By Wendy Anders

Starting at about 3:20 a.m. and lasting for a solid four hours this morning, researchers at Costa Rica’s National University’s Volcanology and Seismology Research Institute (Ovsicori-UNA), reported that the Turrialba’s eruptive column reached 2,000 ms above the highly active volcano’s crater.

Winds have been carrying the ash into areas north of the volcano and also west towards the greater San José metropolitan area.

The Juan Santamaría International Airport remains open and maintains a constant monitoring of ash. On their website all arrivals and departures appear to be on time.

For specific flight information check: http://www.aeris.cr or http://fly2sanjose.com/es/.

The volcano’s eruptions are diminishing in strength, reports Ovsicori on their Facebook page, with intermittent spasms instead of a frequent flow of ash.

People participating in today’s World Car Free Day should protect themselves from excessive exposure to ash by covering eyes, mouth, hair and skin, and drink plenty of water.

The dispersion of ash is occurring in a 50 km area surrounding the volcano, says Ovsicori researchers. The areas most affected by ash and gas emissions are the Braulio Carrillo National Park, Poás, Carrizal, as well as areas close to the volcano such as Finca Central, Finca Silvia, Finca San Bosco, Finca Lara, Finca Echandi, and Finca Volio.