Conditions have slightly improved for the agricultural communities that lie on the skirts of the Turrialba volcano in Costa Rica. Incandescence and isolated events of pyroclastic flow are still being detected, which is why the Turrialba National Park remains off-limits to visitors; however, the danger presented by eruptions of ash and great blocks of igneous volcanic matter has somewhat subsided.

An early morning report from Joselyne Ugarte of online news daily CRHoy.com included statements from seismologist Floribeth Vega of the Observatory on Seismicity and Volcanology (Spanish acronym: OVSICORI) of the University of Costa Rica. Ms. Vega explained the current conditions at the Turrialba colossus:

We are seeing [on our crater camera feeds] this white plume emanate; it is not as dark as it previously appeared, so this is indicative of a volcanic discharge that is mostly phreatic (of ground water) and that doesn’t present so much ash as before.

Ms. Vega also mentioned that the Tuesday morning feed from the Turrialba crater cam is similar to what OVSICORI scientists have observed over the last two years; nonetheless, Ms. Vega underscored the need for close monitoring and vigilance:

We can’t establish parameters or statements that hint at the possibility of the Turrialba having gone back to normal because there is still a certain degree of seismicity that is greater than it was prior to the [major eruption a week ago]. The behavior of this colossus is unpredictable.

As recently reported by The Costa Rica Star, ash clouds persist over the Turrialba region, and they are affecting farming operations. The Red Cross has reported an increase in patients who report respiratory problems, and race officials of the grueling Ruta de los Conquistadores mountain bike competition have amended their routes to avoid regions of Costa Rica where heavy concentrations of sulfur would cause riders to get a lungful of noxious volcanic gases.