Arenal Volcano
3' x4', Acrylic on Canvas
$2,000.00
©1996
This almost perfect cone, which soars 1,633 meters above sea level, has a crater 140 meters deep formed over an ancient caldera. It dates back to 3-2 million years ago. On 29th July 1968, it ceased to be dormant and began a new stage of eruptions that has lasted to the present day. At the time, it destroyed 1,500 hectares, affected 32,000 hectares and covered over 700 hectares with lava, as a result of its emissions of pyroclasts, ash, steam and burning clouds. There is no record of any eruptions that took place during the Spanish Conquest and subsequent colonization, but some carbon-dated potsherds and samples of coal suggest there was volcanic activity between 1200-1500. By 1937, records were being kept of the activity in the crater of Arenal Volcano.
The episode of 1968 began with an eruption on 29th-30th July, killing 87 people and causing some damage. A quiet phase followed from 31st July-9th August, during which time the volcano emitted hot vapors and large amounts of ash. On 9th August, fumarolic activity began in the new craters, on the 14th explosions were heard, and on the 19th there was a lava flow 25 meters thick that advanced towards the Tabacon River Valley at a rate of 10-30 meters a day. Today, part of the altered slopes have been carpeted by vegetation, and others are just beginning a stage of natural colonization in an excessively humid and cloudy habitat.
My wife and I stayed at the Arenal Observatory Lodge at the very base of the volcano. We were awoken in the early hours of the morning just before dawn to witness a minor eruption and mild earth quakes. This former observatory for the Smithsonian Institute is now owned by private individuals who run the lodge.
In the painting, I have framed it with the national flower of Costa Rica, the Guaria Morada, an orchid. In the center is the volcano surrounded by a variety of heliconia plants, exotic birds like the resplendent quetzal and toucan. At the base of the volcano is a hot springs known as Tabacon with cool waterfalls and hot springs fed by the volcano. Some of the butterfly species I have include are the sweet oil butterfly on the lower left and the owl butterfly on the lower right. Reptiles are prolific in this area of the country so I have also included an iguana on the bottom of the painting.