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Volcano Tourism – Central and South American Examples 99

Figure 7.2 Arenal volcano, Costa Rica: National Park access limit
Note: The sign behind the fence reads: Zona de Peligro, No Pase – Danger Zone, Keep Out.

development. It’s a highly arbitrary zoning plan, growth of Arenal itself. An interpretive centre has
however, and any particularly large eruption been under construction for several years about
would devastate the entire area. 2km south-west of the ranger station (but had yet
There is little vegetation or wildlife to be seen to open at my last visit). This will feature a
in the immediate area of the main viewing site museum with exhibits on volcanology and local
since the effects of the major eruption of 1968 are ecology, an auditorium for slide shows, a cafe and
only slowly being overcome. Nevertheless, this souvenir store. Meanwhile, the Arenal Observatory
area offers an interesting opportunity to witness Lodge has a small but interesting Museum of
the early stages of lava flow colonization by a Volcanology.
handful of plant species adapted to the task. According to a recent study (Barquero and
Farther away, there are other areas that escaped Melson, 2005, p3) the calculation of the probability
direct damage and provide better wildlife viewing of future fatalities at Arenal volcano involves two
in the forested sections. The park also contains a independent considerations: the probability at any
second volcano, Chato, whose crater contains a time interval of eruptions with potentially fatal
lagoon. This is also called Cerro Chato (literally consequences, and the probability of someone
Mount Chato) as it has been inactive for around being in a hazardous zone at the time of such an
3500 years – coinciding with the creation and eruption. A near-crater ejected block killed a

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