Volcanes, Erupciones y Terremotos en la Costa Rica

Volcanoes of Costa Rica

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Erupciones volcánicas significativas: Costa Rica

In historic times, at least 6 volcanoes have been active en la Costa Rica, including Poas, Turrialba y Rincón de la Vieja volcanoes. A total of 116 eruptions have been witnessed and documented since 1723.
The table below lists the most recent volcanic eruptions, significant eruptive episodes or related events en la Costa Rica since around 2010.

Fecha	Volcán	VEI	Región	Fallecidos	Daños
2021 jun 28 - en curso	Rincón de la Vieja	2	Costa Rica		desconocido
2023 dic 1 - 2024 may 5	Poas	1	Costa Rica		desconocido
2023 ago 2 - ago 11	Poas	1	Costa Rica		desconocido
2022 jul 17	Turrialba	1	Costa Rica		desconocido
2022 abr 6	Poas Crater lake - Fumarola Naranja	1	Costa Rica		desconocido
2021 nov 3 - 2022 feb 28	Turrialba	1	Costa Rica		desconocido
2021 jun 13 - jul 23	Turrialba	1	Costa Rica		desconocido
2020 ene 30 - dic 13	Rincón de la Vieja	2	Costa Rica		desconocido
2020 jun 18 - ago 24	Turrialba	1	Costa Rica		desconocido
2015 mar 8 - 2019 dic 7	Turrialba Cráter Central, Cráter Oeste	3	Costa Rica		desconocido
2019 feb 7 - sep 30	Poas	2	Costa Rica		desconocido
2018 jul 28 - 2019 jun 11	Rincón de la Vieja	1	Costa Rica		desconocido
2017 may 23 - 2018 mar 15 ±3 d.	Rincón de la Vieja Crater lake	1	Costa Rica		desconocido
2017 abr 12 - nov 6	Poas Laguna Caliente Crater	1	Costa Rica		desconocido
2016 jun 5 - ago 16	Poas Lake in summit crater	1	Costa Rica		desconocido
2015 jun 16 - 2016 may 1	Rincón de la Vieja Crater lake	1	Costa Rica		desconocido
2014 oct 29 - dic 8	Turrialba West Crater	2	Costa Rica		desconocido
2014 sep 17 - oct 24	Rincón de la Vieja Crater lake	1	Costa Rica		desconocido
2009 nov 16 ±15 d. - 2014 oct 13	Poas	1	Costa Rica		desconocido
2013 may 21 - jun 4	Turrialba West Crater	1	Costa Rica		desconocido
2012 oct 17	Rincón de la Vieja Crater lake	1	Costa Rica		desconocido
2012 feb 19 - abr 14	Rincón de la Vieja Crater lake	1	Costa Rica		desconocido
2012 ene 12 - ene 18	Turrialba West Crater (SE flank)	2	Costa Rica		desconocido
2011 ago 22 - sep 27	Rincón de la Vieja Crater lake	1	Costa Rica		desconocido
2011 ene 14	Turrialba West Crater	1	Costa Rica		desconocido
1968 jul 29 - 2010 dic 16 ±15 d.	Arenal W flank & summit	3	Costa Rica		desconocido
2010 ene 5 - mar 7 ?	Turrialba SW crater	2	Costa Rica		desconocido
2000 ago 23 (erupción 1968 jul 29 - 2010 dic 16 ±15 d.)	Arenal	3	Costa Rica	2	desconocido	Información
2000 ago 23: A guide and two tourists were engulfed in a pyroclastic flow 2.3 km from the summit; the guide died that night, and one of the tourists, a young girl, died of burns about two weeks later. (reference #9675) Cited references #9675 Siebert, Lee, Tom Simkin, Paul Kimberly (2010): Fatalities & Evacuations, Volcanoes of the World, Third Edition, Geoscience Press, Inc., University of California Press, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., p. 329-347. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K
1968 jul 29 (erupción 1968 jul 29 - 2010 dic 16 ±15 d.)	Arenal	3	Costa Rica	80	ligero	Información
1968 jul 29: 80 (+/-5) killed in first 3 days; many by pyroclastic flows, but perhaps half by ballistic blocks. Village of Tabacon nearly obliterated by impact craters. One source reports 78 killed in pyroclastic flows. Other sources give total ranging from 76 to > 100. (Ref #1412) An explosion with burning clouds and lava flows made Pueblo Nuevo disappear and left about 200 victims. It affected the agricultural areas of Tilaran and San Carlos. Estimated damage losses of 100 million colones. (Ref #13481) NOTE: It is unclear if the amount of damages reflects the entire eruptive period and if the value of the colon is based in 1968 or 1989. Cited references #1412 Simkin, Tom, and Lee Siebert with the collaboration of Russell Blong, Jonathan Dehn, Christopher Newhall, Roland Pool, and Thomas C. Stein (1994): Volcanoes of the World, Second Edition, A Regional Directory, Gazetteer, and Chronology of Volcanism During the Last 10,000 Years, Geoscience Press, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, in association with Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program, Washington, D.C., p. 164-176. #13481 La Republica (Costa Rica) (1989): Lluvia ácida podría causar pérdidas millonarias. Published 19 February 1989. Link. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K

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Remark:

Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.

Fuentes: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution

Costa Rica FAQ

+When was the last volcanic eruption en la Costa Rica?

The last volcanic eruption en la Costa Rica was from Poas volcano during 2023 - 2024.

+When was the first documented volcanic eruption en la Costa Rica?

The first historically documented eruption occurred 1723 from Irazu volcano.

+How often do volcanoes en la Costa Rica erupt?

Since 1723, Costa Rica has seen at least 116 historically documented eruptions. This means that a volcano erupts on average every 2.6 years.

+How active are the volcanoes en la Costa Rica?

Costa Rica is volcanically extremely active: Since 1900, at least 6 volcanoes en la Costa Rica have been active. Almost every year, at least one volcano has erupted en la Costa Rica. The last volcano to erupt en la Costa Rica was Poas volcano. Its was active from 2023 until 2024 and ended 12 months ago.

+When was the largest volcanic eruption en la Costa Rica?

The largest eruption en la Costa Rica in historic times was from Turrialba volcano. It occurred during 2015 - 2019. It ranks as a "vulcanian" eruption with a magnitude 3 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.

Terremotos más recientes: Costa Rica

En los últimos 7 días, Costa Rica tuvo 1 sismo de magnitud 4.2, 37 sismos de magnitud 3+ y 15 sismos de magnitud 2+.

Un Magnitud 3.6 sismo ocurrió en Océano Pacífico Norte, Costa Rica .

Magnitud 3.6 Sismo Océano Pacífico Norte, Costa Rica -

Fecha y hora	Mag / Prof.	Volcán más cercano / Ubicación
26 abr 05:52 (GMT -6)	3.8 8 km	122 km S de Baru	South of Panama I FELT IT	Más
26 abr 02:02 (GMT -6)	3.7 32 km	157 km SO de Poas	Off Coast of Costa Rica I FELT IT - 1 report	Más
25 abr 22:37 (GMT -5)	4.2 9 km	114 km S de Baru	South of Panama I FELT IT - 1 report	Más
viernes, 25 abril 2025 GMT (2 sismos)
25 abr 05:00 (GMT -6)	3.8 23 km	128 km SO de Poas	Costa Rica I FELT IT	Más
24 abr 18:09 (GMT -6)	3.9 23 km	120 km SO de Orosí	Off Coast of Costa Rica I FELT IT	Más
lunes, 21 abril 2025 GMT (1 sismo)
21 abr 08:03 (GMT -6)	3.7 27 km	106 km SO de Orosí	Off Coast of Costa Rica I FELT IT	Más

Ver sismos recientes

Terremotos significativos en la Costa Rica desde 1900

El terremoto más mortífero en la Costa Rica desde 1900 fue a strong earthquake (magnitude unknown) en la

Costa Rica, Cartago on abril, 13, 1910. Resultó en 1,750 muertes y un número desconocido de personas heridas.
La mayoría de las víctimas y los daños se debieron al tsunami que siguió al terremoto. El tsunami alcanzó alturas de agua de 3 m. Este fue el terremoto más desastroso en la Costa Rica jamás registrado. Between 100-1,000 casas y otros edificios fueron destruidos y un número desconocido gravemente dañados.

Fecha	Mag	Región	Fallecidos	Daños
2009 Jan 8	6.1	La Paz	23	pesado	Info
1991 Apr 22	7.6	Limon, Pandora; Panama	90	muy pesado	Info
1973 Apr 14	6.5	Tilaran, Arenal, Rio Chiquito	26	desconocido	Info
1955 Sep 1	5.8	Costa Rica	10	moderado	Info
1952 Dec 30	?	Costa Rica	29	desconocido	Info
1910 May 4	?	Cartago, San Jose	700	pesado	Info
1910 Apr 13	?	Cartago	1,750	moderado	Info

Fuente: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Earthquake Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K

All Quakes in History

Mapa

Sismos más antiguos (hasta 1960) en amarillo, los más recientes (desde el 2000) en rojo.

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Terremotos significativos en la Costa Rica FAQ

+¿Cuál fue el sismo más mortífero? en la Costa Rica desde 1900?

El terremoto más mortífero en la Costa Rica desde 1900 fue a strong earthquake (magnitude unknown) en la Costa Rica, Cartago on abril, 13, 1910. Resultó en 1,750 muertes y un número desconocido de personas heridas.

+¿Cuál fue el terremoto que causó más daños en la Costa Rica desde 1900?

El terremoto que causó más daños fue the magnitude 7.6 earthquake en la Costa Rica, Provincia de Limón on abril, 22, 1991. Causó 90 muertes y $510 millones de dólares US (el equivalente actual) en daños económicos totales.

+¿Cuántas personas murieron por los sismos en la Costa Rica desde 1900?

Desde 1900, al menos 15 terremotos se han cobrado un total estimado de 2,658 muertes en la Costa Rica.

+¿Cuánto daño causaron los sismos en la Costa Rica desde 1900?

Ha habido 22 terremotos dañinos durante este período que han causado pérdidas económicas de aprox. $644.7 millones de dólares US combinado.

Lista de volcanes

Arenal

(Stratovolcano 1657 m / 5,436 ft)

Arenal volcano (image: Michael Beck)

Arenal, a major tourist attraction in Costa Rica, is one of the most active volcanoes of Central America. Since a major eruption in 1968, it has been in near-continuous activity building a lava dome and displaying mild explosive activity from the summit crater. [más info]

Barva

(Complex volcano 2906 m / 9,534 ft)

[más info]

Cerro Chopo

(Pyroclastic cone 402 m / 1319 ft)

[más info]

Cerro las Mercedes

(Pyroclastic cone 190 m / 623 ft)

[más info]

Cerro San Miguel

(Lava dome 414 m / 1358 ft)

[más info]

Cerro Tilaran

(Shield 634 m / 2080 ft)

[más info]

Durika

(Lava dome(s) 3257 m / 10686 ft)

[más info]

Irazu

(Stratovolcano 3432 m / 11,260 ft)

Irazú (3432 m) immediately east of the capital San José is Costa Rica's highest and one of its most active volcanoes. Tephra fall (ash) during the last major eruption of Irazú in 1963-65 caused heavy damage to infrastructure and life in San José and its surroundings. [más info]

Isla del Coco

(Shield 575 m / 1886 ft)

[más info]

Laguna Poco Sol

(Explosion crater(?) 789 m / 2589 ft)

[más info]

Lomas de Colorado

(Shield(s) 229 m / 751 ft)

[más info]

Lomas de Sierpe

(Shield(s) 311 m / 1020 ft)

[más info]

Los Perdidos

(Caldera 1357 m / 4452 ft)

[más info]

Miravalles

(Stratovolcano 2028 m / 6,653 ft)

Miravalles volcano (image: Michael Beck)

[más info]

Orosí

(Stratovolcanoes 1659 m / 5,443 ft)

[más info]

Platanar

(Stratovolcanoes 2267 m / 7,438 ft)

[más info]

Poas

(Stratovolcano 2708 m (8,884 ft))

Poás is one of Costa Rica´s most active volcanoes, and one of its most frequently visited and prominent ones. It contains a green acid crater lake and during some of its frequent phreatic eruptions, water from the lake is ejected like a geyser. [más info]

Rincón de la Vieja

(Complex volcano 1916 m (6,286 ft))

Rincón de la Vieja is the largest volcano in NW Costa Rica and one of its most active ones. [más info]

Tenorio

(Stratovolcanoes 1916 m / 6,286 ft)

Tenorio volcano (image: Michael Beck)

[más info]

Tortuguero

(Pyroclastic cone 119 m / 390 ft)

[más info]

Turrialba

(Stratovolcano 3340 m (10,958 ft))

Turrialba volcano seen from Irazu

Turrialba (3340 m) is the easternmost of Costa Rica's active volcanoes. It is a large stratovolcano with a complex of 3 summit craters and its flanks mostly covered by farmland and forest. vegetation. After its previous eruption in 1866, signs of unrest started in 2006 and new ph... [más info]

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Latest news:

lun, 28 abr 2025, 06:45

Poas Volcano Volcanic Ash Advisory: VA EMS HAS DISP

lun, 28 abr 2025, 00:45

Poas Volcano: sporadic emissions of volcanic ash

Satellite image of Poas volcano on 28 Apr 2025

dom, 27 abr 2025, 13:00

Poas Volcano Volcanic Ash Advisory: CONT LGT VA EM

dom, 27 abr 2025, 01:45

Poas Volcano Volcanic Ash Advisory: RCNT VA OBS to 11000 ft (3400 m)

sáb, 26 abr 2025, 14:15

Poas Volcano Volcanic Ash Advisory: VA EMS OBS

Volcanoes of Costa Rica

Map showing Costa Rica's most active volcanoes and the location of the plate boundary between the subducting Pacific and the overriding Carribean plate. (Base map created using Jules Verne UNAVCO map tool featuring Face of the Earth (TM)).