 1-2, 13, 16-17, 19-20, and 23 June generated plumes 1-2 km above the crater (figure 32). During 2-8 June SO2 emissions were 150-350 tons per day; more than 120 eruptions were recorded during the preceding weekend. Ashfall was observed N of the crater on 4 June. During 9-15 June the SO2 emissions increased slightly to 100-400 tons per day. During 16-17 June several small eruptive events were detected, the largest of which occurred at 1635 on 17 June, producing an ash plume that rose 1 km above the crater.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 32. Webcam images of gray gas-and-steam and ash plumes rising from Rincón de la Vieja on 1 (top left), 2 (top right), 7 (bottom left), and 13 (bottom right) June 2020. The ash plume on 1 June rose between 1.5 and 2 km above the crater. The ash plume on 13 June rose 1 km above the crater. Courtesy of OVSICORI-UNA.

Explosive hydrothermal activity was lower in June-September compared to January-May 2020, according to OVSICORI-UNA. Sporadic small phreatic explosions and earthquakes were registered during 22-25 and 29 July-3 August, though no lahars were reported. On 25 July an eruptive event at 0153 produced an ash plume that rose 1 km above the crater. Similar activity continued into August. On 5 and 6 August phreatic explosions were recorded at 0546 and 0035, respectively, the latter of which generated a plume that rose 500 m above the crater. These events continued to occur on 10, 16, 19-20, 22-25, 27-28, and 30-31 August, generating plumes that rose 500 m to 1 km above the crater.

On 3 September geologists observed that the acid lake in the main crater had a low water level and exhibited strong gas emissions; vigorous fumaroles were observed on the inner W wall of the crater, measuring 120°C. Gas-and-steam emissions continued to be detected during September, occasionally accompanied by phreatic eruptions. On 7 September an eruption at 0750 produced an ash plume that rose 50 m above the crater while the accompanying gas-and-steam plume rose 500 m. Several low-energy phreatic explosions occurred during 8-17, 20, and 22-28 September, characterized primarily by gas-and-steam emissions. An eruption on 16 September ejected material from the crater and generated a small lahar. Sulfur dioxide emissions were 100 tons per day during 16-21 September. On 17 September an eruption at 0632 produced an ash plume that rose 700 m above the crater (figure 33). A relatively large eruptive event at 1053 on 22 September ejected material out of the crater and into N-flank drainages.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 33. Webcam image of an eruption plume rising above Rincón de la Vieja on 17 September 2020. Courtesy of OVSICORI-UNA.

Information Contacts: Observatorio Vulcanologico Sismologica de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA), Apartado 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica (URL: http://www.ovsicori.una.ac.cr/, https://www.facebook.com/OVSICORI/); Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Satellite Analysis Branch (SAB), NOAA/NESDIS OSPO, NOAA Science Center Room 401, 5200 Auth Rd, Camp Springs, MD 20746, USA (URL: www.ospo.noaa.gov/Products/atmosphere/vaac, archive at: http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/VAAC/archive.html).


March 2021 (BGVN 46:03) Citation IconCite this Report

Frequent small phreatic explosions through 13 December 2020

Recent activity at Rincón de la Vieja has been dominated by frequent weak phreatic explosions, with an occasional ash plume, along with gas-and-steam emissions. Sporadic lahars have also been recently reported (BGVN 45:10). The volcano has a hot, churning, acid lake in its main crater. The current report describes activity during October 2020-February 2021, a continuation of the most recent eruptive period that began in January 2020. The primary information source for this report is weekly bulletin from the Observatorio Vulcanologico Sismologica de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA).

According to OVSICORI-UNA, small but frequent hydrothermal explosions continued in October through mid-December 2020, although less energetic than during previous months (figure 34). During the first half of October there were 1-2 daily small explosions. Plumes often rose 500-800 m above the crater rim, but on 1 and 6 October they rose 1 km. Then the number briefly increased to 5-7 small daily explosions before decreasing during the latter part of October; one explosion seen in webcam images on 24 October sent a plume to 1 km above the crater (figure 35).

Figure (see Caption) Figure 34. Graph showing the number of daily eruptions at Rincón de la Vieja during 2020. Following frequent phreatic explosions during April-June, weak intermittent explosions were detected again starting in late July and continuing through December 2020. Courtesy of OVSICORI-UNA.
Figure (see Caption) Figure 35. Webcam photo of Rincón de la Vieja taken on 24 October 2020 at 0808 local time. According to OVSICORI-UNA, the explosion lasted for about a minute and the resulting plume rose to 1 km above the crater. Courtesy of OVSICORI-UNA, as reported by The Nacion.

OVSICORI-UNA reported that in November small-to-moderate hydrothermal explosions increased in amplitude, but became more sporadic and by the end of the month had decreased to only one per day. An explosion at 0835 on 3 November produced a plume that rose 800 m above the crater rim. According to OVSICORI’s weekly bulletin for 23 November, there had been 1,437 explosions since the beginning of 2020. A large explosion on 13 December was the last through at least February 2021. During the week of 18 January OVSICORI changed the Alert Level from 3 to 2 due to the low level of activity.

Geodesic monitoring at the summit by GPS indicated no deformation trend in October, significant contraction in November, some extension in December, but then no significant changes through at least February 2021. Aerial observations on 13 February indicated that the crater lake was at a low water level and had sustained convection. The lake level had dropped 15-20 m since February 2020, and 5-10 m since May 2020. Gas monitoring during October 2020-February 2021 was carried out at the Ojo de Agua Santuarium (4 km N of the active crater); sulfur dioxide in the plume was not detected in significant quantities.

Information Contacts: Observatorio Vulcanologico Sismologica de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA), Apartado 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica (URL: http://www.ovsicori.una.ac.cr/, https://www.facebook.com/OVSICORI/); The Nacion (URL: https://www.nacion.com/).


November 2021 (BGVN 46:11) Citation IconCite this Report

Powerful explosion on 28 June 2021 sends plume 5 km above crater

Activity at Rincón de la Vieja, in Costa Rica, is typically characterized by weak phreatic explosions that generate gas-and-steam emissions and plumes. This report covers activity during March-August 2021, and is based primarily on weekly bulletins from the Observatorio Vulcanologico Sismologica de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA) and satellites. Almost all of the reported explosions during March-August 2021 (table 6) were identified by OVSICORI-UNA as being phreatic; no explosions occurred after 13 December 2020 until 29 May 2021.

Table 6. Summary of activity at Rincón de la Vieja during March-August 2021 from weekly bulletins. Courtesy of OVSICORI-UNA.

Date Remarks
29 May 2021 Two low-energy phreatic explosions (105 Joules) were recorded by the infrasound monitoring system. One explosion was heard in Gavilán (7 km N).
01 Jun 2021 Minor phreatic explosion. No visual observation.
06 Jun 2021 Minor phreatic explosion. No visual observation.
15 Jun 2021 Minor phreatic explosion.
20 Jun 2021 Possible phreatic explosion. Signal not clear.
28 Jun 2021 Major explosion at 0542 lasting 3 minutes.
01 Jul 2021 Explosion at 0838. No visual observation.
03 Jul 2021 Minor emissions visible at 0937, 0940, and 1006.
04 Jul 2021 Minor steam emissions.
12 Jul 2021 Minor explosion at 1426.
16-17 Jul 2021 Increase in fumarolic activity within crater.
31 Jul 2021 Minor phreatic explosion at 1133 after heavy rains, accompanied by continuous tremor. Weather conditions prevented visual confirmation.
12 Aug 2021 Explosions at 1052 on 12 August. No visual observation.
13 Aug 2021 Explosion at 0703. No visual observation.
26 Aug 2021 Explosions at 1915, 2049, and 2053. No visual observation.
27 or 28 Aug 2021 Phreatic explosion at 1446 lasted one minute; plume rose 1 km above crater rim.

The Alert Level was raised from 2 to 3 following the renewal of heightened activity on 29 May 2021, when two phreatic explosions were recorded. Additional minor phreatic explosions were detected on 1, 6, 15, and possibly 20 June. A more powerful explosion on 28 June generated a plume of steam, gas, and ash that rose 2 km above the crater rim and ejected material onto its flanks (figures 36 and 37). Part of the plume rose up to 5 km above the crater (7 km altitude), as measured from Turrialba volcano, more than 200 km SE. Residents in Gavilán and Dos Ríos (7 km NNW) and Bromelias (6 km NNE) reported volcanic gas odors and ashfall. Lahars descended multiple drainages on the N flank. OVSICORI-UNA officials were quoted by news organizations (The Costa Rica News and CNN) as stating that the 28 June activity was the most powerful explosion since at least 2011. Intermittent explosions continued through July and August, but weather conditions typically prevented visual observations.

Figure (see Caption) Figure 36. Image of the eruption plume from the 28 June 2021 explosion at Rincón de la Vieja taken at 0542 local time. Courtesy of OVSICORI-UNA.
Figure (see Caption) Figure 37. View of the ash-and-steam plume following the 28 June 2021 explosion at Rincón de la Vieja. Courtesy of OVSICORI-UNA, as published by Periódica Mensaje.

Seismicity was low during the reporting period, with occasional long-period (LP) earthquakes, tornillos, volcano tectonic events, and tremor. In March the frequency and amplitude of background tremor decreased, and remained low in April. After 24 April, short tremors of large amplitude and low frequency (below 1Hz) were recorded until early May, when they decreased in amplitude. During May and June, the number of LP earthquakes was 0-2 events per day. Before the 31 May explosion, tremor was banded (series of "tremor packets" occurring at almost regular intervals) with frequencies below 2 Hz. During the first week of June, tremor frequency was around 2.2 Hz, but decreased toward the end of the month. Tremor on 26 June had a very low amplitude and almost monochromatic frequency around 2.2 Hz. During the four days preceding the major explosion on 28 June, the number of LP earthquakes had increased from 3 to 9 daily events. Tremor had stopped by 3 August, but increased again on 30 August.

Information Contacts: Observatorio Vulcanologico Sismologica de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA), Apartado 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica (URL: http://www.ovsicori.una.ac.cr/, https://www.facebook.com/OVSICORI/); The Costa Rica News (URL: https://thecostaricanews.com/); CNN (URL: https://www.cnn.com/); Periódica Mensaje (URL: https://www.periodicomensaje.com/).


July 2022 (BGVN 47:07) Citation IconCite this Report

Numerous weak explosions from September 2021 through June 2022

Rincón de la Vieja, a remote volcanic complex in NW Costa Rica with an acid lake, exhibits numerous weak phreatic (hydrothermal) explosions along with associated gas-and steam emissions and an occasional plume (BGVN 46:11). This report covers activity during September 2021-June 2022, and is based primarily on weekly bulletins and occasional daily reports from the Observatorio Vulcanologico Sismologica de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA) and satellites.

During September 2021-June 2022, the level of activity continued as before, with frequent weak phreatic explosions every month (table 7), except that no explosions were reported between 21 October and 25 December 2021. Based on OVSICORI-UNA reports, plumes rose no more than 500 m above the crater rim, with the exception of stronger explosions on 25 January, 7 April, and 6 June. Explosions produced lahars on 5 and 13 January. OVSICORI-UNA reports suggested that an explosion on 5 January may have been phreatomagmatic in nature (i.e., interaction between water and magma).

Table 7. Summary of activity at Rincón de la Vieja during September 2021-June 2022. Explosions were weak and phreatic. Courtesy of OVSICORI-UNA (compiled from weekly bulletins and occasional daily reports).

Date Description of Activity
01 Sep 2021 Small explosion. No visual observation.
29 Sep 2021 Possible explosion. No confirmation.
13 Oct 2021 Explosion at 0750 produced a plume that rose 500 m above crater rim and drifted SW.
14-15 Oct 2021 Fumarolic activity inside the crater visible. Possible explosion on 14 Oct.
21 Oct 2021 Explosion.
25 Dec 2021 Small 4-minute explosion at 1015 was recorded. No visually observation. Rain washed deposited acidic sediment downstream in the Pénjamo, Azul, and Azufrada drainages, into the aquatic ecosystem.
28 Dec 2021 Explosions recorded at 1402 and 1630. No visual confirmation.
01 Jan 2022 Small explosion at 1437 produced a plume that rose 50 m above crater rim.
04 Jan 2022 Small explosion at 0431. No visual confirmation.
05 Jan 2022 Multiple phreatic or phreatomagmatic explosions, most were small. A notable explosion at 1833 ejected incandescent material above the crater rim that was visible in webcam images for about 30 seconds. Darkness obscured views of a plume and no ash was visible in satellite images. Residents reported hearing a loud explosion and sounds indicating active lahars; lahars in the Pénjamo and Azufrado rivers reached residential areas within 50 minutes of the event.
10 Jan 2022 Explosion at 1858. No visual confirmation.
13 Jan 2022 Explosion at 0024 lasting two minutes. No visual confirmation. Residents to the N heard explosion and felt vibrations; lahars in the Rio Azul.
15 Jan 2022 Small explosion at 1153.
18 Jan 2022 Small explosion at 1243.
19 Jan 2022 Explosion.
20 Jan 2022 Explosion at 2227 lasting 1-2 minutes. No visual confirmation.
23 Jan 2022 Explosion at 0225 lasting 1-2 minutes. No visual confirmation.
25 Jan 2022 Explosion at 1139 generated plume that rose 500-1,000 m.
26 Jan 2022 Explosion at 2250. No visual confirmation.
27 Jan 2022 Explosions at 0716 and 1050. No visual confirmation.
30 Jan 2022 Explosion at 1308. No visual confirmation.
01 Feb 2022 Explosion at 0447. No visual confirmation.
02 Feb 2022 Explosion at 1853.
20 Feb 2022 Small explosion at 1649.
09 Mar 2022 Moderate explosion.
15 Mar 2022 Explosion at 0956. No visual confirmation.
19 Mar 2022 Explosion at 0405 lasting 1-8 minutes. No visual confirmation.
20 Mar 2022 Explosion at 1402 lasting 1-8 minutes. No visual confirmation.
22 Mar 2022 Explosion at 0350 lasting 1 minute. No visual confirmation.
23 Mar 2022 A series of pulses occurred over a 20-minute period, at 0140, 0146, and 0159, with additional small explosions at 1045, 1339, 1939, and 2244. No visual confirmation although according to Washington VAAC a possible ash emission was visible in satellite images at 1420 drifting W at an altitude of 2.7 km.
25 Mar 2022 Series of small explosions during 0129-0140. No visual confirmation.
26 Mar 2022 Small explosions with possible two separate pulses. No visual confirmation.
27 Mar 2022 Explosion. According to OVSICORI-UNA, 10 explosions were recorded since 15 March.
28-29 Mar 2022 Swarm of long-period earthquakes detected.
04 Apr 2022 Explosion lasting for 1.5 minutes generated plume. No visual confirmation of plume height.
06 Apr 2022 Small explosion at 0136. No visual observation.
07 Apr 2022 Two small explosions at 1141 and 1323. Plumes rose 1 km and 0.5 km, respectively, above crater.
25 Apr 2022 Small explosion. No visual confirmation.
26 Apr 2022 Small explosion at 0156. No visual confirmation.
28 Apr 2022 Small explosion.
05 May 2022 Average of two daily explosions during previous week. The events did not eject material outside of the crater and produced steam plumes that rose no higher than 200 m above the crater rim.
06 May 2022 Explosion at 1650 generated steam plume that rose 500 m.
07 May 2022 Several explosions and steam emissions.
08 May 2022 Several steam emissions.
13 May 2022 Small explosions (23) recorded during previous week. Explosions at 2328 on 10 May and 0700 on 11 May. No visual confirmation.
18 May 2022 Explosion at 1343 generated a steam-and-gas plume that rose 200 m above crater rim.
19 May 2022 Explosion at 1710 generated a gas-and-steam plume that rose 100 m above summit.
14-20 May 2022 At least six small explosions.
21 May 2022 Explosions at 0251 and 0443.
25-28 May 2022 Several small explosions. An explosion at 1730 on 25 May produced minor ashfall on local plants located on the upper flanks. Weather conditions often prevented views of plumes.
04 Jun 2022 Possible minor emission. No visual confirmation.
06 Jun 2022 Explosion at 0804 generated steam plume that rose about 3 km above the summit. Sulfur dioxide from the plume was detected by an instrument located to the S. Another explosion at 1204, but no visual confirmation.
04-10 Jun 2022 25 explosions.
11-15 Jun 2022 19 explosions.
27 Jun 2022 Explosion.

Information Contacts: Observatorio Vulcanologico Sismologica de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA), Apartado 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica (URL: http://www.ovsicori.una.ac.cr/, https://www.facebook.com/OVSICORI/); Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), Satellite Analysis Branch (SAB), NOAA/NESDIS OSPO, NOAA Science Center Room 401, 5200 Auth Rd, Camp Springs, MD 20746, USA (URL: www.ospo.noaa.gov/Products/atmosphere/vaac, archive at: http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/VAAC/archive.html).


January 2023 (BGVN 48:01) Citation IconCite this Report

Continuing frequent weak phreatic explosions during July-December 2022

Rincón de la Vieja is a volcanic complex in Costa Rica with a hot, convecting acid lake that exhibits frequent weak phreatic explosions, gas-and-steam emissions, and occasional elevated sulfur dioxide levels (BGVN 45:10, 46:03, 46:11). This report covers activity during July-December 2022 and is based on weekly bulletins and occasional daily reports from the Observatorio Vulcanologico Sismologica de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA).

During this period, OVSICORI-UNA reported that eruptive activity continued similar to recent years, with weak phreatic explosions and gas-and-steam emissions generating plumes above the lake (table 8). The sulfur dioxide levels were generally stable at 30-50 metric tons/day (t/d) during July-October, with isolated peaks up to 600 t/d. In early November, isolated peaks of 750 t/d were measured, and thereafter levels varied widely. On 18 November the level peaked at 1,500 t/d. Toward the end of December, the level was about 250 t/d.

Table 8. Summary of activity at Rincón de la Vieja during July-December 2022. Some eruptions that failed to eject lake water and sediments outside the crater were not considered by OVSICORI-UNA as having an explosive character, so eruptive activity terminology is variable. Explosions were weak and phreatic. Courtesy of OVSICORI-UNA (compiled from weekly bulletins and occasional daily reports).

Date Time Description of Activity
05 Aug 2022 -- Eruption with small emissions.
15 Aug 2022 -- Submarine explosion with no surface manifestation. Several other small eruptions occurred during mid-August.
16 Aug 2022 -- Two explosions.
22 Aug 2022 -- Eruption.
01 Sep 2022 1900 Eruption.
08 Sep 2022 1510 Explosion produced a gas-and-steam plume that rose 500 m above crater rim.
10 Sep 2022 0640 Explosion. Continuous gas-and-steam plumes.
14 Sep 2022 0147 Explosion produced a gas-and-steam plume that rose 600 m above the crater rim.
Mid-Sep 2022 -- Eruptions, with gas-and-steam plumes rising to about 800 m above crater rim.
17 Sep 2022 0900 Possible explosion(s), though not visually confirmed. Possible emission record at 0219.
03 Oct 2022 1527 Explosion.
04 Oct 2022 1923 Explosion lasting two minutes but not visually observed due to darkness and weather conditions.
05 Oct 2022 -- Eruption.
08 Oct 2022 1647 Small gas-and steam emissions.
09 Oct 2022 0940 Small gas-and steam emissions.
20 Oct 2022 0724 Eruption.
23 Oct 2022 -- Phreatic eruption.
19-25 Nov 2022 -- Five explosions during week.
25 Nov 2022 1432 Explosion sent a steam-rich plume 2 km above crater rim that drifted SW. Sulfur dioxide anomaly was registered at a station W of the crater.
25-30 Nov 2022 -- Twelve phreatic eruptions (including the 25 Nov indicated above, which was the most energetic).
Early Dec 2022 -- Several explosions, including one on 7 Dec.
14 Dec 2022 0828 Explosion; steam plume 500 m above the crater rim.
15 Dec 2022 1433 Explosion.
16 Dec 2022 0314, 2042 Explosions.
17 Dec 2022 1958 Explosion.
20 Dec 2022 0119 Explosion; cloudy weather prevented visual confirmation.

Information Contacts: Observatorio Vulcanologico Sismologica de Costa Rica-Universidad Nacional (OVSICORI-UNA), Apartado 86-3000, Heredia, Costa Rica (URL: http://www.ovsicori.una.ac.cr/, https://www.facebook.com/OVSICORI/).

This compilation of synonyms and subsidiary features may not be comprehensive. Features are organized into four major categories: Cones, Craters, Domes, and Thermal Features. Synonyms of features appear indented below the primary name. In some cases additional feature type, elevation, or location details are provided.

Eruptive History

There is data available for 30 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.

2021 Jun 28 - 2024 Mar 1 (continuing) Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
2021 Jun 28 - 2024 Mar 1 (continuing) Evidence from Observations: Reported
 At 0542 on 28 June 2021 an eruption produced a steam-and-ash plume that rose 2 km above the crater rim and ejected material onto the flanks.

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
2021 Jun 28    - - - - Explosion
2021 Jun 28    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index) VEI 2

2020 Jan 30 - 2020 Dec 13 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
2020 Jan 30 - 2020 Dec 13 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 1 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
2020 May 28    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index) Ash plume 3 km above the crater

2018 Jul 28 - 2019 Jun 11 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
2018 Jul 28 - 2019 Jun 11 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 1 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

2017 May 23 - 2018 Mar 15 ± 3 days Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Crater lake
2017 May 23 - 2018 Mar 15 ± 3 days Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 1 Events for Episode 1 at Crater lake

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
2017 Oct 3    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

2015 Jun 16 - 2016 May 1 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Phreatic Episode Crater lake
2015 Jun 16 - 2015 Nov 10 (in or before) Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 21 Events for Episode 1 at Crater lake

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
2015 Jun 16    - - - - Seismicity (tremor) At 2001 a phreatic explosion that was preceded by LP and "tornillo" type seismic signals was recorded.
2015 Jun 16    - - - - Explosion At 2001 a phreatic explosion that was preceded by LP and "tornillo" type seismic signals was recorded.
2015 Jun 16    - - - - Phreatic activity At 2001 a phreatic explosion that was preceded by LP and "tornillo" type seismic signals was recorded.
2015 Jun 18    - - - - Seismicity (tremor) At 1729 a phreatic explosion that was preceded by LP and "tornillo" type seismic signals was recorded.
2015 Jun 18    - - - - Explosion At 1729 a phreatic explosion that was preceded by LP and "tornillo" type seismic signals was recorded.
2015 Jun 18    - - - - Phreatic activity At 1729 a phreatic explosion that was preceded by LP and "tornillo" type seismic signals was recorded.
2015 Aug 21    - - - - Seismicity (volcanic) A small phreatic eruption that was barely distinguishable from ambient noise was recorded by OSIVAM-ICE and OVSICORI-UNA seismographs at 0313 local time and lasted for about 80 seconds.
2015 Aug 21    - - - - Explosion A small phreatic eruption that was barely distinguishable from ambient noise was recorded by OSIVAM-ICE and OVSICORI-UNA seismographs at 0313 local time and lasted for about 80 seconds.
2015 Aug 21    - - - - Phreatic activity A small phreatic eruption that was barely distinguishable from ambient noise was recorded by OSIVAM-ICE and OVSICORI-UNA seismographs at 0313 local time and lasted for about 80 seconds.
2015 Sep 20
(in or after)
2015 Nov 10
(in or before)
Seismicity (volcanic) OVSICORI-UNA reported that the seismic station located 1.8 km from Rincón de la Vieja recorded increased activity between late September and early November 2015.
2015 Oct 1    - - - - Seismicity (volcanic) A long-period (LP) signal was recorded with a duration of 180 seconds possibly associated with a moderate exhalation of gas or vapor and a small phreatic eruption in the active crater.
2015 Oct 1    - - - - Phreatic activity A long-period (LP) signal was recorded with a duration of 180 seconds possibly associated with a moderate exhalation of gas or vapor and a small phreatic eruption in the active crater.
2015 Oct 4    - - - - Phreatic activity During a visit on 8 October, scientists observed fresh sediments and altered rock fragments around the eastern edge of the crater likely from a moderate eruption that occurred at 0624 on 4 October. Vigorous convection cells were also observed in the milky-gray lake.
2015 Oct 16    - - - - Seismicity (volcanic) The most significant seismic activity for October lasted for seven hours and was probably accompanied by a moderate phreatic eruption. In an aerial view on 17 October freshly ejected material was observed on the N flank.
2015 Oct 16    - - - - Phreatic activity The most significant seismic activity for October lasted for seven hours and was probably accompanied by a moderate phreatic eruption. In an aerial view on 17 October freshly ejected material was observed on the N flank.
2015 Oct 17 2015 Oct 18 Seismicity (volcanic) Seismic signals indicated that 28 events occurred as a series of explosions, culminating with a major eruption at 0059 on 18 October.
2015 Oct 17 2015 Oct 18 Explosion Seismic signals indicated that 28 events occurred as a series of explosions, culminating with a major eruption at 0059 on 18 October.
2015 Oct 17 2015 Oct 18 Phreatic activity Seismic signals indicated that 28 events occurred as a series of explosions, culminating with a major eruption at 0059 on 18 October.
2015 Oct 18    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index) VEI 1
2015 Oct 21    - - - - Explosion This was the largest of at least 10 small to moderate phreatic eruptions in October 2015.
2015 Oct 21    - - - - Phreatic activity This was the largest of at least 10 small to moderate phreatic eruptions in October 2015. The eruptions ejected materials from the lake bottom towards the north side of the crater. Heavy rains washed these materials down river drainages.
Episode 2 | Eruption Episode Crater Lake
2016 Feb 9 - 2016 May 1 Evidence from Observations: Seismicity

List of 10 Events for Episode 2 at Crater Lake

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
2016 Feb 9 2016 Mar 9 Seismicity (volcanic) During February-15 March both the number of eruptive events and the energy of those events increased significantly; the data suggested that the events were phreatic. The two highest-energy events occurred at 0912 on 9 February and at 1354 on 9 March.
2016 Mar 3    - - - - Explosion During fieldwork volcanologists heard three phreatic explosions, at 1204, 1209, and 1318; the third one was the strongest and lasted just over a minute. All three were followed by a strong sulfur dioxide odor.
2016 Mar 3
(in or before)
   - - - - Phreatic activity During fieldwork on 3 March, volcanologists found sediment deposits from the crater lake in an area about 200 m from the active crater, from phreatic activity and possibly strong westward-blowing winds.
2016 Mar 3    - - - - Phreatic activity During fieldwork volcanologists heard three phreatic explosions, at 1204, 1209, and 1318; the third one was the strongest and lasted just over a minute. All three were followed by a strong sulfur dioxide odor.
2016 Mar 8
(in or before)
   - - - - Ashfall On 8 March volcanologists noted ash deposits, from recent weeks, as far as about 120 m from the crater rim covering an estimated area of 0.02 square kilometers.
2016 Mar 9 2016 Mar 10 Ash Plume Photos from area residents of explosions showed ash-and-steam plumes rising as high as 850 m above the crater.
2016 Mar 9    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index) VEI 1
2016 May 1    - - - - Seismicity (volcanic) OVSICORI-UNA reported that a moderate hydrothermal explosion occurred at 1437 in Rincón de la Vieja's crater lake. The seismic network recorded the explosion for 11 minutes.
2016 May 1    - - - - Explosion OVSICORI-UNA reported that a moderate hydrothermal explosion occurred at 1437 in Rincón de la Vieja's crater lake. The seismic network recorded the explosion for 11 minutes.
2016 May 1    - - - - Phreatic activity OVSICORI-UNA reported that a moderate hydrothermal explosion occurred at 1437 in Rincón de la Vieja's crater lake. The seismic network recorded the explosion for 11 minutes.

2014 Sep 17 - 2014 Oct 24 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Phreatic Episode Crater lake
2014 Sep 17 - 2014 Oct 24 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 7 Events for Episode 1 at Crater lake

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
2014 Sep 17    - - - - Explosion OVSICORI-UNA reported that at 1237 a seismic signal indicating a phreatic explosion was detected by a station about 5 km S of the volcano. A second phreatic explosion, detected at 2048 and lasting three minutes, was of a larger magnitude and a longer duration that the first explosion.
2014 Sep 17    - - - - Phreatic activity OVSICORI-UNA reported that at 1237 a seismic signal indicating a phreatic explosion was detected by a station about 5 km S of the volcano. A second phreatic explosion, detected at 2048 and lasting three minutes, was of a larger magnitude and a longer duration that the first explosion.
2014 Sep 17    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index) VEI 1
2014 Sep 19 2014 Sep 20 Explosion Phreatic explosions were also detected at 1825 on 19 September and at 0304, 0439, and 0634 on 20 September. Residents on the N flank heard the event on 19 September and saw the explosion at 0634 on 20 September.
2014 Sep 19 2014 Sep 20 Phreatic activity Phreatic explosions were also detected at 1825 on 19 September and at 0304, 0439, and 0634 on 20 September. Residents on the N flank heard the event on 19 September and saw the explosion at 0634 on 20 September.
2014 Oct 24    - - - - Explosion A small phreatic eruption was recorded.
2014 Oct 24    - - - - Phreatic activity A small phreatic eruption was recorded.

2012 Oct 17 - 2012 Oct 17 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Phreatic Episode Crater lake
2012 Oct 17 - 2012 Oct 17 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1 at Crater lake

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
2012 Oct 1
(in or after)
2012 Oct 31
(in or before)
Seismicity (tremor) Seismicity was dominated by tremors of very low amplitude and low frequency.
2012 Oct 17    - - - - Phreatic activity OVSICORI-UNA reported one small phreatic eruption was recorded.
2012 Oct 17    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index) VEI 1

2012 Feb 19 - 2012 Apr 14 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Crater lake
2012 Feb 19 - 2012 Apr 14 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 10 Events for Episode 1 at Crater lake

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
2012 Feb 19 2012 Feb 20 Seismicity (volcanic) OVSICORI-UNA reported that seismic data revealed two eruptions.
2012 Feb 19    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index) VEI 1
2012 Feb 23    - - - - Explosion The Red Sismologica Nacional (RSN) reported two small eruptions when explosions were heard in Guachipelin (11 km SW) between 0400 and 0430, although these events were not recorded seismically.
2012 Feb 23    - - - - Audible Sounds The Red Sismologica Nacional (RSN) reported two small eruptions when explosions were heard in Guachipelin (11 km SW) between 0400 and 0430, although these events were not recorded seismically.
2012 Apr 14    - - - - Seismicity (volcanic) An eruption occurred at 1400 which was clearly recorded by the nearby seismic equipment.
2012 Apr 14    - - - - Explosion An explosion generated a column of vapor and sediments visible from Buenos Aires and Aguas Claras de Upala, ~7 km N of the crater.
2012 Apr 14    - - - - Phreatic activity OVSICORI-UNA reported that a small phreatic eruption occurred within and around the hot acidic lake of Rincon de la Vieja at 1400. The explosion generated a column of vapor and sediments visible from Buenos Aires and Aguas Claras de Upala, ~7 km N of the crater.
2012 Apr 14    - - - - Audible Sounds An explosion was heard that generated a column of vapor and sediments visible from Buenos Aires and Aguas Claras de Upala, ~7 km N of the crater.
2012 Apr 14    - - - - Observation Observers from nearby communities N of the volcano reported some sediment deposition along the outer N flanks of the main active crater and a white steam plume rising to a considerable height above the crater.
2012 May 9    - - - - Seismicity (volcanic) A seismic event was not associated with any unusual surface activity and was thought by OVSICORI-UNA scientists to be possibly associated with fluid movement inside the volcano.

2011 Aug 22 - 2011 Sep 27 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Crater lake
2011 Aug 22 - 2011 Sep 27 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 12 Events for Episode 1 at Crater lake

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
2011 Aug 22    - - - - Phreatic activity A local guide reported seeing a column of dark material erupt 5 m high above the lake.
2011 Sep 9    - - - - Explosion An eruption was observed by a local guide; the fine sediment from that explosion was deposited on the N rim of the crater.
2011 Sep 9    - - - - Phreatic activity An eruption was observed by a local guide; the fine sediment from that explosion was deposited on the N rim of the crater.
2011 Sep 16    - - - - Phreatic activity A well-documented event ejected sediment that covered sections of the upper N walls. Some of the material was washed down the flanks and caused changes in water quality along the main creeks and major rivers up to 18 km away from the source.
2011 Sep 16    - - - - Ash Plume An ash plume rose above the crater and deposited material 200 m downhill from the N edge of the crater.
2011 Sep 16    - - - - Audible Sounds An eruption was heard by local guides around 1400.
2011 Sep 16    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index) VEI 1
2011 Sep 17    - - - - Fauna Kill Dead fish were noted in the town of Buenos Aires de Upala (7.5 km N) and Birmania de Upala (18 km NNE).
2011 Sep 22    - - - - Explosion
2011 Sep 23    - - - - Ashfall On the morning of 23 September, residents of Dos Rios de Upala (10 km NW) observed light gray ash on the northern edge of the crater from an eruption during the previous night.
2011 Sep 27    - - - - Phreatic activity Scientists observed a small eruption from a cell at the center of the lake that rose about 1 m.
2011 Sep 27
(in or before)
   - - - - Ashfall Streams flowing north from the crater contained deposits up to 15 cm thick of fresh volcaniclastic sediment from the eruptions at least 2 km away. A thin layer of ash was also observed on nearby vegetation.

1998 Feb 15 - 1998 Sep 16 ± 15 days Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1998 Feb 15 - 1998 Sep 16 ± 15 days Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 6 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Seismicity (tremor)
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Earthquakes (undefined)
   - - - -    - - - - Lahar or Mudflow
1998 Feb 15    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1995 Nov 6 - 1995 Nov 13 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1995 Nov 6 - 1995 Nov 13 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 10 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Seismicity (tremor)
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Pyroclastic flow
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Bombs
   - - - -    - - - - Blocks
   - - - -    - - - - Earthquakes (undefined) Before.
   - - - -    - - - - Lahar or Mudflow
   - - - -    - - - - Evacuations
1995 Nov 6    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1991 May 7 - 1992 Sep 16 ± 15 days Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1991 May 7 - 1992 Sep 16 ± 15 days Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 7 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Earthquakes (undefined) Before.
   - - - -    - - - - Earthquakes (undefined)
   - - - -    - - - - Lahar or Mudflow
   - - - -    - - - - Property Damage
1991 May 7    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1987 Apr 1 - 1987 Apr 1 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1987 Apr 1 - 1987 Apr 1 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 4 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Lahar or Mudflow
   - - - -    - - - - Property Damage
1987 Apr 1    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1986 Dec 31 - 1986 Dec 31 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1986 Dec 31 - 1986 Dec 31 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Blocks
1986 Dec 31    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1985 Sep 16 ± 15 days - 1986 Apr 16 ± 15 days Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1985 Sep 16 ± 15 days - 1986 Apr 16 ± 15 days Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 6 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Seismicity (tremor)
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Blocks
   - - - -    - - - - Earthquakes (undefined)
1985 Sep    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1984 Mar 31 - 1984 Apr 16 ± 15 days Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1984 Mar 31 - 1984 Apr 16 ± 15 days Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 7 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatomagmatic
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Blocks
   - - - -    - - - - Lahar or Mudflow
1984 Mar 31    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1983 Feb 6 - 1983 Feb 21 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1983 Feb 6 - 1983 Feb 21 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 9 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatomagmatic
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Lapilli
   - - - -    - - - - Bombs
   - - - -    - - - - Lahar or Mudflow
   - - - -    - - - - Fauna Kill Aquatic.
1983 Feb 6    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1970 Aug 14 - 1970 Aug 15 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 1

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1970 Aug 14 - 1970 Aug 15 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1970 Aug 14    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1969 Sep 20 - 1969 Oct 16 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1969 Sep 20 - 1969 Oct 16 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1969 Sep 20    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1969 Apr 22 - 1969 May 16 ± 15 days Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1969 Apr 22 - 1969 May 16 ± 15 days Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1969 Apr 22    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1966 Nov 6 (?) - 1967 Dec 16 ± 15 days Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1966 Nov 6 (?) - 1967 Dec 16 ± 15 days Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 11 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity weak or small
   - - - -    - - - - Pyroclastic flow
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Earthquakes (undefined)
   - - - -    - - - - Fauna Kill Aquatic.
   - - - -    - - - - Property Damage
   - - - -    - - - - Evacuations
1966 Nov 6
(?)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)
1967 Jan 1    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)
1967 Jun 10    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1922 Apr 11 (in or before) - 1922 Jun 4 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2 (?)

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1922 Apr 11 (in or before) - 1922 Jun 4 Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 4 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Blocks
1922 Apr 11
(in or before)
   - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

[ 1917 ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1917 - Unknown Evidence from Unknown

List of 1 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity Uncertain

1912 Jun 14 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 3

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1912 Jun 14 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
1912 Jun 14    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

[ 1902 Jun 22 ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1902 Jun 22 - Unknown Evidence from Unknown

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity Uncertain
1902 Jun 22    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1854 - 1863 Aug Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1854 - 1863 Aug Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 6 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Scoria
1854    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)
1860    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)
1863 Aug    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1853 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1853 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Flames
1853    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

[ 1851 ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1851 - Unknown Evidence from Unknown

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity Uncertain
   - - - -    - - - - Volcanic "smoke"
   - - - -    - - - - Fumarolic or Solfataric Uncertain

1849 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Volcano Uncertain: more likely Rincón de la Vieja than Orosí
1849 - Unknown Evidence from Unknown

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at Volcano Uncertain: more likely Rincón de la Vieja than Orosí

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1849    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1844 May Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Volcano Uncertain: more likely Rincón de la Vieja than Orosí
1844 May - Unknown Evidence from Unknown

List of 2 Events for Episode 1 at Volcano Uncertain: more likely Rincón de la Vieja than Orosí

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
1844 May    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

1765 Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 2 (?)

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1765 - Unknown Evidence from Observations: Reported

List of 2 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity Uncertain
1765    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)

[ 1529 ] Uncertain Eruption

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
1529 - Unknown Evidence from Unknown

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Phreatic activity Uncertain
   - - - -    - - - - Volcanic "smoke"
   - - - -    - - - - Fumarolic or Solfataric Uncertain

0430 ± 100 years Confirmed Eruption  

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode
0430 ± 100 years - Unknown Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated)

List of 3 Events for Episode 1

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Pyroclastic flow
   - - - -    - - - - Scoria

1820 BCE ± 150 years Confirmed Eruption Max VEI: 4

Episode 1 | Eruption Episode Río Blanco tephra
1820 BCE ± 150 years - Unknown Evidence from Isotopic: 14C (calibrated)

List of 6 Events for Episode 1 at Río Blanco tephra

Start Date End Date Event Type Event Remarks
   - - - -    - - - - Explosion
   - - - -    - - - - Pyroclastic flow
   - - - -    - - - - Ash
   - - - -    - - - - Bombs
   - - - -    - - - - Pumice
1820 BCE ± 150 years    - - - - VEI (Explosivity Index)
Deformation History

There is no Deformation History data available for Rincón de la Vieja.

Emission History

There is no Emissions History data available for Rincón de la Vieja.

Photo Gallery

The Rincón de la Vieja SW flank contains a broad area almost entirely devoid of vegetation resulting from eruptions and acid rain. Steady trade winds from the NNE distribute acidic gases from Cráter Activo to the SW.

Photo by William Melson, 1986 (Smithsonian Institution).
An ash plume rises above Rincón de la Vieja on 4 June 1922. No further eruptive activity was recorded until 1966, when eruptions began occurring more frequently.

Photo by José Tristan, 1922 (courtesy of Jorge Barquero).
Laguna de Fria (center) is seen here from the west, along a ridge near Cráter Activo. It formed when meteoric water accumulated in a depression between overlapping cones of the Rincón de la Vieja complex. Rincón de la Vieja cone is to the upper right.

Photo by Cindy Stine, 1989 (U.S. Geological Survey).
The walls of Cráter Activo expose thick sequences of oxidized and hydrothermally altered pyroclastic deposits and lighter lava flows. Many eruptions from Active Crater have originated from vents beneath the acidic crater lake.

Photo by Guillermo Alvarado (Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad).
Rincón de la Vieja is seen here across the coastal plain from the west. The volcanic massif is the largest in NW Costa Rica with an estimated volume of 130 km3. The Liberia Tuff originated from here during the early Pleistocene and covered an area of 3,500-4,000 km2.

Photo by Guillermo Alvarado (Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad).
The 700-m-wide Cráter Activo contains an acidic lake that is periodically partially ejected by explosive eruptions and therefore varies in depth. Trade winds from the ENE distribute acidic gas plumes to the SW, preventing vegetation growth.

Photo by Guillermo Alvarado (Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad).
Deposits of the Liberia Tuff are exposed in gullies SW of Rincon de la Vieja. The ignimbrite was emplaced about 1.6 million years ago and covered an area of 3,500-4,000 km2. Eruption of the 25 km3 ignimbrite was associated with formation of the 15-km-wide Guachipelín caldera, inside which the modern Rincón de la Vieja massif was constructed.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1998 (Smithsonian Institution).
Cerro San Roque (left), Cerro Gongora (center), and Cerro Cañas Dulces (right) lava domes, seen here from the west along the Pan-American highway, are just outside the Guachipelín caldera. The domes formed prior to the eruption of the Liberia Tuff and formation of the caldera about 1.6 million years ago.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1998 (Smithsonian Institution).
Gas emissions rise from vents in the Aguas Termales thermal area on the southern flank of Rincón de la Vieja volcano. A popular trail in Rincón de la Vieja National Park goes around the mud pools and fumaroles of the geothermal area.

Photo by Paul Kimberly, 1988 (Smithsonian Institution).
Emissions rise from mud pools at the Aguas Termales thermal area, one of several at the lower southern flank of the Rincón de la Vieja massif in the national park of the same name.

Photo by Paul Kimberly, 1998 (Smithsonian Institution).
The Aguas Termales geothermal field on the lower southern flank of Rincón de la Vieja volcano contains mud pools like this one. Several geothermal areas occur along a NW trend at the base of the volcano. Soil mercury studies delineate a fault parallel to the volcanic front that connects the geothermal sites.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1998 (Smithsonian Institution).
This photo from the E overlooks the Rincón de la Vieja summit cone complex in the Rincón de la Vieja National Park. The turquoise-colored lake is within the Cráter Activo and the darker Laguna Fria is to the lower left. The arcuate, forested ridge to the lower left is the rim of Rincón de la Vieja cone itself. Erosional gullies have formed within tephra deposits across the Cráter Activo and the Von Seebach cone (upper left) flanks.

Photo by Federico Chavarria Kopper, 1995 (courtesy of Eduardo Malavassi, OVSICORI-UNA).
The crater lake of the Cráter Activo of Rincón de la Vieja is seen here on 2 April 1998 from its eastern rim during the 1998 eruption. The eruption began with phreatic explosions during 15-18 February that produced steam plumes up to 2 km above the crater lake, and scorched vegetation on the NE side of the crater. On 16 February a lahar traveled around 12 km down the Penjamo and Azul rivers. Twenty explosions were recognized from seismic records, and additional explosions were recorded in May, June, and September.

Photo by José Enrique Valverde Sanábria, 1998 (courtesy of Eduardo Malavassi, OVSICORI-UNA).
A steam plume rises from Cráter Activo of Rincón de la Vieja, seen here from the south with an acidic crater lake filling the innermost of two nested craters. Frequent eruptions and acid rain have kept the flanks of the cone unvegetated. Remobilization of fresh deposits has produced lahars down the Quebrada Azufrosa to the upper right.

Photo by Federico Chavarria Kopper, 1999.
Part of the complex summit region of Rincón de la Vieja, the largest volcano in NW Costa Rica, is seen here from the north. Steam rises from the lake-filled Cráter Activo to the left, ENE of the Von Seebach cone (right). Laguna Fria (far-left) is not a crater lake, but a freshwater lake that formed between overlapping cones of the summit complex, which extends east and west beyond this area. Frequent eruptions from Cráter Activo have left surrounding terrain unvegetated.

Photo by Federico Chavarria Kopper, 1999.
This aerial photo from the north overlooks the Rincón de la Vieja summit cone complex in NW Costa Rica. A gas plume rises from the acidic Cráter Activo lake, and erosional gullies have formed across the flanks. The darker Laguna Fria beyond the Cráter Activo is a non-volcanic lake formed between the vegetated Rincón de la Vieja crater (far-left) and the ridge extending to Santa María to the upper left of the photo.

Photo by Federico Chavarria Kopper, 1996.
This view from the N looks into the acidic Cráter Activo lake with layered pyroclastic deposits exposed in the SW crater wall. The crater rim of the forested Rincón de la Vieja cone is to the upper left, with the non-volcanic Jilgueros lake at the top.

Photo by Eliecer Duarte (OVSICORI-UNA).
The flanks of Von Seebach cone (upper right) are a result of tephra and acidic gases blown downwind from the lake-filled Cráter Activo (left). Steady trade winds from the NNE distribute gas from Active Crater to the SW, creating the "Dead Zone" that extends down the SW flanks to the upper right.

Photo by Eliecer Duarte (OVSICORI-UNA).
This eroded crater lies near the western margin of Rincón de la Vieja, seen here from the SE. This roughly 1-km-wide crater is about 2 km W of Cráter Activo. On the lower left flank, steep erosional gullies have formed through erosion.

Photo by Eliecer Duarte (OVSICORI-UNA).
The flanks surrounding the Rincón de la Vieja Cráter Activo are shown in this aerial view from the NE. Los Jilgueros lake is in the middle and the large forested inactive crater behind it and to the left.

Photo by Eliecer Duarte (OVSICORI-UNA).
GVP Map Holdings

The maps shown below have been scanned from the GVP map archives and include the volcano on this page. Clicking on the small images will load the full 300 dpi map. Very small-scale maps (such as world maps) are not included. The maps database originated over 30 years ago, but was only recently updated and connected to our main database. We welcome users to tell us if they see incorrect information or other problems with the maps; please use the Contact GVP link at the bottom of the page to send us email.

Smithsonian Sample Collections Database

The following 50 samples associated with this volcano can be found in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences collections, and may be availble for research (contact the Rock and Ore Collections Manager). Catalog number links will open a window with more information.

Catalog Number Sample Description Lava Source Collection Date
NMNH 116066-34 Pumice -- --
NMNH 116066-35 Pumice -- --
NMNH 116066-350 Tephra -- --
NMNH 116066-351 Tephra -- --
NMNH 116066-352 Tephra -- --
NMNH 116066-353 Tephra -- --
NMNH 116066-354 Tephra -- --
NMNH 116066-355 Tephra -- --
NMNH 116066-356 Volcanic Debris -- --
NMNH 116066-359 Pumice -- --
NMNH 116066-361 Tephra -- --
NMNH 116066-362 Tephra -- --
NMNH 116066-363 Tephra -- --
NMNH 116066-364 Tephra -- --
NMNH 116066-365 Tephra -- --
NMNH 116066-366 Tephra -- --
NMNH 116066-367 Tephra -- --
NMNH 116066-368 Tephra -- --
NMNH 116066-369 Tephra -- --
NMNH 116066-38 Amber -- --
NMNH 116066-39 Pumice -- --
NMNH 116066-43 Tephra -- --
NMNH 116066-45 Pumice -- --
NMNH 116066-46 Tephra -- --
NMNH 116066-47 Tephra -- --
NMNH 116066-49 Tephra -- --
NMNH 116066-51 Diatomite -- --
NMNH 116066-53 Opal -- --
NMNH 116066-55 Tephra -- --
NMNH 116066-56 Lapilli -- --
NMNH 116066-58 Tephra -- --
NMNH 116066-59 Tephra -- --
NMNH 116066-60 Tephra -- --
NMNH 116066-61 Tephra -- --
NMNH 116066-62 Tephra -- --
NMNH 116066-63 Tephra -- --
NMNH 116066-65 Tephra -- --
NMNH 116066-67 Tephra -- --
NMNH 116066-69 Tephra -- --
NMNH 116066-70 Tephra -- --
NMNH 116066-71 Tephra -- --
NMNH 116066-72 Ignimbrite -- --
NMNH 116066-79 Tephra -- --
NMNH 116066-83 Tephra -- --
NMNH 116066-86 Pumice -- --
NMNH 116066-88 Tephra -- --
NMNH 116066-89 Tephra -- --
NMNH 116066-90 Pumice -- --
NMNH 116066-91 Tephra -- --
NMNH 116066-92 Pumice -- --
External Sites