Cite this Report
Two crater lakes visited in December 2002
Geologist Raul Mora, along with Carlos Ramirez and Maritta Alvarado, visited Barva volcano during December 2002 and investigated the Barva and Copey crater lakes. Located in a small crater, the Barva crater lake (figure 1) was very clear; at 5 m from the shore the water had a temperature of 11-12°C with a pH of 4-5. Water in the Copey lake was amber colored and very cloudy, with a temperature at 0.5 m depth of 12.2°C and a pH of 5. Near-surface black lapilli deposits were found that were more than a meter thick near the Barva lake, but became more irregular in thickness around the Copey lake.
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Figure 1. Photograph of the Barva crater lake, December 2002. The lake has an area of 9,000 m2 and a depth of ~ 7.7 m. Courtesy of Raul Mora. |
Information Contacts: Raul Mora Amador, Red Sismologica Nacional, Laboratorio de Sismologia, Vulcanologia y Exploracion Geofisica, Universidad de Costa Rica, Apartado 214 (2060) UCR, San Jose, Costa Rica (URL: http://rsn.ucr.ac.cr/).
The Global Volcanism Program has no Weekly Reports available for Barva.
Reports are organized chronologically and indexed below by Month/Year (Publication Volume:Number), and include a one-line summary. Click on the index link or scroll down to read the reports.
Cite this Report
Two crater lakes visited in December 2002
Geologist Raul Mora, along with Carlos Ramirez and Maritta Alvarado, visited Barva volcano during December 2002 and investigated the Barva and Copey crater lakes. Located in a small crater, the Barva crater lake (figure 1) was very clear; at 5 m from the shore the water had a temperature of 11-12°C with a pH of 4-5. Water in the Copey lake was amber colored and very cloudy, with a temperature at 0.5 m depth of 12.2°C and a pH of 5. Near-surface black lapilli deposits were found that were more than a meter thick near the Barva lake, but became more irregular in thickness around the Copey lake.
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Figure 1. Photograph of the Barva crater lake, December 2002. The lake has an area of 9,000 m2 and a depth of ~ 7.7 m. Courtesy of Raul Mora. |
Information Contacts: Raul Mora Amador, Red Sismologica Nacional, Laboratorio de Sismologia, Vulcanologia y Exploracion Geofisica, Universidad de Costa Rica, Apartado 214 (2060) UCR, San Jose, Costa Rica (URL: http://rsn.ucr.ac.cr/).
This compilation of synonyms and subsidiary features may not be comprehensive. Features are organized into four major categories: Cones, Craters, Domes, and Thermal Features. Synonyms of features appear indented below the primary name. In some cases additional feature type, elevation, or location details are provided.
Synonyms |
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| Barba | Tres Marías, Las | ||||
Cones |
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| Feature Name | Feature Type | Elevation | Latitude | Longitude |
| Achiotillal | Stratovolcano | |||
| Cacho Negro, Volcán | Stratovolcano | 2150 m | 10° 11' 38" N | 84° 2' 38" W |
| Caricias | Stratovolcano | 2100 m | ||
| Chompipe, Cerro | Stratovolcano | 2259 m | 10° 5' 2" N | 84° 4' 0" W |
| Concepción | Cone | 1706 m | 10° 3' 0" N | 84° 4' 19" W |
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Cruz, Monte de la
Lagunas, Las Redondo de la Cruz, Cerro |
Pyroclastic cone | 1862 m | 10° 3' 58" N | 84° 4' 41" W |
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Guararí
Concordia, Cerro la Inglés, Pico Cuerrizí |
Pyroclastic cone | 2599 m | 10° 8' 0" N | 84° 8' 0" W |
| Hondura | Stratovolcano | 2047 m | ||
| Tibas | Stratovolcano | 2179 m | 10° 4' 30" N | 84° 3' 18" W |
| Turú | Stratovolcano | 2139 m | 10° 3' 50" N | 84° 2' 6" W |
| Zurquí | Stratovolcano | 2010 m | 10° 3' 22" N | 84° 2' 13" W |
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There is data available for 1 confirmed Holocene eruptive periods.
[ 1867 Mar ] Uncertain Eruption
| Episode 1 | Eruption | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1867 Mar - Unknown | Evidence from Unknown | ||||||||||||||
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List of 1 Events for Episode 1
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6050 BCE ± 2000 years Confirmed Eruption VEI: 4
| Episode 1 | Eruption | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6050 BCE ± 2000 years - Unknown | Evidence from Correlation: Tephrochronology | |||||||||||||||||||
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List of 2 Events for Episode 1
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There is no Deformation History data available for Barva.
There is no Emissions History data available for Barva.
Volcán Barva has a broad summit containing three main peaks (top right) as seen here looking N from the Central Valley of Costa Rica. A large 2 x 3 km crater opens to the ESE behind the summit. A large Plinian eruption occurred at Barva during the early Holocene.
The SW peak of Barva has at least four volcanic cones. This cone contains the 70-m-wide Barva crater lake. Nineteenth-century visitors to the lagoon noted similar dense vegetation as seen today, discounting reports of earlier historical eruptions.
The summit area of Volcán Barva is composed of a series of overlapping cones with about a dozen vents. At the lower right is Danta cone with a small crater lake. Forest-covered lava flows can be seen to its left. Barva is the topographic high point of Braulio Carillo National Park.
Barva volcano rises to the east above the southern flanks of neighboring Poás volcano. The massive Barva volcano is dotted with numerous satellitic vents, some of which are visible along the irregular northern horizon (left). Multiple lava flows descend the southern flank of Barva. One of the more recent of these is the Los Angeles flow, which reaches nearly to the city of Heredia (out of view to the right). Barva is the only one of four major stratovolcanoes near the capital city of San José that lacks confirmed historical eruptions. 
The southern flank of Barva is in the foreground of this photo, with Irazú massif to the SE in the background. One of the youngest lava flows on Barva, the Los Angeles flow, traveled down the south flank almost as far as the city of Heredia. Barva and Irazú are visible from the nation's capital city, San José out of view to the right. Irazú is sometimes known as the "Colossus" due to its size and occasionally destructive eruptions. 
Barva volcano (also spelled Barba) rises to the NE above the western outskirts of San José. The volcano lies about 22 km north of the city. Three peaks along the broad summit ridge give rise to the name Las Tres Marías (The Three Marias). No confirmed historical eruptions are known from Barva, but thermal springs are found near Porrosati de Barva, Gongolona peak, and along ridges to the north side of the volcano. Sulfur vapor and mineral deposition occurs at landslide scarps on the flanks of the volcano.
The roughly 300-m-wide Barva crater lake is surrounded by dense forest. The clear waters of the shallow lake are about 8 m deep, and a pH of 4-5 was measured in December 2002. Maps are not currently available due to technical issues.
The following 116 samples associated with this volcano can be found in the Smithsonian's NMNH Department of Mineral Sciences collections, and may be availble for research (contact the Rock and Ore Collections Manager). Catalog number links will open a window with more information.
| Catalog Number | Sample Description | Lava Source | Collection Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| NMNH 115994-0 | Soil | -- | 1 May 1984 |
| NMNH 116066-494 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-495 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-496 | Tephra | -- | 2 May 1985 |
| NMNH 116066-497 | Tephra | -- | 2 May 1985 |
| NMNH 116066-498 | Andesite | -- | 2 May 1985 |
| NMNH 116066-499 | Tephra | -- | 2 May 1985 |
| NMNH 116066-500 | Tephra | -- | 2 May 1985 |
| NMNH 116066-501 | Tephra | -- | 2 May 1985 |
| NMNH 116066-502 | Tephra | -- | 2 May 1985 |
| NMNH 116066-521 | Tephra | -- | 2 Jun 1985 |
| NMNH 116066-522 | Tephra | -- | 2 Jun 1985 |
| NMNH 116066-523 | Tephra | -- | 2 Jun 1985 |
| NMNH 116066-524 | Tephra | -- | 2 Jun 1985 |
| NMNH 116066-525 | Tephra | -- | 2 Jun 1985 |
| NMNH 116066-526 | Tephra | -- | 2 Jun 1985 |
| NMNH 116066-527 | Tephra | -- | 2 Jun 1985 |
| NMNH 116066-528 | Tephra | -- | 2 Jun 1985 |
| NMNH 116066-529 | Tephra | -- | 2 Jun 1985 |
| NMNH 116066-530 | Tephra | -- | 2 Jun 1985 |
| NMNH 116066-531 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-532 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-533 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-534 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-535 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-536 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-537 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-538 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-539 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-541 | Volcanic Rock | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-544 | Tephra | -- | 2 Jun 1985 |
| NMNH 116066-545 | Tephra | -- | 2 Jun 1985 |
| NMNH 116066-546 | Tephra | -- | 2 Jun 1985 |
| NMNH 116066-547 | Volcanic Rock | -- | 2 Jun 1985 |
| NMNH 116066-548 | Tephra | -- | 2 Jun 1985 |
| NMNH 116066-549 | Tephra | -- | 2 Jun 1985 |
| NMNH 116066-550 | Tephra | -- | 2 Jun 1985 |
| NMNH 116066-551 | Tephra | -- | 2 Jun 1985 |
| NMNH 116066-552 | Tephra | -- | 2 Jun 1985 |
| NMNH 116066-615 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-616 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-617 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-618 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-619 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-620 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-621 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-622 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-623 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-624 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-625 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-626 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-627 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-628 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-629 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-630 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-631 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-632 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-633 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-634 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-635 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-636 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-637 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-638 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-639 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-640 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-641 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-642 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-643 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-650 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-651 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-652 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-653 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-654 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-655 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-656 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-657 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-658 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-659 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-660 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-661 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-662 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-663 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-664 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-665 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-666 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-667 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-668 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-669 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-671 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-672 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-673 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-674 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-675 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-676 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-677 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-678 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-679 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-680 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-681 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-682 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-683 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-684 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-685 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-717 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-718 | Tephra | -- | -- |
| NMNH 116066-866 | Tephra | -- | 25 Jun 1985 |
| NMNH 116066-867 | Volcanic Rock | -- | 25 Jun 1985 |
| NMNH 116066-868 | Xenolith | -- | 25 Jun 1985 |
| NMNH 116066-869 | Tephra | -- | 25 Jun 1985 |
| NMNH 116066-870 | Tephra | -- | 25 Jun 1985 |
| NMNH 116066-871 | Tephra | -- | 25 Jun 1985 |
| NMNH 116066-872 | Tephra | -- | 25 Jun 1985 |
| NMNH 116066-873 | Tephra | -- | 25 Jun 1985 |
| NMNH 116066-874 | Tephra | -- | 25 Jun 1985 |
| NMNH 116066-875 | Tephra | -- | 25 Jun 1985 |
| NMNH 116066-876 | Tephra | -- | 25 Jun 1985 |
| Copernicus Browser | The Copernicus Browser replaced the Sentinel Hub Playground browser in 2023, to provide access to Earth observation archives from the Copernicus Data Space Ecosystem, the main distribution platform for data from the EU Copernicus missions. |
| MIROVA | Middle InfraRed Observation of Volcanic Activity (MIROVA) is a near real time volcanic hot-spot detection system based on the analysis of MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) data. In particular, MIROVA uses the Middle InfraRed Radiation (MIR), measured over target volcanoes, in order to detect, locate and measure the heat radiation sourced from volcanic activity. |
| MODVOLC Thermal Alerts | Using infrared satellite Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data, scientists at the Hawai'i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawai'i, developed an automated system called MODVOLC to map thermal hot-spots in near real time. For each MODIS image, the algorithm automatically scans each 1 km pixel within it to check for high-temperature hot-spots. When one is found the date, time, location, and intensity are recorded. MODIS looks at every square km of the Earth every 48 hours, once during the day and once during the night, and the presence of two MODIS sensors in space allows at least four hot-spot observations every two days. Each day updated global maps are compiled to display the locations of all hot spots detected in the previous 24 hours. There is a drop-down list with volcano names which allow users to 'zoom-in' and examine the distribution of hot-spots at a variety of spatial scales. |
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WOVOdat
Single Volcano View Temporal Evolution of Unrest Side by Side Volcanoes |
WOVOdat is a database of volcanic unrest; instrumentally and visually recorded changes in seismicity, ground deformation, gas emission, and other parameters from their normal baselines. It is sponsored by the World Organization of Volcano Observatories (WOVO) and presently hosted at the Earth Observatory of Singapore.
GVMID Data on Volcano Monitoring Infrastructure The Global Volcano Monitoring Infrastructure Database GVMID, is aimed at documenting and improving capabilities of volcano monitoring from the ground and space. GVMID should provide a snapshot and baseline view of the techniques and instrumentation that are in place at various volcanoes, which can be use by volcano observatories as reference to setup new monitoring system or improving networks at a specific volcano. These data will allow identification of what monitoring gaps exist, which can be then targeted by remote sensing infrastructure and future instrument deployments. |
| Volcanic Hazard Maps | The IAVCEI Commission on Volcanic Hazards and Risk has a Volcanic Hazard Maps database designed to serve as a resource for hazard mappers (or other interested parties) to explore how common issues in hazard map development have been addressed at different volcanoes, in different countries, for different hazards, and for different intended audiences. In addition to the comprehensive, searchable Volcanic Hazard Maps Database, this website contains information about diversity of volcanic hazard maps, illustrated using examples from the database. This site is for educational purposes related to volcanic hazard maps. Hazard maps found on this website should not be used for emergency purposes. For the most recent, official hazard map for a particular volcano, please seek out the proper institutional authorities on the matter. |
| IRIS seismic stations/networks | Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) Data Services map showing the location of seismic stations from all available networks (permanent or temporary) within a radius of 0.18° (about 20 km at mid-latitudes) from the given location of Barva. Users can customize a variety of filters and options in the left panel. Note that if there are no stations are known the map will default to show the entire world with a "No data matched request" error notice. |
| UNAVCO GPS/GNSS stations | Geodetic Data Services map from UNAVCO showing the location of GPS/GNSS stations from all available networks (permanent or temporary) within a radius of 20 km from the given location of Barva. Users can customize the data search based on station or network names, location, and time window. Requires Adobe Flash Player. |
| DECADE Data | The DECADE portal, still in the developmental stage, serves as an example of the proposed interoperability between The Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program, the Mapping Gas Emissions (MaGa) Database, and the EarthChem Geochemical Portal. The Deep Earth Carbon Degassing (DECADE) initiative seeks to use new and established technologies to determine accurate global fluxes of volcanic CO2 to the atmosphere, but installing CO2 monitoring networks on 20 of the world's 150 most actively degassing volcanoes. The group uses related laboratory-based studies (direct gas sampling and analysis, melt inclusions) to provide new data for direct degassing of deep earth carbon to the atmosphere. |
| Large Eruptions of Barva | Information about large Quaternary eruptions (VEI >= 4) is cataloged in the Large Magnitude Explosive Volcanic Eruptions (LaMEVE) database of the Volcano Global Risk Identification and Analysis Project (VOGRIPA). |
| EarthChem | EarthChem develops and maintains databases, software, and services that support the preservation, discovery, access and analysis of geochemical data, and facilitate their integration with the broad array of other available earth science parameters. EarthChem is operated by a joint team of disciplinary scientists, data scientists, data managers and information technology developers who are part of the NSF-funded data facility Integrated Earth Data Applications (IEDA). IEDA is a collaborative effort of EarthChem and the Marine Geoscience Data System (MGDS). |
