Teams of earth scientists and emergency management officials who climbed to the top of the Turrialba volcano in Costa Rica yesterday issued a volcanology report that supports yellow alert conditions in the area. Although the presence of lava was not detected in the crater area, the colossus is still very active in terms of expelling other volcanic matter.

As previously reported, the Turrialba volcano had been mostly dormant for more than a century prior to the powerful eruption detected on Wednesday right before midnight. Since that time, the volcano has been constantly spewing out ash, smoke and noxious gases. Two very powerful eruptions prompted the evacuation of residents and livestock from the farming communities at the skirts of the Turrialba; volcanologist Gino Gonzalez of the National Seismology Network (Spanish initials: RSN) of the University of Costa Rica explained that large chunks of volcanic matter measuring up to 1.5 cubic meters were propelled 400 meters away from the crater, which is currently changing shape due to the formation of calderas.

Such compact masses of volcanic matter can be found at just about all the volcanic national parks of Costa Rica, and they are often called “lava rocks.” Geologists estimate that the Turrialba has catapulted these rocks at speeds close to 100 km/h; upon impact, this volcanic material has caused half-meter surface depressions, hence the need to keep the yellow alert in place and block access to the national park.

The geologists who climbed the Turrialba yesterday wore haz-mat suits similar to those worn by firefighters. This safety measure was taken due to the presence of pyroclastic flow near the crater, which consists of a mixture of gaseous and solid volcanic matter that tends to travel downhill. RSN scientists have measured the pyroclastic temperature at 300 degrees Celsius (572 Fahrenheit). To a great extent, pyroclastic flow from the Vesuvius annihilated the residents of Pompeii in 79 AD.

Although volcanologists know their way around active craters and can do their best to avoid dangerous ash plumes and pyroclastic flow, Mr. Gonzalez summed up the risk taken:

“When the volcano decides that the time has come to do what it has to do, the colossus is the one in charge and no safety equipment is going to protect you.”