Welcome To Turrialba

Title: Introduction to Turrialba Volcano, a "light" hike.

Authors: Aaron, Erin, Rachael, & Rob Collins

Word of the day: Soil Zonation- The process of sediment deposition over time, due primarily to natural disturbances (in this case volcanic eruptions). The different zones are defined by several attributes, including particle size and composition (which is often identified by color). An example of soil zonation can be seen in the picture below.

Soil zonation around skirt of Turrialba volcano

Today's Science: Today we hiked around the skirt of Turrialba volcano. The volcano releases an almost constant stream of sulfur rich fumes, which combine with water in the atmosphere and is released as acid rain. Where this acidic rain falls the vegetation is chemically burned, which also displaces animal life. However, when the land is not subject to acid rain for an extended period of time (due to changing wind patterns) the vegetation is restored.  How are these changing wind patterns often defined?

An example of severe chemical burns on the side of Turrialba as a result of acid rainfall.

Today's Culture: The area in which we are staying is inhabited by primarily by farmers and herders. A large part of their daily lives involves chores like the movement of livestock from field to field, which we witnessed this morning. Movement of livestock is vital to the maintenance of fields, because overgrazing can lead to loss of vegetation and eventually erosion of soils.

Cattle hooked to a cart used to haul supplies while farmers move livestock from field to field.

Farmers moving cattle to new grazing area on skirt of volcano.

Question of the day: What do the terms "leeward" and "windward" mean in reference to weather/wind patterns around mountains/volcanoes?

Stay tuned for more exciting news!