Irazu Volcano National Park: overlook into the volcano crater
Area | 6,000 acres, approximately |
Location | Cartago Province, 30 miles east of San Jose (9.979° N 83.852° W) |
Max. Elevation | 11,260' above sea level |
Precipitation | 80 inches annual average |
Temperature | 40ºF annual average |
Date of Creation | August, 1955 |
Costa Rica's Irazu Volcano is an active stratovolcano, which is under constant monitoring by OVISCORI-UNA. The last major eruptions were from 1963-1965, with intermittent small eruptions and lava flows since.
The unusual bright greenish yellow coloring of the lake at Diego de la Haya Crater is caused by rainfall dissolving the minerals along the craters walls. The lake is also under close monitoring for changes in chemistry and temperature.
Lying just east of the capital city of San Jose, massive Irazu is Costa Rica's highest volcano at 3,432 meters. It is also one of the most active, with a history of frequent eruptions recorded from 1723. It last erupted in 1963-'65, sending tephra and secondary mudflows into cultivated areas. Irazu's summit crater contains a small lake.
The Prusia Sector, formerly known as the Ruben Torres Rojas Forest Reserve, is located to the southwest of the volcano, and now is the Ricardo Jimenez Oreamuno Recreation Area, and has several hiking trails. This zone at the park is the site of a reforestation project to restore the area destroyed by the major eruptions of 1963-65.
The visitor center and scenic overlook at the volcano area has a small coffee shop and tables, and is open from 8:00am to 4:00pm.
