The dramatic nature of the eruptions forced the closure of schools in the town of Turrialba but did not cause any known injuries. The eruptions the first in five years and the most powerful since 1866 began March 8, but intensified Thursday and Friday. The volcano erupted eight times Thursday. Because of seismic activity, Turrialba Volcano National Park remains closed. (This is the dry season in Costa Rica, and a relatively slow tourism period.) Ash reached not only San Jose, which is where Juan Santamaria Airport is located, but provinces of Alajuela, Limon, and Heredia. The airport was scheduled to reopen in early afternoon, according to the Tico Times.
