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Poás volcano, Costa Rica Poás volcano is an active basaltic andesite stratovolcano with a major eruption about once every 50 years. At its peak is a lake, Laguna Caliente. Researcher Brian Hynek has sampled the lake and found only one microbe that lives in its ultradynamic waters. Brian Hynek
Phreatomagmatic eruption at Poás volcano, Costa Rica A phreatomagmatic eruption happens when water hits magma, resulting in an explosion. In this case, the eruption obliterated both the lake and the webcam that was monitoring it.Image: Brian Hynek
Poás volcano, minus its lake Following an eruption, there is no longer a lake at the summit of Poás volcano.Image: Brian Hynek