Poás Volcano National Park

Poás Volcano National Park
IUCN category II (national park)
Map showing the location of Poás Volcano National Park
Location Alajuela Province, Costa Rica
Coordinates 10°11′53″N 84°13′52″W / 10.198°N 84.231°W / 10.198; -84.231Coordinates: 10°11′53″N 84°13′52″W / 10.198°N 84.231°W / 10.198; -84.231[1]
Area 65 square kilometres (25 sq mi)
Established 25 January 1971
Governing body National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC)
www.costarica-nationalparks.com/poasvolcanonationalpark.html

Poás Volcano National Park, in Spanish Parque Nacional Volcán Poás, is a National Park in Costa Rica that covers an area of approximately 65 square kilometres (16,000 acres); the summit is 2,700 metres (8,900 ft). It was established on 25th January, 1971. Until recently visitors could usually walk all the way to the edge of the main crater, but on April 13, 2017 the park was closed to visitors due to an explosive eruption on the evening of April 12.[2] Still further eruptions, including Easter, April 16, have closed the park until further notice.[3]

The volcano is located in the Central Volcanic Conservation Area located in the Alajuela Province near the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, which encompasses the area around the Poás Volcano. The main crater is 290 metres (950 ft) deep and is quite active with frequent small geyser and lava eruptions, however the last major eruptions were during 1952-54. Two more craters make up parts of the park, the extinct Von Frantzuis crater and the Botos crater. Botos is a beautiful cold, green water crater lake with a diameter of 370 metres (1,200 ft). The Botos crater has not erupted for about 7,500 years. Well-marked trails lead to the two inactive craters, conditions permitting.

The park has been frequently closed to visitors because of sulphuric gas emissions. Over the last decade there were a number of indications that the volcano was slowly building up towards a new eruption.


Flora and fauna

The park maintains a variety of wild plant and animal species, such as the Poas magnolia tree, and Bangs's mountain squirrel. It is also home to 79 bird species, including the clay-colored robin, black guan, resplendent quetzal and varieties of hummingbirds, tanagers, flycatchers and toucans. Mammals within the park include coyotes, rabbits, and marmots.[4]

Lake Botos is an inactive crater also located within the Poás Volcano National Park.
Fumarole activity at the Poás crater.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Volcán Poás - Protected Planet". Protectedplanet.net. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
  2. ↑ "New Eruption at Poas Volcano in Costa Rica Forces Evacuation of Residents as Preventive Measure - Costa Rica Star News". News.co.cr. 12 April 2017. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
  3. ↑ "Poas Volcano National Park in Costa Rica will Remain Closed due to Continuous Eruptions - Costa Rica Star News". News.co.cr. 16 April 2017. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
  4. ↑ "Poas Volcano National Park, Costa Rica - profile and photos". Anywherecostarica.com. Retrieved 8 July 2017.

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