Page 121 - Volcano and Geothermal Tourism

98 The Americas

Arenal National Park restaurants, tours, hikes and activities of every
Arenal Volcano National Park, was created by description that cater to people who make the
Executive Decree 20791 (MIRENEM, 1991) of 6 long drive to the area for one reason: to hear the
November 1991. It has an area of 12,124 hectares. rumble and catch a glimpse of spewing smoke, ash
The Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal lies within and lava from Arenal. In addition to including in
the larger (204,000 ha) Arenal Conservation Area, the national park system what is currently one of
protecting 8 of Costa Rica’s 12 life zones and 16 the world’s most active volcanoes, the area now
protected reserves in the region between the under park service protection encompasses the
Guanacaste and Tilarán mountain ranges, including watersheds of several rivers and streams that flow
Lake Arenal. A joint project involving the into Lake Arenal, the country’s most important
Canadian International Development Agency and source of hydroelectric power.
World Wildlife Fund Canada is helping local For observing violent activity Arenal is one of
communities protect buffer zones where the land the best places in the world, its periodic eruptions
is under development pressure by drawing them of ash and molten rock, accompanied by sonic
into ecotourism. The symmetrical Arenal volcano blasts, are an unforgettable experience anytime but
(1657m) is the youngest stratovolcano in Costa become extremely spectacular after dark. At night
Rica and one of its most active: the oldest known the glowing red igneous rocks ejected with each
Arenal rocks are only 2900 years old. Rapid eruption trace spectacular arches in the night sky
growth of the cone diverted local drainage and before crashing down on the steep slopes and
formed Arenal Lake. Before 1968 this volcano was finally extinguishing themselves. Columns of lava
considered extinct and it was even thought that it also push their way down the sides of the volcano,
was not a volcano. It was known as the Hill Arenal and pieces of the advancing sections continually
and lies only three hours drive from San José in break off under the weight of new flows bearing
the central valley of Costa Rica. La Fortuna, a down from above. At night, these falling pieces are
town with a population of only 6000, is the main visible as chunks of rolling red rocks, adding to the
starting place for tourists who want to go to the natural fireworks display between the frequent
Arenal Volcano Park (in excess of 250,000 per eruptions. Climbing Arenal is however forbidden
year). for tourists due to the risk of damage to the
The volcano initiated its current active period environment and possible changes in the eruptive
on 29 July 1968, opening three craters towards the activity. For some time Arenal has been showing
west flank. Crater A at 1000m caused the explosion, signs of reduced activity but continues to be very
emanating a pyroclastic flow that devastated 12 dangerous and has killed people in recent years.
square kilometres, destroying the little towns of Park ranger signs mention: Do NOT climb the
Pueblo Nuevo and Tabacón and causing the death cone, do NOT enter closed areas, and take heed
of approximately 87 people. In the month of of ALL warning signs (Figure 7.2).
September of the same year the volcano began to From the 600m elevation where visitors are
emit lava from crater A and this vent remained allowed to approach atop a lava flow from the
active until 1973, when the activity migrated 1968 eruption, Arenal rises another 1000m to its
towards Crater C, at a height of 1450m. This crater 1633m summit, and although the peak is still three
remains active until the present; it is characterized kilometres away, it seems very close. Short trails
by permanent lava taps of andesite basaltic (3.4km and 2km) go through some young
composition, explosions of pyroclastic materials secondary forests and old lava from previous
and constant gas emission. eruptions. The park rangers keep a sharp eye on
At the present time the population density in the volcanic activity and determine which trails
the area of this volcano is 40 people/km². The should be opened or not and will not hesitate to
Arenal volcano offers an exceptional volcano evacuate the park if they feel it’s unsafe for visitors.
tourism experience and practically the entire MINAE’s Comisión Nacional de Emergencías
economy of the nearby town of La Fortuna is recently set up four ‘safety zones’ around the
based on tourism. There are hotels, lodges, volcano and is now regulating commercial

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