Saturday, July 14, 2007

Volcán Poás


Costa Rica has at least eighteen distinct eco- systems, and by some reports over fifty. While decidedly tropical, the extreme variations in altitude create unique habitats throughout the country.

Yesterday we had the opportunity to visit Volcán Poás, the second largest volcano crater in the world, and one of the few accessible active volcanoes. The volcano is active in 40 year cycles and currently produces sulfurous gases in thick clouds. When the clouds clear, a turquoise lake is revealed. A short hike away is Laguna Botos, another volcano crater, also containing a jewel-like lake. The craters filled with water from the rains, but due to their origins, they both contain acid and only a few types of algae and microorganisms can live in the waters.

The hike to the craters takes you through Costa Rica’s only dwarf cloud forest, an enchanting landscape. The forest is extremely dense but the trees are much shorter than other cloud forests or rainforests, creating a very unique environment.

These photographs are of the crater at Volcán Poás, the dwarf cloud forest, and Laguna Botos, respectively.



3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, Brad. Costa Rica is beautiful, isn't it?! Very unique and gorgeous. xoxoxo Hi Brad!

Anonymous said...

When I first clicked on I didn't expect an update because i knew you were traveling but that first photo popped up and I thought holy crap he's had an epiphay. I thought it was a painting for a split sec there. I'm sure it's only a matter of time. That place is gorge.

Anonymous said...

Remember the sunset you painted on your bedroom wall in the 9th street house? I would love to see that duplicated again someday. I miss it. xoxoxo Remember how beautiful it was? xoxoxo