Volcano ash covers Costa Rican capital after eruption

A vast amount of volcanic ash covered Costa Rica's capital, San Jose after a powerful eruption of the Turrialba volcano blew a column of smoke to a height of 9,800 ft above the crater.

Communities east of San Jose like Montes de Oca, Goicoechea and Coronado, along with the capital itself, were covered on Friday, EFE news reported.

The volcanic activity continued with the emission of gases and ash, according to a report by the Costa Rican Vulcanology and Seismology Observatory.

Turrialba volcano has been belching ash and gases in an eruptive cycle since April.

This volcano, some 10,950 ft high and which is also a national park, is located some 70 km east of San Jose, and entered its most constant phase of activity in October 2014.

Authorities have not reported any injuries, but farms and cattle ranches around the volcano were seriously affected by the falling ash.

--IANS

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