Summary
Following a violent eruption of Costa Rica’s Poás Volcano, which sent ash plumes over 4,700 meters high, villages nearby are under an “Orange Alert” due to the deposition of volcanic ash and the daily release of over 600 tonnes of sulphur dioxide. Local health officials are urging residents to avoid the toxic ash cloud, and the Costa Rican Government has closed the Poás Volcano National Park. Communities including Zarcero and San José are affected, with warnings issued for limited outdoor exposure and the use of masks to mitigate health risks.