Anuncie Uno: Costa Rica's Geographic Lanscape, Volcanos & Earthquakes




That is, "Post One," in Spanish: a little of the local Costa Rican lingo.

 

Panorama photo of Arenal, from Arenal Lake.

Topographic Map of Costa Rica's landscape.


Costa Rica is located at 10°N (of the eaquator), and 84°W (of the Prime Meridian), spanning 51,100 km², and features a 1,228 km coastline.
The Costa Rican coastal plain is separated by a spine of rugged mountain ranges. The Cordillera Central and the Cordillera de Talamanca separate the Caribbean and Pacific watersheds. In addition, there are three other major mountain ranges that make up the continental divide and form Costa Rica’s rich geographic and ecologic landscape. There are 14 major river systems throughout Costa Rica, draining into the Caribbean, the Pacific and Lake Nicaragua.

IT’S A PLANE! NO, IT’S A BIRD! NO, IT’S ARENAL!

Costa Rica's Arenal volcano at sunset.

Due to Costa Rica’s position along the subducting Coco Plate, just east of the Middle America Ocean Trench, atop the Caribbean
Plate, thrust fault earthquakes and volcanic activity are constant occurrences familiar to the locals.  There are about six active volcanoes and 61 dormant volcanoes casing the nation. One of Costa Rica’s major tourist attractions is the actively erupting Arenal Volcano. Arenal is a ~7,000 year old andesitic Stratovolcano with various lava domes and has been active since 1984. At an elevation of 1,670 km, it maintains a 140 meter crater and is a site-to-see for international travelers from all walks, as there are several resorts and hotels specifically positioned with Arenal in their guest’s line of sight.



However, do not be fooled by Arenal’s scenic convenience, as Costa Rica’s Irazú volcano is as equally, if not more, extraordinary. Although active, Irazú has not had a notable eruption since 1994. This complex Stratovolcano is positioned at an elevation of 3,432 km, and measures an area of 500 km². Its intense eruptions expose impressive mafic minerals including basalt and andesite, and can source from any of its remarkable five different craters (as seen from this NASA aerial view image). 

Stay tuned, because there is much more to come!


Sources:
Wikipedia: Geography of Costa Rica
Wikipedia: Arenal Volcano
Wikipedia: Irazu Volcano