Volcano Blows In Nicaragua, Thousands Evacuated

San Cristobal spews ash, 8 Sept.  2012
(photo Confidencial/ Tierrapinolera/
Ricci Rich Silva;
via The Nicaragua Dispatch)
Sept. 9, 2012 - Nicaragua's tallest mountain, San Cristobal, erupted three times early yesterday morning. The 5,725-foot (1,745-meter) volcano spewed a huge ash cloud and deadly gases over two miles (five kilometers) into the atmosphere and forcing the evacuation of at least 3,000 people, possibly as many as 5,000.

San Cristobal (also known as "El Viejo") is located about 95 miles (150km) north of Nicaragua's capital city Managua and is one of 19 active volcanoes in the Central American country.

The massive 7.6 earthquake in neighboring Costa Rica on Sept. 5 could have helped to rekindle San Cristobal. That quake has a lot of volcano watchers in the region worried.

Officials are also keeping a close watch on four active volcanoes in neighboring Costa Rica after its 7.6 quake.

"Even a small shift under one of these giants could cause an eruption," notes D. Chandler at The Guardian Express. "At least four of the seven active volcanoes in [Costa Rica] are in the crosshairs of scientists after the earthquake of 7.6magnitude occurred on Wednesday..."











TGE also reports that "it is normal that volcanic structures, especially those already vulnerable, are affected. There is a rearrangement of material and even chemical changes," according to scientists who specialize in volcanic and seismic studies.

Meanwhile, Nicaragua is bracing for another killer earthquake of its own.  It seems inevitable, actually, and could happen literally any minute now.  "In the past 127 years, Managua has been destroyed three times by a major earthquake that strikes every 40-45 years. It’s been 40 years since the last one," notes The Nicaragua Dispatch. With 19 active volcanoes, the thought of a devastating earthquake is made more frightening by the possibility of lava and hot gases flowing down on the rubble - and struggling survivors.

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