Rincón de la Vieja

 

Rincon de la Vieja is one of the most active volcanoes in Costa Rica. It is an active andesitic complex volcano which stands 1,916 metres above sea level. Rincon de la Vieja has a large number of hot springs and fumaroles on its slope. It has 130 cu km volume and contains at least nine major eruptive centres.

Location:	Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Coordinates:	10.832245, -85.336374
Volcano Type:	Complex

 

Rincon de la Vieja’s Location

 

Rincon de la Vieja’s Latest Status

2024: Active – Currently Erupting

 

Rincón de la Vieja’s Eruptive History

1990-1999	The period between 1990 and 1999 was particularly active. The crater lake level decreased, with sulfur open floating on the surface. On May 1991 an eruption occurred ejecting ash and blocks. In 1995, another eruption occurred producing lahars which destroyed infrastructure. 1998 saw phreatic eruptions.
2000-2010	Activity decreased, however fumarolic activity and seismicity present.
2011	After a period of relative quiet, Rincón de la Vieja erupted again through to 2015.
2017	Phreatic explosions that ejected material to 2km. Lahars were also produced.
2018	Minor eruptive activity extending through to 2019.
2019	Explosive activity with large incandescent ejecta.
2020	Strong phreatic (likely) eruption with plume to 1500m. Authorities activate emergency protocols.
2023	Large phreatic eruption that produced a pyroclastic flow to 2km.
2024	Small phreatic eruptions recorded in January.

 

Rincón de la Vieja Monitoring

Please refer to OVSICORI for monitoring of this volcano.

 

Rincón de la Vieja Images