| |
|
|
| |
Today's
Temperature
(12:00 PM from the top of the crater)
54 F
Temperature in San Jose
(7:30 PM)
74 F
Miles
walked
6
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
Lesson
Plans
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Daily
Dilemma
|
|
|
The Irazu Volcano is 3,432 meters tall. It
is the tallest volcano in Central America,
and on a clear day you can see the Pacific
Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico from the summit.
We are wondering how high the volcano in in
feet. Please convert 3,432 meters to feet
and help us solve our dilemma!
|
|
 |
|
Volcanic Encounters
November
9th 7:00 PM San Jose, Costa Rica
|
I must admit
that I'm pretty excited that Irazu volcano won last
week's poll. I have never gotten a chance to explore
an active volcano. Volcanoes are so interesting, because
they are some of the most visible reminders that the
Earth is always changing, or "Under Construction."
Dave and
I woke up around 6:00 AM, so we could catch the bus
to the Parque Nacional Volcan Irazu. The 59-kilometer
bus ride took a little over 2 hours. We climbed out
the Costa Rica's Central Valley, weaving our way up
a series of steep and winding roads.
|
|
|
|
As we made
our way up the mountain range, toward Cartago, the bus
became enveloped in clouds. Irazu is located in cloud
forest, making it difficult to see the volcano's crater
very well on most days.
However,
we were lucky today. We arrived just as the clouds were
breaking. Morning is usually the best time to see the
volcano, because clouds become thick as the sun rises
higher in the sky.
|
| The first recorded eruption of Irazu was
on February 16, 1723. Irazu's most recent major eruption
took place in 1963. Since then, the volcano has been under
constant change. Today, the only sign of activity the
volcano gives is through gaseous emissions. The gases
are what create the intensely green water. However, the
main crater's lake only began to form in 1984. The water
in the lake is toxic and highly acidic. The water is also
quite warm, having an average temperature of 30 degrees
Celcius. |
|
|
|
We stayed at the highest point of the crater for about
2 hours, observing clouds come and go. For most of the
time, it was windy, wet, and cold. The air became noticeably
thinner because of the elevation. There is very little
vegetation that grows near the crater. Only the heartiest
of plants can survive such a harsh environment. The
soil near the crater is sandy and steep, making it hard
for plant roots to get a firm hold. Landslides are common,
so many plants get uprooted in the process.
|
|
Being so close to such a powerful geological phenomenon
was really cool, because it's like being inserted into
the pages of the Science textbooks I had in school.
Actually being there in person, and applying the skills
I learned in all of my Earth Science classes made me
realize that scientists aren't just nerds in labcoats,
but truly adventurous explorers. Now I can understand
why all volcanologist chose their profession.
Happy Trails,
Frosty
|
Notes
from the Trail Index
|
