COSTA RICA – Blanketing its surrounding areas with ash, Costa Rica has been graced with its largest volcanic blast in years. The eruption produced plumes of over 3,200 feet, with falling rocks and magma. 

Poás’ explosion was known as a phreatic eruption, or, one that is mainly driven by water. This particular blast, according to Wired, was caused by heated water at the volcano’s summit crate lake and vent area. Flights out of the area managed to catch the resulting plumes as the volcano rumbled to life. 

As we left San Jose Costa Rica this morning, we had a great view of the La Poas Volcano eruption. We found out tha… https://t.co/Db2hiOtcgx pic.twitter.com/thAG3CzvVT

— Scott Rovak (@scottrovak) April 14, 2017

The eruption also caused boulders as big as wide as almost 7 feet being thrown into the air from the lake vent, with reports indicating that some even broke the floor of Poás’ visitor center in the volcano’s National Park. 

Costa Rica Volcanological and Seismological Observatory (or OVSICORI) posted a video, seen below, that showed new ash and large blocks around the volcano’s crate. The organization’s scientists told The Costa Rica Star that in the materials ejected from the volcano, 5% was new magma. This most likely signifies that more eruptions are in store, with potentially more violent ones that could lead to bursts over 16,000 feet high.

The volcano already saw another burst of life, as it experienced another five minutes of activity mere days after the initial explosions. The country’s geologists and volcanologists have categorized the volcano as highly unstable as it continues to register frequent activity.

So far, no reports have surfaced of travel or shipping being affected in the area.

What will Costa Rica see next as Poás’ momentum continues to build? AndNowUKnow will report.