by Rod Hughes

One would think that flooding across the country these last two months, plus emegency work on a dike, would be enough, but residents around Turrialba Volcano are keeping an eye on the giant that has been sleeping since 1886.

Residents report the past few days have seen an increase in acid rain and an emission of gasses, fortunately from vents inside the crater. The Volcanology and Seismology Observator and National Emergency Committee are keeping close watch as well but the situation so far is “better safe than sorry.”

The volcano, some 124 kilometers from the city of Turrialba, began to show some light activity in the year 2000 but has so far remained well behaved. Since last April, the volcano has been off-limits for tourist treks but now scientists are checking subsoil temperatures and monitoring for seismic activity.

Meanwhile, above ground can get tense as well. The Emergency Committee has authorized a strengthening of a dike protecting the city of Siquirres on the river by the same name. Authorities hope the work will be finished by the time heavy rainst hit the Caribbean in December and January, ironically when the rest of the country will be taking a breath of relief after the rainy season.

But in October, a flashflood took out some 130 feet of the dike, destroying 15 homes and leaving 40 persons homeless. Government workers are also deepening the riverbed with a dredge.

(We have written recently about this tiny country’s amazingly diverse micro-climates. This is a fine example, when the weather may be dry in the rest of the country but, isolated by a mountainous backbone of the country, Limon province can be receiving heavy rains. Conversely, that province can be dry when the Central Valley is in flood watch.)