Costa Rica’s Turrialba Volcano comes to life in largest eruption in 150 years

The sky continues to rain ash hours after the eruption began. (Photo courtesy of the RSN)

October 30^th, 2014 (InsideCostaRica.com) Costa Rica’s Turrialba Volcano erupted shortly after 11:30 p.m. Wednesday night, in what officials are calling the most significant eruption of the volcano in 150 years.

Those who live nearby reported seismic activity and “booming sounds” that began around 11 p.m.  Some 40 minutes later the volcano erupted, belching clouds of ash high into the sky.

The eruption has continued since, and ash fall was recorded as far away as the city of Heredia in the early morning hours Thursday.

An official with the National Seismological Network (RSN) said that the eruption has merged together two of the volcano’s craters.

Members of the Red Cross were the first to reach the scene in the early morning hours Thursday.  Red Cross personnel said they distributed masks to visibly shaken residents.  Costa Rica’s emergency response officials have prepared an evacuation plan, should the order for evacuation be given.

The area around the volcano is sparsely populated.  There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.