A series of powerful and deadly explosions on 29 July 1968 initiated a new eruptive period at Arenal volcano. This November 1968 photo shows the destruction to vegetation within a broad, devastated area on the western flank. Ballistic ejecta stripped trees of leaves to distances as far as 5 km west of the summit.

Photo by William Melson, 1968 (Smithsonian Institution)

This image is made available under the Public Domain Dedication CC0 license, but proper attribution is appreciated.

Galleries: Ballistic Ejecta

Keywords: environmental impact | vegetation | deposit | ballistic ejecta | ejecta

Arenal