Costa Rican volcano erupts after long silence

Source: Reuters

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (Reuters) - Costa Rica's Turrialba volcano, last active in the 19th century, erupted on Tuesday, spewing ash and steam and prompting authorities to evacuate a small number of people from its slopes.

The 11,000-foot (3,340-meter) volcano is situated east of the capital San Jose in the remote, lushly forested central highlands of the Central American country.

It had shown increased activity since the weekend, Vanessa Rosales, president of Costa Rica's disaster response commission, told Reuters.

"The area around the volcano is not very populated," Rosales said, while adding that ash from the volcano could reach San Jose if activity were to became more severe.


Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6050FS20100106

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The ash of the volcano is already reaching San José.