Mount Etna - Italy's Largest Active Volcano

On the east coastline of Sicily, Italy and near Catania and Messina, Mount Etna can be found. It is a stratovolcano and it is the largest active volcano in the whole of Europe. It is a legendary giant and its pyrotechnic displays have attracted people to Sicily for many centuries. Because of that, the Italy flag is invisibly sitting on top of Mount Etna.

Mount Etna presently stands approximately 10,991 feet or 3,350 meters high although it must be regarded that this changes with peak eruptions. This volcano is now 71 feet or 21.6 meters lower than what it was in the year 1865. It has an area of 460 square miles or 1190 square kilometres with 140 kilometres basal circumference. This size makes it definitely the largest among the three active volcanoes in Italy. It is almost three times the height of the next largest which is Mount Vesuvius. Mount Etna is one of the world's most active volcanoes and it is in a virtually continuous state of eruption. The lush volcanic soils sustain wide-ranging cultivation, with orchards and wineries reach throughout the lower slopes of the mountain as well as the wide Plain of Catania. Mount Etna has been chosen by the United Nations as one of the Decade Volcanoes. Meaning, it is one of the 16 volcanoes known by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior (IAVCEI) as worthwhile of actual study because of its history of great, destructive eruptions as well as its being in close proximity to inhabited places.

Pollux Parker is an adventurer who loves discovering secret island getaways in each country he visits. Pollux also likes to collect Italian flag and buy Italian flag for sale.

Paricutin Volcano

On February 20, 1943, a crack began in Dionisio Pulido's cornfield. The trees shivered and the Earth got swollen. The exterior of the earth lifted itself to a height of approximately 150 feet. Vestiges, very fine dust particles and gray smoke started rising from the pointed creation. The earth perpetually whistled a noisy murmur as though it was crying in pain. The stink of sulfur was hanging deep in the air. That very night the lava made a bombarded attack on the cornfields, giving beginning to the stunning Paricutin Volcano.

The volcano gets its well-known name from the community of Paricutin, which presently is buried beneath its lava. The complete village was transferred to an unoccupied area close by. Shockingly, only three casualties have been recorded in the complete history of volcanic outbreak of the Paricutin. Most important volcanic movement of the Paricutin was observed till 1952. At present, the volcanic mountain rests at a elevation of nearly 424 meters. The ashes cone has been calm since that time.

In the initial eight years, the outbreaks were smooth and the lava would cover up merely about a 25 km open area of land. On the other hand, the most recent eruption, which took place in 1952, is recognized to have been the most cruel and explosive one. Even though the Mexican land is well-known for its volcanic activity, the entrance of this new volcano flabbergasted the scientists. However; it is Paricutin which has given volcanologists and scientists an opportunity to learn the birth, life and passing away of a volcano. The death of a volcano involves its extermination and thus also the conclusion of its eruptions.

The Brutal volcano killed nearly 4,000 ranch animals and about 500 horses died of inhaling volcanic ashes. Many cane-boring worms were swept out and this damaged cane plantations. Along with this, humans too underwent breathing problems. When the rains drained away the mountain full of ashes, the ash damaged the dams and silted the agricultural fields. The agricultural land close to the volcano developed into an infertile land, as it had a good content of ash. When the volcanic action stopped, the plant and animal life was reasonably reinstated.

The Mount Paricutin, to be found in Michoacan, Mexico, has developed into a visitors attraction. The spectacular countryside has enthralled many souls. The zigzag ways, glitzy black soil, quiet ambiance and inspiring views makes any nature devotee fall in love with the destination

Author is an associate editor for New 7 Wonders Of World. Get all possible information about Ancient New 7 Wonders and New7Wonders Of NaturalWorld. We also provide information about online hotel reservation, Holiday Packages India and Flights Booking in India.

Mayon Volcano

With its magnificent and captivating symmetric cone-shaped perfectly molded by nature, Bicolano's very own and famous landmark Mayon Volcano competes with the world's best, along with the other three chosen scenic sots from the Philipines for Nature's New Seven Wonders. The vocano's natural and eco-tourism features were the factors considered by the organizers of this prestigious worldwide competition in picking it as an official nominee.

Possible Effects

Department of Tourism- Bicol and the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office- Albay envision coniderable income that will be generated of the region's wll-known landmaek will be hailed as one of the New Seven Wonder of Nature. "This will surely push Bicol particularly Albay forward in the tourism industry and will be promoted more to the world if luckily included in this newet search for Nature's Wonders," Maria "Nini" Ravanilla, Regional Director of DOT Bicol said. According to Ravanilla, since 2006 the tourism in Albay has declined because of the typhoons that devastated and almost left the place lifeless particularly Milenyo and Reming. The top spot where it used to occupy has suddenly been grabbed by Camarines Sur and now only ranks second in terms of tourism revenues. Through the advent of this rare chance where Mayon can possibly acquire a marvelous spot in the world's map, Ravanilla is positive that Albay will be again at par in promoting tourism in the region and will open its door wider for tourist from different parts of the world. Moreover, more tourists will likely mean more jobs for Bicolanos and more earnings for some entrepreneurs in the locality who sold items and products which are proudly Bicol-made. Pat Noveno of Camalig, Albay who is into selling products out of Pili for years said that his income is not consistently good especially nowadays where affecting factors like price increase of basic commodities and the tremendous oil-price hike are prevalent. Though not that directly, he admitted that busine like his,is likewise affected since most people would normally opt to buy only the basic things they truly need. Small time businessman like Pat is just one of the many who can get benefited if more tourists will come and visit the region. This will not only mean inviting the tourists to see the region's landmark but also producing potencial buyers for the products of Bicol.

Cultural Significance

Ravanilla also pointed out that beyond the seemingly overwhelming graces that will pour into Bicol region if Mayon will make it, is the cultural heritage awakening and sense of regionalism in the hearts of the Bicolanos. As she puts it, there is more to the revenues that will be yielded, and that is the cultural awareness that will be revived to those who are oblivious of Mayon's importance to their lives. The Mayon Volcano which has stood the test of time and older than any man who had lived or presently living around its foot, has been continuously a deaf and mute witness of the significant events unfolding within it premises. Thus, its an indispensable landmark in Bicol's culture and history and the root of its past and future. The remarkable prestige that Mayon has reached for being a contender somehow reminds its forgetful people of its genuine function to their culture. Much more if the Bicolanos' icon will be part of Natures' seven Wonders, it will restore the apparent loss of value for cultural legacy of the region's dwellers. Also, the whole world will be able to take a glimpse of the rich culture of Bicolanos through Mayon.

Campaign Moves

In the great pursuit of placing Mayon Volcano on the world's map, DOT-Bicol, the Provincial Government of Albay and the City Government of Legazpi exhausted efforts they believe are necessary to better campaign the region's pride. The posters and the tarpaulins posted in the streets of Legazpi and Albay, in public and private offices, in different schools and campuses around the region and anywhere else were DOT's way to get into the public's consciousness the good news and at the same time to ask their full support. Mayor Noel Rosal has his own version of this kind of posters with his face placed beside the image of the volcano, trying to persuade the people like a political candidate to cast their votes for Mayon. The DOT, through its director has coordinated with the different departments in the region to request for their cooperation and complete support in their drive of bringing Mayon Volcano on top. In particular, it focuses its campaign more on the Department of Education and Comission on Higher Education for these to serve as intruments of promoting Mayon better to the students. Since the DOT likewise wanted the Overseas Filipino Workers especially the Bicolanos to be aware of Mayon's fight and earn their support, it found a way to campaign to the OFW's around the world through the internet. "There's no way they couldn't vote since voting is done on-line," Ravanilla said. Her department was able to campaign through the net in Canada, USA, and Australia whre great number of Filipinos are working and living for good. Ravanilla even did campaign Mayon personally to some tourists who visited the region like the Koreans and Americans. She said she'll do the same everytime foreigners come to the place. However, the director admitted that there is no sufficient budget to advertise Mayon in local and national television which she thinks will promote mayon more to a greater ublic. Luckily through KBP's help, some sort of endorserments are being done in radio stations, both AM and FM regionwide. She just hopes that prominent politicians who are Bicolano by blood like Senator Chiz Escudero and Joker Arroyo will be kind to do a little favor to campaign Mayon Volcano in their interviews. "It would only take a matter of seconds to fo that," she said smilingly.

Fight of the Youth

Ravanilla furthermore emphasized that Mayon's present significant struggle means more to the youth or the present generation whose shoulders lie the responsibility of taking care their culture's heritage. This is more of their fight which they must triumph. It's a fact that today's youth have easier access to the internet and mostly have e-mails so casting one's vote is way too easy. It would'nt take much of somebody's time and effort and would'nt even hurt someone's pocket. It's jut a click away. Why not engage into something worthwhile like doing a small yet great favor to the region's heritage that will surely develop someone's sense of nationalism and regionalism. At the end of the day, it is really the reent generation who will benefit more than this. According to Ravanilla, that is the reason why they've demanded more help and cooperation from DepEd and CHED. They want the youth to take part and take the lead in winning Mayon's fight to be one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

It isn't too late

There is still an ample time of making the Bicolano's dream for Mayon possible. As of this writing, the volcano is on the 9th spot, its peak since it became a nominee. Voting will be until the end of this year for the top 21 so the region's contender has higher chance of even climbing up. By then, only the remaining 21 will have the chance to compete in the next stage of voting which will happen throughout 2009 and 2010. Finally, in the autumn of 2010, the 7 finalit that grnered the most votes will be officially declared as the New Seven Wonders of Nature. Ravanilla is confident that with the relentless efforts they're executing and the continuous cooperation and support of not just the Bicolanos but all the Filipinos, Mayon Volcano and other 3 contnders from the Philippines namely: the Chocolate Hills, Tubatahha Reef and the Subterranean River, will be altogether drawn in the renowned map of the world.

Paradox of the Event

Despite the vigorous drive being shown by the Provincial Government of Albay to win Mayon's battle for prestige, ot is funny yet worthy to note that it somehow fails to notice some simple flaws that lie beneath the volcano's foot, that in turn might cause adverse effects. The Mayon Resthouse, which is supposed to be a perfect place for tourist who would want to have closer and better view od the volcano is not really that suitable for resting. Reports showed that the comfort rooms of the place will avail no use for someone's peronal needs. Nobody wouldn't want to experience this inconvenience especially the tourists. Another, the Plantarium located near Mayon which prior to typhoon Reming's devastation is still unrepaired and unavailable. It should have been a perfect haven for families and lovers. So, some would ak, how come the provincial Government has great courage promoting and campaigning Mayon if it appears disregarding this simple problems that might be discovered by some tourists and change their good impression on the place? The good news is that it isn't too late for them to fix these thing which they might have just overlooked. Will they still wait until a bunch of foreigners discover it before doing the right action?

In the Year 1816 - Tamboran Volcano Causes "The Year Without a Summer"

1816 - The Year That Tambora (1815) Was Felt Around the World

There are several reasons the "Year Without A Summer" occurred. We were having the "Dalton Minimum" - a period of low sun spot activity causing cold in general and there were four other volcanoes which preceded the Tambora one.

To sum it up: The Tambora was the largest eruption in recorded history. It blew its top on April 10, 1815. While the April 10 eruption was catastrophic, historical records and geological analysis of eruption deposits indicate that the volcano had been active between 1812 and 1815. With all of the other effects of the multiple volcanic outbursts, enough ash was put into the atmosphere to cause global cooling. This caused, in 1816 --- the "Year Without A Summer."

In May of 1816, the cold weather jumped on the young plants in the northeast and killed the crops that had been planted. June 4 was the big dramatic day; frosts were reported in Connecticut and New England. A cold front had a hold on the entire area. On June 6, snow fell in upper state New York and Maine. Farther north in Quebec City, a foot of snow fell and finished off most of their crops. The malnutrition, starvation and epidemic that followed caused what people call a "famine". This weather pattern played out very dramatically in the northern climes, and powerfully impacted the American and European economies and population health.

Not Only Tambora, But Four Other Volcanoes From 1812 to 1814

The big Tambora volcano on the Island of Sumbawa, of the Dutch East Indies, was one dramatic "blow" with an explosivity index of 7. But what probably directly contributed, along with the Dalton Minimum, were the more minor Tambora volcanoes between 1812 and 1814 and 4 other earthquakes with explosivity indexes of 4 in the below.

In the Caribbean, in 1812, on the Island of Soufriere there was a volcano. Indonesia experienced a volcano on the Sanghihe Islands in 1812. The Ryukyu Islands in Japan experienced one in 1813, and then the Phillippines on Mayon in 1814. These were not as immense as Tambora, but they were not lightweights either. There was much accumulated ash by the time Tambora blew.

American Western Expansion Commences - Joseph Smith's Family Leaves Vermont

The crop failures of the "Year Without A Summer" forced the family of Joseph Smith to move from Sharon, Vermont to Palmyra, New York. In western New York, the entire history of the birth of the Mormon Church began when factors combined to have Joseph experience his visions. From western New York, the Mormons then began a series of migrations that took them to the mid west, and then because of persecution and social unrest brought upon the Mormons, they finally fled to Utah, in a kind of Exodus to a "promised land", under the leadership of Brigham Young, a man whose family also came from the western New York area.

Western New York became an important destination from New England because of this weather. People decided to pick up and move since they were contemplating moving west anyway. The cold weather combined with a sense of "population explosion" or "feeling crowded", if you can believe it, moved upon the settlers and farmers in New England. 15 years later, in the 1830's, with many New Englanders already having left their original homes, because of the volcano, there began the biggest migration not caused by a war, in all of history.

The area of the mid west was absolutely wide open and there for the settling. Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota all began to be settled by this "puritan" population which was originally from the New England area. The name "puritan" as a sociological ethnic designation (not necessarily religious, per se, they were now Protestant, Episcopalian and other groups) began during this time when they seemed to head en masse toward western climes. Ultimately the entire northern tier of the west, all the way to Seattle, was settled by this same peaceful migration of New England "puritans".

Europe is Frigid

Europe, at this time, was still recovering from Napoleon and the destruction his last "Waterloo" brought to the whole area. Food riots happened in the UK and France. Since Switzerland is landlocked, it got the worst of the famine. Huge storms, much rainfall, jamming the major rivers, notably the Rhine flooding and freezing happened, and then a big frost in August of 1816 added to the calamities. And don't think it was over because of the "Year Without A Summer". Precipitating famine, disease, lack and hardship caused a typhus epidemic between 1816 and 1819. Probably over 200,000 people perished during this period; (Ireland and Switzerland being the most impacted with population mortality).

Lack of Oats Might Have Spawned Invention

Under the category: "Necessity is the Mother of Invention", the velocipede, the ancestor of the modern bicycle was invented right after this time. Karl Drais was the man. The lack of oats caused by the famine at that time, to feed horses, may have inspired him. Modern personal transportation is all dependent upon oats. (Foreshadowing a dependency on oil). This obvious relationship might have caused a realization, and thus an inventive spark and "flash of genius", as inventions are spawned in similar kinds of situations.

Brown Snow, Red Snow, and "Frankensteinian" Weather

The eruption of Tambora also caused the Hungarian region to experience brown snow during the summer. Not too far away, Italy got something akin to brown snow. Red snow, throughout the year, was said to have fallen there. Of course the accumulation of five volcanoes in the recent past is believed to have been the cause for the "ash-colored" snow.

Partying in Rainy Stormy Switzerland Forces Literary Friends to a Writing Contest

When you plan a trip to Switzerland in the Summer, you are envisioning bright sunshine, yellow and pink blossoms adorning the hillsides and low humidity air to fill your lungs. However, in July of 1816 Mary Shelley, Lord Byron, John William Polidori and friends were forced to stay inside and stare through the windows at soggy, cold, unfriendly Switzerland. It drove them a bit batty. Amidst boozy boredom, they came up with the idea of a writing contest. Byron came up with a poem: "Darkness". Polidori, "The Vampyre"; and Shelley a story about a "Modern Prometheus", who would be fashioned by the now famous fictional "Dr. Frankenstein". Though it was finished and published in 1818, it was spawned at that place, during the "Year Without A Summer".

Frankenstein, Now a Horror Movie, Then a Feminist and Anti-Scientific Tome

Mary took the opportunity to make several profound points in her tale. She made arguments concerning science and its abuses and many undertones and symbols that had to do with feminism. Shelley's mother, Mary Wollenstonecraft was the author of a well-known feminist text and undoubtedly influenced her daughter.

Mary Wollenstonecraft Godwin married Percy Bysshe Shelley, a poet and member of an established English family. He died relatively soon after they married in Italy. Her life was filled with struggle, but she wrote and wrote, and established herself after that strange summer in Switzerland, where her writing fame was born. Mary wrote a novel, which ended up being her best-knowm after "Frankenstein". It was called "The Last Man", written in 1826. She sets a story in the 21st Century, in which mankind is destroyed. It is described as an early form of science fiction; and still, some might say, could be strangely prophetic.

A Notable Dark Decade

The decade from 1811 to 1820 was heavily marked by real and powerful socioeconomic impacts. Malnutrition, poor agricultural production and spreading mild to severe regional and local epidemics had punishing effects on European and Mediterranean countries. With the end of the Napoleonic conflicts to boot, this was a very difficult decade, especially in Europe. The very low and freezing states experienced most extremely in 1816 and 1817 affected crop growth quite dramatically and thus reduced the general state of economic health, throughout European countries, greatly at that time. With post war economic collapse and historic cold and famine, it was a dark and poverty-filled decade.

Ironically Dickens and Marx Born During This Time

Both of these men were born during this decade. One in England, the other in Germany. Charles Dickens, the English Author, wrote about heroic struggle with poverty. He has been immortalized by "The Christmas Carol", "Oliver Twist" and "Great Expectations". Karl Marx came up with an entire political philosophy for dealing with poverty. He wrote "A Manifesto of The Communist Party" along with Engels. His ideas and work can be said to have affected millions of people in the early 20th century and today.

Both of these men grew up in poverty and carried on their adult lives constantly and profoundly addressing the social and political and personal effects of poverty. While Tambora and the time of Volcanoes and the Dalton Minimum can not be said to directly affect these two gentlemen, inasmuch as multiple societal, political and industrial factors were all at play at this time, there is still a strong symbolic case of irony that can make one infer that this "Volcano Time", Tambora, the Dalton Minimum and the "Year Without A Summer" still affect us today.

Christofer French is the Founder of Astrologygetalong.com.

http://www.astrologygetalong.com

The El Teide Volcano - Tenerife's Sleeping Giant!

Belonging to the Canary Island group, Tenerife is a unique volcanic island which is one of the largest of its kind in the world. Home to the dormant Mount El Teide volcano, this ancient island gives visitors a chance to explore the area's lunar like landscapes and experience the stunning natural beauty that surrounds it.

The imposing Mount El Teide which rises 3,718 metres above sea level is Spain's highest mountain and it is little wonder that it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the region. Situated near the Montana Blanca and Pico Viejo areas, Mount El Teide is set amidst the 18,900 hectare Teide National Park which boasts of spectacular flora and fauna that call this part of Tenerife home.

Those finding accommodation at Tenerife apartments and hotels in Puerto de la Cruz and Playa de las Americas can catch the local TITSA bus service which connects these areas to Teide. Visitors planning to ascend the volcano can do so by cable car, by foot or by a combination of both.

Taking the Teleferico Cable Car is the easiest way to head up Mount El Teide and though the service does not run all the way to the peak, the bird's eye view that awaits passengers is truly awe inspiring. The eight minute ride stops off at the La Rambleta area which is only around 200 metres from the summit and those who have obtained permits can trek their way to the top.

Diehard adventurers wanting to truly experience Mount El Teide and its natural volcanic setting can alternatively plan to hike up to the summit by foot. Starting from Montana Blanca, this mountain path is demanding as it is breathtaking and the six hour climb is no walk in the park! Visitors planning to take on the challenge should keep in mind that as the path reaches higher altitudes breathing becomes less easy and those with heart conditions should be wary. As mentioned before, it is worth remembering that one needs to get a permit (given free of charge) from the Administration Office of the Teide National Park (in Santa Cruz de Tenerife) in order to reach the peak.

Outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers wanting to maximize their time exploring the wide variety of flora and fauna at the surrounding Teide National Park should look to stay at apartments and Hotels in Tenerife that are within easy reach of this naturally rich area.

Despite the rugged landscape of Mount El Teide, one will find a surprisingly diverse array of plant life that have adapted to the seemingly inhospitable conditions. Home to Canary Island pine and cedar trees, the Teide National Park is also where one can discover such plant varieties as the Teide Edelweiss, the Teide Daisy, the Dwarf Bugloss and the Canary Island Wallflower. Some of these species are endemic to the area and make the park a rich repository of Tenerife's natural wealth.

Those interested in wildlife will also have plenty to see and discover at the Teide National Park. This is especially the case when it comes to insects since the park has become a home to over 700 species! Among the many animal, insect and reptile species one may come across when enjoying a trek include beetles, butterflies, the Canary Island Lizard, rabbits, wasps, the Algerian hedgehog and honey bees.

No matter where ones Tenerife apartment or hotel is, making a trip to the Mount El Teide volcano and its national park is well worth the time and effort. Those wanting to find out more about what one can see and do in the area can refer "Discovering Tenerife's Mount El Teide Volcano & National Park."

Larry Austin is a freelance journalist and who writes on topics related to travel, hotels and destination reviews. He is currently working for RoomsNet.com. Tenerife is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Spain and RoomsNet.com is a specialist for Hotels in Tenerife. You may view Tenerife Hotels here classified under many themes.

Pinatubo Monster - The Volcano Lake Serpent

In the Philippines, near the town Buhawen (which is a mining town), there lives a large serpent-like creature that is currently making life dreadful for the locals. This creature is said to be around 7 feet long, with a width of roughly 3 feet. Although some people claim that this might just be mass hysteria or a case of mistake identity, the Aeta have assured everyone that this creature cannot be an eel, a large fish, or any other creature that is usually found in the river basin. This is because, according to the people, they know the river and they know the organisms on it and this creature is something new and something that scares them.

The very first sighting of the Pinatubo Monster was on November 5, 2002, when a young boy playing in the river noticed what he initially thought were logs floating in the water. Once he approached it to play with it, the serpent-like creature showed its true form, which caught the boy by surprise and thus, he gave out a loud shriek. This scream attracted other Aetas but when they got to the boy, the creature had swam away, bothered by the screaming. In January 12, 2003 there were a multitude of eyewitness accounts of seeing the serpent-like creature in the river basin.

After these incidents, the Aetas have taken drastic measures in protecting their people. They now forbade playing and bathing in the river to avoid any incidents with the creature. Unfortunately, these people are fisher folk but with the entrance of the monster into their workplace, they have been forced to abandon their livelihood. In fact, the situation is so bad that the Aetas have now relied on captured frogs and other small animals for their sustenance.

The Aetas believe that there is a wide government cover-up of the whole Pinatubo Monster incident. This is because, when they asked for the local government's help, they were either told that the monster was merely a school of fish, or they were made to go around in circles through bureaucratic red tape. Some people also believe that the government is covering up the effects of the dumping of toxic materials by the mining companies from the near by village.

No matter what is in that river basin or what caused it, one thing is for sure; there is something in those waters. There is something large and intimidating enough to drive people out.

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Robert W. Benjamin has been in the software business since the 1970's on the C64, AMIGA, and WINDOWS Computer Systems. He has won magazine awards for the 'Game of the Month', and more, in several European computer magazines.

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Volcano Hunting in Guatemala - Hot Stuff

If geography classes never used to excite you, Guatemala will change all that. Sitting on the boundary between two tectonic plates, the country is host to over 30 volcanoes of all shapes, sizes and states of activity. If you ever wanted to see what the inside of our planet is like and what happens when it decides to make an appearance, Guatemala is for you. From the thrill seeking adrenaline junkies that want to stand next to flowing lava to those wanting to see the lush tree-covered volcanic slopes rising above the gorgeous Lake Atitlan, there's something for everyone.

Active volcanoes - Bubbling Hot
If you want to feel like you're inside a National Geographic Channel episode, you couldn't go wrong with a visit to the following active volcanoes.

1) Pacaya
Pacaya is an active volcano located within easy reach, just 30 kilometers (20 miles) south of Guatemala City. A short hike brings visitors to the summit, where they can observe eruptions of ash and lava at close range. Some even return with stories of how walking over the upper slopes melted the soles of their shoes...

2) Fuego
Constantly spewing small ash clouds, this monstrous volcano's last major eruption occurred in 1974. To hike up barren slope is grueling, and most visitors will be content to admire Fuego's beauty from the safety of Antigua's cobblestone streets.

3) Santiaguito
The most dangerous volcano in Central America, Santiaguito first erupted on Volcano Santa Maria's southern flank in 1922. It constantly spews spectacular ash clouds and lava, and may be safely observed from nearby Santa Maria's summit. The hike to the top of Santa Maria takes about 4 hours and camping on the summit is recommended, to witness a spectacular nighttime lava show from Santiaguito below.

Dormant volcanoes - Keeping Us Guessing
They can't promise booming gas eruptions or spewing lava, but these volcanoes are just as impressive to visit.

1) Acatenango
Acatenango's last eruption was in 1972, so you can climb all the way to the summit without dodging lava flows. One of the most beautiful and varied hikes available, you'll pass through entirely different ecosystems on the way to the summit. First farmland, then cloud forest followed by high alpine forest and finally the volcanic zone to the very summit.

2) Agua
Looming over the pretty colonial town of Antigua, a climb up this volcano is recommended for spectacular views. Hiking time is about 5 hours from Santa Maria de Jesus, or 2 hours from the end of road that climbs partway to the top.

3) Atitlan
The tallest of the three volcanoes dominating the stunning lake with which it shares its name, Atitlan's summit takes about 8 hours to reach; the reward is a breathtaking view of the world's most beautiful lake and Guatemala's Pacific coast.

Extinct volcanoes - Just Big Hills
Their glory days as unstoppable forces of nature may be gone, but the volcanoes left by ancient activity still have plenty to offer the visitor, especially in the way of flora and fauna left undisturbed by any activity.

1) San Pedro
Perhaps the most frequently photographed of all Guatemala's volcanoes, San Pedro's beautiful cone seems to rise from the waters of Lake Atitlan. The hike to the top takes about 4 hours, and while visitors will not get great views due heavy vegetation on the summit, the crater serves as refuge for rarely encountered species of plants and animals.

2) Toliman
One of the three volcanoes, along with Atitlan and San Pedro, that forms the natural dam holding in Lake Atitlan, Toliman has its own delights to offer. A small group of rare Horned Guans survives in the forest near the summit and hikers should plan on camping out for a good chance of sighting the birds.

3) Cerro de Oro
A smaller volcano on the south side of Lake Atitlan provides an interesting mix of geography and history, having once contained a Mayan fortress in its crater.

Getting to know the varied and spectacular geography of Guatemala will undoubtedly be an adventure, but that doesn't mean you should take unnecessary risks. If the lure of the active volcanoes should take your fancy, ensure that you book a tour with a reputable and responsible agency that provides you with a professional guide. This way you'll make sure that you will have nothing but incredible memories and photos of some of the most incredible and unique experiences that Latin America has to offer.

Gary Sargent is the Managing Director of the tour companies Escaped to Peru and Escaped to Latin America and has lived in South America for over 10 years. Gary is passionate about life here, the people, customs and places. Visit his website to learn more information about Guatemala or to look at tours in Guatemala.

Can an Ancient Volcano Cool the Earth?

According to some researchers, after the eruption of the volcano Toba, the Earth suffered a drop in temperatures around 10 ° C. From Rutgers University in New Jersey, there are new studies that seem to discredit these theories.

About 74,000 years ago, a volcano in the Sumatra Island, the gigantic Toba began to emit steam from the top, signs of strong ongoing activities. It erupted with the emission of rocks and other materials a thousand times greater than those erupted in 1980 from Mount St. Helens in Washington State.

Previous studies argue that, following the eruption, a long process of the Earth's climate cooling started, decreasing the temperature about 10 ° C. The main cause is thought to be due to greenhouse gases emitted by the volcano, together with carbon dioxide and sulphur. The latter, when combined with water vapour, spread sulphate on the terrestrial globe in the form of aerosols, delaying the journey to Earth of the solar radiation and cooling the air until the formation of acid rain and snow.

It was the start of an ice age that lasted about 1000 years and that may have led to a "volcanic winter", causing famine and a drastic reduction of the population over time. Some geneticists believe that it has had a catastrophic effect on human life, reducing Earth's population to just a few thousand people.

But the models developed by NASA and the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado, does not endorse these theories, because the climate simulations have not reproduced the hypothesized glaciation.

Alan Robock of Rutgers University has conducted some simulations based on advanced models that include the effects of the death of vegetation due to the radiation and chemical reactions that simulate the condition of the volcanic origin cloud. The purpose of the study was to investigate additional mechanisms that could have improved and/or have extended the effects of the eruption of Toba.

The Robock's team simulated injections of aerosols (obtained by sulphur dioxide) in the processes, ranging from 33 to 900 times the quantities found for the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991, but no glaciation was obtained from these simulations. The results, published in the Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres, speak only of cooler climate for several decades. It was assumed therefore that the cold spell that lasted for 1000 years, follows a natural cycle, like the other dozen ice ages of the past.

Climatologist Ellen Mosley-Thompson of Ohio State University in Columbus says that according to this research, volcanic eruptions are excluded from being mentioned as one of the main causes of glaciation of the Earth. For this reason, the scientists should concentrate their studies more on changes in ocean circulation or cyclical variations on the Earth's orbit around the Sun

And if Toba erupted today as it did in the past? It would be a disaster.

Robock and his colleagues estimated that a big eruption would lower global temperatures about 17 ° C for several years, followed by decades to return to normal conditions. This could affect the human population reducing agricultural production and vegetation, causing lack of food, famine and death.

Two years after the Tsunami, the Toba volcano resumed its activity with harmonic tremor. Some scientists say it will again be a candidate to become a super volcano in 2012.

According with the results of these studies, let's hope that this does not happen.

Fabio Rizzo is the webmaster of a new UK price comparison service Priceandoffer: insert your products FREE. If you want to see the 10 most beautiful places to visit before they disappear, click here

Taal Volcano - Visiting a Unique Island Volcano

On the largest island of the Philippines, Luzon rises the Taal Volcano, an active volcano located in San Nicolas and Talisay in Batangas. Consisting of an island in Lake Taal situated inside a caldera that was previously formed by an enormous eruption, the island volcano is about 50km from the city of Manila, the capital of the Philippines.

Taal Volcano has been erupting a large number of times and several of those times violently. These eruptions have caused loss of life and property in the vicinity with a considerable death toll estimated to be approximately 5000-6000 casualties. Despite the alarming numbers, it is considered to be an great place to visit when it is calm and in it's less active state due to the elements that make this island quite unique.

Geological Information

The Lake Taal being located in in the Philippines, forms part of a chain of volcanos the lie along the western side of Luzon island. These volcanoes created by the subduction of the Eurasian Plate beneath the Philippine Mobile Belt are now either active or dormant in nature. The Lake of Taal which houses the volcano lies inside a 25 to 30km caldera which was formed by four violent and high intensity eruptions anywhere approximately 500,000 to 100,000 years ago.

Ever since the caldera's formation, subsequent eruptions eventually created one more volcanic island inside the caldera. This island is known as Volcanic Island and has an area of about 23 square kilometers that consist of craters and overlapping cones. So far 47 different craters and cones have been identified to be on the island.

The Crater and the Inner Island

Volcano Island already a volcanic island also contains a lake which is about 2km across on it is largest axis, this lake is called Crater Lake. Crater Lake a calm and serene warm body of water has inside it yet another volcanic island, and this is called Volcanic Point. This specific volcanic island is known to be the world's biggest island within a lake on an island within a lake on an island

These elements of Taal Volcano makes it a unique place to visit when it is not on it's most active state. There have been 33 recorded eruptions since 1572, now it lies in a dormant state and has been so since 1977 although the volcano has been showing signs of unrest since 1991. This has been evident with relatively strong seismic activity, ground fracturing events, and the formation of small mud geysers within the different parts of the island.

Even with the apparent state of unrest the volcano is experiencing, there has been a lot of visits to the island not only by the volcanologists and scientists, but also by the tourists and media. Lake Taal presents a unique opportunity to visit one of the wonders of nature which has taken hundreds and thousands of years to create, this uniqueness alone makes this an great place in Paradise Philippines [http://paradisephilippines.continentalgirl.com/places/taal-volcano-the-worlds-largest-island-within-a-lake-on-an-island-within-a-lake-on-an-island] to visit for the more adventurous and curious.

Luvi Marie Corcuera is the Editor of Informational sites such as:

Hydroponics Gardening and Home Improvement [http://www.houseimprovementguide.com]

Volcano Fitness

Volcanoes lie dormant, in most cases, for decades.

Massive piles of rock sitting static on the outside; but full of a brimming fire in the underbelly.

The catalyst of earth plates shifting creates a motivation that causes the mammoth structure to erupt with a force that shakes cities and an energy palpable for miles.

But as quickly as it started, the volcano retreats to its dormancy once again, almost immediately.

Topographic science notwithstanding, the reasoning is simple...

The motivating forces that compel these ancient structures to burst are completely and entirely unsustainable.

The chaotic and unbridled enthusiasm put forth by the volcano upon eruption requires far too much energy to maintain and the deviation from the laws of tranquility that exist in nature too strong to allow the madness to continue for any length of time.

In terms of the natural world, that's a good thing.

But in the perspective of your fitness goals, it's very, very bad...

Does it sound familiar?

You've finally reached a point of 'fed up'.

The motivating forces are igniting the fire that lives inside of you to want more for yourself.

After weeks, months or years of inactivity and dormant lifestyle, you awake with a burst of action.

Compelled and determined to make 'this time' the attempt in which you finally reach your fitness goals, you opt for a regime hefty in dietary discipline and abundant exercise.

But just as quickly as the motivation got you off the coach, it disappears.

And you find yourself nestled back in front of the TV every night, frustrated and defeated (yet again), but pledging different.... Next time.

Fitness sustainability is about taking small bites.

One step at a time.

Progression over time.

The inspiration to succeed and reach your goals with never dwindle when you carry the perspective that it is a marathon and not a sprint to the finish.

Take your time.

Enjoy the process.

And forever, remember my critical less on 'Kaizen'....

A refresher may be in order -------> Read this again For the first time.

Decide,

Donovan Owens
THE Boot Camp Godfather

Donovan Owens, is a Fitness Professional from Hutto, Texas, and invites you to connect with him over at his blog http://iDecideFitness.com/Blog and while you're there pick up his FREE Rapid Fat Loss Report.

In the Shadow of the Volcano - World Poetry

We have always lived
in the shadow of the volcano,
looming on the horizon,
like a sleeping, smoldering furnace,

like a fierce warrior-
that suddenly promises to rise
beautiful, billowing smoke rising gracefully,
ascending-

from within its folds,
clouds of escaping heat,
earth's boiling overloads
in the morning,

Dawn-
painted powder blue,
charcoal gray
in the evening,

Sunset-
painted gold hues,
end of the closing day
the volcano hasn't erupted-
in many years,
but still my heart
has lingering fears

when the roof was once-
covered in ash,
I wasn't sure
the city would last

like a voice from the past,
like my heart beating fast,
like something I can never forget

but the head of the volcano
returned to its shell,
and the town we have grown to love
remained-
us as well

we have always lived
in the shadow of the volcano,
every morning I rise,
eat breakfast
go to school

I always lift my head on the way,
to see if the mountain
is hot or cool,

when I disappear
into the walls where I study all day,
I worry sometimes
considerably-

how long we can continue
to live this way
we have always lived
in the shadow of the volcano

when I eat my tortillas for lunch,
yellow, white or blue corn,

I hope and pray we are on this earth
for a long time-

I hope to see
the Mexican sun
continue to shine

I dream of being a doctor one day,
-and I would help all of the children,
someplace very far away
the town that goes about its business-

busy hive of bees,
but in the air is a smell-
strangely unique
the city at times
is most serious,

twitching like a baton,
conducting a song
strange and mysterious
an eagle ready to dive-
a baby ready to cry, sharp-

like the cutting of a knife
the volcano reminds me
of the preciousness of life,
of using each day wisely
the turning hand of time

we have always lived
in the shadow of the volcano
I stay in this town
because I have nowhere else to go,
it is our only home.

Popocatepetl, Mexico

Dawn of a New Discovery: Inspiring World Poems
This is a small collection of poems, original and from several sources, that is hoped to inspire interest in writing and reading poetry. The poetry presents a kaleidoscope of ideas concerning lands, spirituality, children and youths, oppression and violence, school life and struggles, as well as painting a picture of hope.

Dawn Discovery-World Poetry

Volcano Tour From Oahu

The Island of Hawaii has five separate volcanoes that erupted somewhat sequentially, one overlapping the other. These are: Kohala, Mauna Kea, Hualalai, Mauna Loa and K+lauea.

Mauna Loa is the world's largest volcano and one of five volcanoes that form the Big Island. Mauna Loa has no recent eruptions, but eruptions in 1926 and 1950 destroyed towns. The city of Hilo is partly built on lava flows.

Kohala is probably the oldest volcano that composes the Island of Hawaii. This extinct volcano is 5.480 feet above sea level.

Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano and is the highest point in the state of Hawaii with 13.796 feet (4.200 m). Muna kea means "white mountain" in Hawaiian language; this name makes reference to its regularly snow-capped during the winter.

Hualalai is the third youngest and third-most historically active volcano on the Big Island.

Take the best volcano tour including a 40-minutes walk were you can see the most active volcano in the world: The Kilauea. This volcano has been erupting steadily since 1983. Kilauea lies next to the much larger Mauna Loa volcano.

On this adventure tour you will visit one of the most volcanically active environments in the world. Pele, Hawaii´s volcano goddess, will surprise you with its anger. Get impressed by the beauty of Pele´s creations which includes Hawaii´s unique black sand beaches.

Later, you will get in touch with a much more calm landscape: the tropical rainforest and the cascading waterfalls, while you learn about Hawaii´s culture and history.

If you are staying on Oahu but you would like to visit a neighbor island for a day, you might go to the Big Island and get as close to the active lava flows as Civil Defense allows. One of the visits that the Oahu tours offers to you is the Big Island Volcano and Waterfalls Tour.

Article by Kani Amea

Going Into Battle on Oahu Volcano Tours

When you think about going on Oahu volcano tours you usually don't think about going into battle; about waging war and combating enemies. The Hawaiian Islands are usually places of peace in the minds of visitors, places of rest, relaxation, and tranquility.

Hawaii is all that and more. It is a geological and botanical paradise. It is a surfer's and sunbather's paradise. It is a place of deep spirituality and innate mysticism. It is a storyteller's heaven with its ancient legends and oral traditions.

But Oahu is also a place where battles were fought; some only mere decades ago, and some, hundreds upon hundreds of years ago. Climbing to the top of Diamond Head Crater on Oahu, you see the juxtapositions of peace and war quite clearly.

There is the breathtaking beauty of looking out over Waikiki and the Pacific Ocean from the top of Diamond Head. It is a majestic view filled with all the tranquility associated with Hawaii. But as you ascend Diamond Head, you also learn about how this natural crater was seen and used as a place to conceal weapons of war and to mount a defense or offense against invaders of the harbor.

Arrays of cannons were once concealed in this crater, and in the late 1800's and early 1900's, a defense fort, Fort Ruger, was built atop this volcano. An entire underground war complex was built with a tunnel carved through this volcano for access to Fort Ruger.

This place of beauty and wonder was a natural place to conceal those who wished to defend Hawaii from those who wished to wage war with America. An observation platform was built for soldiers to sight targets from, and it wasn't until the invention of more electronic target-sighting methods that this underground bunker and military fort was abandoned.

Even in ancient times, Diamond Head was a place where war was honored and revered. It is thought to be an ancient burial ground, and that at one time a "heiau" (Hawaiian temple) existed there that was dedicated to Ku, the Hawaiian God of War. It is also believed to be a place where human sacrifices were made to appease and honor Ku.

In more modern times, after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Diamond Head Crater was also used as a lookout point for invaders of Hawaii and it was stocked with artillery and weaponry used for battle.

There is peace at the top of Diamond Head Crater and there are remnants of war. Both are important to experience when you tour this Oahu volcano. Diamond Head is an incredible wonder of nature and also an important place in the history of American and Hawaiian warfare.

Learn more about ancient and modern Hawaiian warfare on your Oahu volcano tours. Battle your way to http://www.hawaiitours.com/oahu-volcano.php for more information.

Volcano Rocks Tourism Industry

Tourism to active volcanoes is suddenly surging thanks in part to the recent volcanic activity of Iceland's volcano Eyjafjallajokull. On Wednesday April 14th, Eyjafjallajokull erupted, forcing the evacuation of 700 people. The volcano was thought to be dormant, not having erupted since 1821. The eruption was such a major event that it forced most of Europe into a no-fly zone, stranding travelers across the world.

The volcano drew spectators so close that some were pelted by rocks and ash. Some innovative chefs took advantage of the situation by realizing that the lava was not only a tourist draw, but a good source of heat, where they sold lava-grilled lobster at top dollar. Would that then be a rock lobster? I'm curious.

Visiting a volcano is risky business because you never know when a new fissure will crack open. Volcanoes are unpredictable by nature, volatile, not to mention deadly. Volcanoes have the power to shape the earth by creating and destroying land, in addition to changing global climate for centuries.

One of the most notorious and deadly volcanic eruptions was Italy's Mt. Vesuvius explosion in 79 AD, which led to the destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum and resulted in the death of an astounding 10,000 to 25,000 people.

The fury of nature has such magnetic appeal to thrill-seekers, geologists, and the curiosity of human nature that there is a whole specialized branch of the tourism industry catering to volcanic destinations.

Some of the more popular tourist volcanoes are:

• Mount Mayon, Philippines
  Towering at 8,081 feet, this volcano is one of the world's most active volcanoes and said to be one of the most beautiful.


• Mount Etna, Italy
  Sicily's 10,922 foot Etna is the largest volcano is Europe. Etna erupted smoke rings, an extremely rare event, in the 1970's and then again in 2000.


• Mount Rainier, Washington USA
  Standing taller than Mount Etna at 14,410 feet, Rainier (which is also a national park) has been described as "a utopia for adventure tourists" and is the most heavily glaciated peak in the continental United States.

Personally, I would rather view the many spectacular images of volcanic activity that are available online with my satellite Internet than put myself in any kind of danger, but what can I say, my sense of adventure resides on cold, stable ground. However, if being up close and personal to one of these great giants floats your boat, there are many tourist companies ready to take you on a powerful trip you aren't likely to forget. They include:

Go Magma (gomagma.com)
Go Magma promises you an extraordinary experience with local or international volcano experts and the opportunity to return home with pictures everyone will want to see, with safety being one of their primary concerns.

Volcano Discovery (volcanodiscovery.com)
Volcano Discovery offers tours to volcanic areas for small groups and individuals and offers accompaniment by volcano experts, who will guide you through your experience and share their wealth of knowledge.

Volcano Travel (volcanolive.com)
John Seach has 21 years of tour guiding, and his services have been used by Discovery Channel, BBC TV, Land Rover, Japanese TV, and National Geographic. Departures every day of the year!

There are many other volcano touring companies around the globe, so hop online, do some research, and pick one that is right for you.

Hugo Grosz loves internet culture. Although he only recently began writing about the internet, you can be sure that if it's been blogged about, dugg, tumbled or tweeted he has seen it and probably reposted it somewhere. Relying solely on his weatherworn laptop powered by Hughesnet internet, Hugo travels to the four corners of the World Wide Web exploring digital tourism, geocaching, telecommuting and every other meme imaginable.

That Volcano in Iceland - The Eyjafjallajokull Effect

When a minor European Volcano decides to erupt, it does not often make the major headlines of the news. But the Eyjafjallajokull effect has been a different story, closing down European aerospace and casting a large cloud of volcanic dust across much of Europe. What is the potential effect of 'that' volcanoes eruption in Iceland?

Europe is not usually associated with volcanic activity, neither is Iceland much in the news nowadays. But when Eyjafjallajokull, started to erupt and spit out ice and lava earlier this year, few people noticed, until airports were closed.

Eyjafjallajokul, sounds spectacular but the name simply means the "islands mountains glacier". Icelanders generally see this volcanoes sister, Katla as the biggest threat but are probably bemused as the current cloud of ash is floating across mainland Europe, and the UK causing some panic.

Norse legend has it that humankind was created after the volcanoes in Iceland erupted. These potent and often ignored Volcanoes are a modern day source of geo-thermal energy, and a must see spot for curious tourists. But also serve as a warning as to how nature can disrupt modern hi-tech societies.

Despite claims that the eruption of Eyjafjallajokul, is subsiding some geologist fear a repeat of the last great eruption of 1821-23 when the first volcanic eruption, lead to the second eruption of Katla-causing much more damage then just closed airports.

If Katla does erupt, then experts state that sea levels may rise due to the break up of ice in the area surrounding both Eyjafjallajokul, and Katla. Whilst the volcanic dust cloud could get far worse, and close off much of Europe's airspace for months - not only disrupting air traffic but grounding it.

How this would effect Europe's transport routes and trade is anyone's guess. One theory is that the areas affected by volcanic dust may get colder, whilst global trade would switch to shipping, rail and road transport. This could hurt perishable products, which often need air transport like pharmaceuticals, fresh fruit and vegetables- driving up prices.

It could also effect the up-coming European tourist season, were traditionally people head for warmer climates like Southern Europe, and Turkey for their vacation. If flights are grounded, then Europe's roads will be congested, whilst long-haul destinations could see a further fall in tourist numbers.

One potential winner in all this could be Iceland. Currently mired in a deep recession, curious visitors could flock to see the volcanic activity, and create a much needed minor boom in ecological tourism. If they can get to Iceland by sea.

Yet, the final result of a possible dual eruption of both Eyjafjallajokull, and Katla could be the realization that humankind has no control over nature, despite the technology we use. And as in old Norse legend, the eruption of Volcanoes may after all, create something very new.

Download for free a selection of complimentary ebooks by the Author.

Volcano Movie and Me

As many of my close friends and associates may already be aware of I have currently returned to school in an effort to obtain a degree in Emergency Management. I had previously taken a large number of FEMA classes on location as well as online in an effort to hone up my knowledge of emergency actions. You may ask why I would even want to do such work. The answer is simply I enjoy the thought of working at a job that offers me a degree of satisfaction and I feel that I can best contribute something useful to the emergency actions program as well.

This past evening I was comfortably sitting on the sofa watched the 1997 movie release entitled "Volcano". If you think back you will recall this movie as the disaster video which theoretically took place in the center of Los Angeles. According to the script this undetected underground volcano was effectively making short work of the city as it destroyed everything that came into its path. The showed featured the fabulous acting talents of Tommy Lee Jones who played the role of Mike Roark. Roark was the director of t4eh LA city emergency operations. During disasters he would ultimately have the final decision on what does and does not get accomplished under the name of disaster management. He was the man in charge of determining what actions the various agencies would take to combat this threat to their city.

As I watched the TV show it displayed how Tommy Lee would rattle off orders and in general how he handled the emergency situation. Most of the time Tommy Lee's actions called for making instant split second decisions which often involved life or death situations. I wondered than as I watched him in action if when my time came to do so, would I be able to act in such a proficient manner as he had.

Don't get me wrong as I have handled my share of instant decisions while employed with Uncle Sam in the military environment. This however made me take a double look at my role in emergency management. It certainly made me think seriously as to whether I could actually initiate those vital decisions which affect so many other lives. I realize that this predicament was nothing more then a mere Hollywood movie and the actual concept were skillfully picked from the figment within some writer's imagination but the ideas are still setting deeply within my mind.

By the end of the movie I realized that these people had an enormous task at protecting the safety and wellbeing of our people. They may not always make the right decisions but I am sure that at the time they seem to be the proper course of action. Hopefully I can do as well if and when my time arrives.

By Joseph Parish

Copyright @2010 Joseph Parish
http://www.survival-training.info

For more information relating to survival visit us at http://www.survival-training.info

Costa Rica Accommodation - Hotels in Volcano Arenal

Costa Rica is a small country in Central America, located between Nicaragua and Panama, being also bordered by the Caribbean Sea in east and the Pacific Ocean in west. Many people know little things about the central region of America, one of them being the fact that countries from there are ruled by undemocratic regimes and are pretty dangerous for foreign citizens. Still, Costa Rica has been always an exception to this rule, this country being safe, enjoying a stabilized democracy and an ongoing economically development. Therefore, in the main vacation spots is a fast growing tourism industry and a wide range of accommodation units.

Hotels in Costa Rica offer great accommodation, but tourists find good housing also in vacation rentals such as homes, condos, villas, cottages and mountain cabins. Everywhere in the country are great vacation resorts, where holiday makers can enjoy the splendid tropical nature and friendship of local people (called ticos) alike. Costa Rica is divided in 7 provinces (Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limón, Puntarenas and San José), all of them featuring many vacation attractions and interesting things to see and to do.

One of the major attractions in Costa Rica are the volcanoes. Many tourists are interested in this natural wonders and in this country they can see several active volcanoes such as volcano Irazu (the highest one, with 3,432 meters), volcano Poas (having one of the largest active craters in the world), volcano Turrialba, volcano Rincon de la Vieja, Miravalles, and volcano Arenal, located in the northwestern region and being the only volcano in Costa Rica which is constantly active. Due to this fact, volcano Arenal is visited yearly by an "army" of vacationers who want to see flowing the stream of hot lava. The big number of holiday makers visiting the area year after year led to a fast development of the accommodation units in the region. Hotels in volcano Arenal region belong to the best in Costa Rica and generally feature excellent amenities, good food and some of them even organize different tours of volcanos, but also to other tourist attractions in the area. Some of the best hotels near volcano Arenal are Hotel Magic Mountain, Hotel Volcano Lodge, Hotel Occidental El Tucano, Hotel Royal Corin, Hotel Arenal Kioro, Hotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort, Hotel Lomas del Volcan, Hotel Arenal Manoa, Hotel El Bambu de Sarapiqui, or Hotel Arenal Paraiso Resort & Spa. Beside hotels, there are available a big number of vacation rentals like cabins, homes, villas and cottages, representing a great alternative solution to accommodation needs of tourists.

After holiday makers enjoyed the splendors of incandescent lava (the night views are really spectacular!), they can stay in hotels in volcano Arenal area and take trips to other regions of the country, like the capital city San Jose, or can head straight to hotels settled in the Pacific region of Costa Rica and enjoy a few days of beach vacation and different water sports (surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving and sailing are great there!) or just relaxing in hammocks under the chilling shadow of palm trees...No matter where tourists travel in this country, accommodation in Costa Rica is great and memories gained there last for lifetime!

More information about accommodation in Costa Rica can be found on Costa Rica Accommodation and Hotels in Costa Rica. This article belongs to Victor Tuszing.

Hawaii Best Things to Do - Kilauea Volcano

On your "Hawaii best things to do" list, the Big Island's Kilauea Volcano should be near the top of your list.

It's one of the hottest things in Hawaii - so to speak!

As a matter of fact, some tourists notice a funny smell while walking around Kilauea, only to find the soles of their shoes have melted!

Since the ground under your feet can get pretty toasty, be sure to wear comfortable, thick soled walking shoes. Sandals and flip-flops are definitely out - that is unless you're into walking on hot coals.

As the world's most active volcano, Kilauea Volcano is a Hawaii best things to do must and is incredibly exciting any time of the year.

Found on the southeastern tip of the Big Island, about 30 miles southwest of Hilo and about 96 miles southeast of Kona, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is Hawaii's Number one attraction.

Once you visit, it's easy to see why. There are few places in the world like Kilauea, where you can view such amazing volcanic landscapes and get so close to the awesome power of nature at work.

Kilauea has been continuously flowing for over 20 years.

According to the National Park Service, between 250,000 and 650,000 cubic yards of lava flow every day. That's enough to pave a 20 miles high, 20 miles long road. That's a lot of lava.

And Kilauea's lava has spread over a total of 40 square miles adding over 500 acres to the Big Island's southern shore.

Begin your visit to Kilauea at the park entrance visitor's center. Lava flow conditions change daily and the park rangers can tell you the best and safest ways to enjoy your visit on that particular day.

Jagger Museum, Thurston Lava Tube, Volcano House and the Halema'uma'u Crater are some of the highlights recommended.

If you have the time and energy for a four-mile hike, Kilauea Iki trail is magnificent. It winds through a rain forest and across steaming lava flows down into a crater that erupted about fifty years ago.

Kilauea Iki trail gives you a full experience of the incredible power of Madame Pele - Hawaii's goddess of volcanoes.

The rangers can tell you about other hiking trails too. They're rated from easy to strenuous and run from a quarter a mile to over four miles in length. Overnight camping is also allowed with a permit.

Before you start on your hike or drive through, make sure you get a map of the park and a list of ranger rules, regulations and safety tips.

Kilauea is an active volcano and not without it's dangers. Be sure to stay on the road, watch where you're walking and avoid lava flows, earth cracks, thin crusts and volcanic gasses.

Kilauea is expected to continue to flow for at least another 100 years. So you have more than enough time to cross this once in a lifetime experience off your Hawaii best things to do list.

Katie Byrd takes you on a virtual vacation to Hawaii. Visitors to her http://www.Pictures-Of-Hawaii.net website say, "It's awesome!" and "Feels just like being there!" Start your vacation now with these inspiring pictures of Hawaiian water falls.

Motor Home Adventures in California with Volcano Camping

Don't worry - Lassen Volcanic National Park's volcanoes aren't going to explode and spill fiery doom all over you and your motor home. Although once a roaring caldron of magma, the volcanoes are now quiet and still. But, if you wander the park, you can still find among the pristine wilderness and pine forests some boiling pits of mud and steam hissing out of the cracks in the earth. These are just some of the attractions that make Lessen Volcanic National Park one of Northern California's greatest RV destinations.

The park is located about 50 miles west of Redding, California in the northeastern corner of the state. It is about 180 miles from Reno, Nevada. Its location puts it right in the middle of some of America's prettiest country, not far from the parks and wilderness areas of California, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.

What is there to do at the park?

There are more than 150 miles of hiking trails, which means that you will never walk it all, and the wide range of different scenery makes each hiking trail a real journey. The park is close enough to the Cascades and Sierras that you can see great views of the mountain ranges from some areas of the park. There are beautiful mountain lakes, as well as hydrothermal attractions you won't find anywhere else. These include huge vents leading to the depths of the earth that discharge steam and volcanic gas; steam coming straight out of fissures in the ground; and boiling mud and water pools (they're a little too hot for a dip!). At Lassen, you can really get close to what's going on underneath the earth's surface.

And what about the eruptions?

Of course there is always a possibility of a volcanic "event", but there are a few things that should set your mind at ease. First off, although there was an eruption as recently as 1915, eruptions are few and far between at Lassen, occurring usually once every 10,000 years. Lassen is part of a volcanic corridor stretching from northern California up to Mount St. Helens, and there are occasionally small eruptions here and there. The other thing that should set your mind at ease is that there are a large number of scientists constantly keeping an eye on the park. They will definitely let you know well in advance if you shouldn't park your motor home nearby.

There are lots of places to stay around Lassen Volcanic National Park. One of the best motor home sites in the area is Lassen Pines RV Park, located in McArthur, California. Lassen Pines is located in the Fall River Valley among the tall pines and juniper trees. It is a friendly, family-oriented campground with lots of RV sites. They also offer fishing, golfing, hiking, biking and other activities. You can find them online.

If you want to add some great fishing and hunting to your volcanic hikes, try Rancheria RV Park located on Lunker Lake, 36 miles from the park. Rancheria puts you close to other northern California attractions such as Hat Creek, the Pit River Casino and Subway Cave, as well as the fishing and hunting activities around the lake. The park has tent camping, cabins and motor home sites, from very rustic to fully equipped. Check them out online.

Lassen Volcanic National Park makes a great RV destination, or a wonderful stop along the way to any of northern California's parks. It offers sightseeing and scenery that you won't find anywhere else.

If you and your family are looking for an exciting motor home vacation destination, Lassen Volcanic National Park may be just the spot. Before you embark on your trip, make sure you're equipped. Visit Bankston Motor Homes for your RV needs. www.bankstonmotorhomes.com

From the Top of a Volcano - Indiana Jones and CO2 Data

My harrowing ride up to the top of the Mauna Loa volcano, traveling on an "almost" one lane pothole filled road surrounded on all sides by lava fields as far as the eye could see, in a minivan no less, helped put into perspective what scientists the world over do every day so that the rest of us can better understand how our world works. The dribble of white paint in the middle of the road up to the Observatory, which made the road look more like two narrow bicycle paths, finally made sense as the sun went down, and the lights of our van caught the line so we could stay on the road and not wander off into the black lava fields surrounding us.

When I think about scientists, I get a visual of people working in labs, safe in some "secure university location", wearing white coats, doing experiments that I may or may not understand. What I learned on my trip to the Mauna Loa Observatory, among many other fascinating things, is that some of these scientists must also be adventurers, explorers and often need to be incredibly brave. Our "tour guide" was Dr. John Barnes, station chief and resident Lidar (light detection and ranging) expert. Lidar is used for long term monitoring of the stratospheric aerosol layer. "This layer effects solar radiation and ozone.

Stratospheric aerosols cool the earth by reflecting light back into space." After our tour and when the sun set, Dr. Barnes was going to set up his lasers which he regularly "shoots" in the direction of the stars, to record and observe "particles" in the atmosphere. What he doesn't want his experiments to be confused with however, are the weaponized "lasers" being tested for battle just below his Observatory by the US military. It seems common sense deems it worthwhile to check with the military to make sure that the Mauna Loa lasers were NOT set to the same frequency as the military lasers below! All in a day's work!

There are a wide range of websites that attempt to explain what and why the climbing levels of CO2 in our atmosphere are critical for us to pay attention to. The atmospheric data collected at sites like the Mauna Loa Observatory is of crucial international importance. But what I also hope to convey is the incredible daily lengths that the scientists collecting this data travel, figuratively and literally, so that we can have a daily record, which now spans over 50 years, of irrefutable data on CO2 levels in our atmosphere. Guess what, I found out - Indiana Jones really does exist.

On behalf of an organization called The Climate Project, I regularly give talks about Climate Change and speak often about the "Keeling Curve" and its importance in understanding global warming and climate change. On a personal note, visiting the Mauna Loa Observatory felt a bit like I was visiting the "Temple Mount" as I stood next to the "Keeling" building (Charles David Keeling initiated the first measurements of CO2 in the atmosphere on Mauna Loa) and was shown the original instruments, working diligently until about 3 years ago, which have been providing us with a daily record of CO2 levels in the atmosphere since 1958.

To try to understand the conditions at the Observatory, imagine travelling up a rough mountain road from sea level to over 11,000 feet, watching the temperature on the car thermometer drop from a high of 89 degrees when we left the beach, to a low of 42 degrees at the Observatory buildings. We left the Hawaii most people imagine, white sand beaches, palm trees, and rolling surf, and entered an "other world" of black lava, snow and ice. We heard how the original scientists hiked, walked and drove "pick up trucks" straight up the Volcano's lava fields, making their "road" as they travelled onto an active volcano, now overdue for an eruption (since the early 1800's when records of eruptions on Mauna Loa began being collected, the current period is the "longest period" without an eruption).

Setting up a lab on an active volcano is an interesting decision, but it was deemed "worth it" to be able to access some of the purest air in the world....never mind about a little thing like a possible volcanic eruption! The 1984 eruption wiped out the Observatory's power lines, forcing it to operate on a generator for some months. The scientists at the Observatory remain matter of fact about what will happen when the next eruption strikes, they have oxygen masks scattered around the various outlining buildings, "just in case."

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has been coordinating the CO2 experiments at Mauna Loa since the 70's and also collects greenhouse gas data at other sites around the world including data collected by planes and ships! It maintains 4 observatories in addition to the Mauna Loa site: Barrow, Alaska, Cape Matatula in America Samoa, the South Pole, and Trinidad Head Observatory in Northern California. At the South Pole, 2 scientists spend 8 months "shut in" during the winter months, as daily temperatures drop below 50 degrees and flying supplies in and out is impossible. In Alaska, the two NOAA scientists have had polar bears take up residence outside their door, making trips for data collection extra "exciting". The September 29, 2009 earthquake and tsunami which devastated American Samoa, almost washed the NOAA Station Chief out to sea in his truck, luckily, instead depositing him against a concrete shelter, allowing him to ultimately help in the rescue of many not so lucky residents of the village just below the Observatory. Again, all in a day's work!

NOAA is working with scientists from around the world who are doing their own atmospheric testing using data collected from these sites, including the Japanese, the Canadians and the United Nations. The main "laboratory" for all the raw data collected by these 5 sites is in Bolder, Colorado, where the canisters of "air" collected at these locations are sent for analysis. The data from Mauna Loa shows us that by removing all externalities, we can see that human caused greenhouse gases have increased by 21.4% between 1990 and 2005. The UN Kyoto Protocol uses 1990 as the base year for emissions reductions. Many scientists feel this is the base year all governments should use for any new binding emissions reduction agreements, in terms of being able to stabilize CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that will prevent dangerous changes in our climate. According to our guide, we are on track for "doubling of CO2" levels in the atmosphere, every 32 years.

The day we visited Mauna Loa, the instruments showed a daily reading of 391ppm of CO2, last year CO2 levels averaged at 387 ppm. The 2009 annual average from Mauna Loa should be available in a few months we would expect it to rise from last year and be close to 390 ppm. Pre-industrial levels of CO2 were at 280ppm. A few points to leave you with:

1. Given all the ruckus the last few months raised by "Climate Gate" where hackers stole e-mails on climate change studies from scientists at a prestigious English University; you've gotta know, that if there was ANY way to disprove or to put into question this 50 year long record on CO2 data, it would have happened!
2. We know that over the 4.5 billion year history of our Earth, CO2 levels in our atmosphere have been higher than current levels, but these high levels of CO2 were during the time our earth was forming. An example would be in the age of the dinosaurs, when there were active volcanoes all over and the world was a very different place from today. Science now allows us to have an accurate look back at CO2 data dating back 800,000 years using ice cores drilled from glaciers around the world. In this period CO2 levels have never been higher than preindustrial levels (280ppm) nor, perhaps more importantly, has the rate and pace of change of rising CO2 levels been as fast as it is now.
3. We know that as CO2 and other greenhouse gases increase in the atmosphere, they work as heat trapping gases, trapping solar radiation and warming our planet, causing temperatures to rise. Scientists are watching as temperatures are rising at an incredibly rapid pace around the globe, but in particular in places like the Arctic and Antarctica. While the consequences of unchecked climate change remain unclear, what is clear is that our world is on course for dramatic changes.
4. Scientist warned us in the late 1980s about a dangerous hole in the ozone layer due to a build up of certain greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. An international meeting was convened and the Montreal Protocol was established to resolve the problem. The hole is slowly disappearing. Countries worked together, from information scientists gave to them, to solve an international environmental problem. The world succeeded.
5. We should be worried about rising CO2 levels.
6. We should do something about what is going on.

Wherever you call home in 2010, and particularly if it is the USA, we all need to actively challenge our government representatives to do something about climate change. We need to demand from them, binding legislation that will stop our unchecked increases of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. WE need to provide our planet with time to recover from the damages we have wrought. Later in January, we will be showcasing some of the information sites that make it easy for you to contact your government representatives. The push is on for early 2010 to have the US government enact legislation on climate change, many people are hoping for a target date of Earth Day (April 22) 2010!

For more information on the Mauna Loa Observatory and the work of NOAA on atmospheric testing, visit http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/obop/mlo. For more detailed information specifically on the Mauna Loa observatory, stay tuned in 2010 for a book by Forrest M. Mimms III titled: Hawaii's Mauna Loa Observatory: Fifty Years of Monitoring the Atmosphere.

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