United Press International
Costa Rica's Arenal volcano, one of the Central American country's key tourist attractions, has erupted, local media reported Thursday.
Arenal, located about 90 miles (150 kilometers) north of San Jose, the capital, erupted on Tuesday evening, sending lava flowing down one side of its summit and prompting the National Emergency Commission, or CNE, to issue warnings about further eruptions and prepare evacuation orders for nearby residents.
Although no fresh eruptions have occurred since Tuesday, the CNE has forbidden people from approaching Arenal in an effort to highlight the potential danger to tourists.
Arenal is one of the youngest volcanoes in the Western Hemisphere, but it had not erupted in historic time, scientists said, until July 1968. Then, an explosive eruption produced hot avalanches and ejected blocks that devastated the west flank of the volcano and killed 78 people.
Arenal has been continuously active since then.