turrialba
Turrialba volcano is among Coast Rica’s largest volcanoes and is located in Cartago, about 40 miles from the country’s capital city San Jose. Creative Commons

The strong smell of sulfur lingered in Costa Rica’s capital city, San Jose, Monday after the country’s Turrialba volcano began spewing smoke and ash, sparking curiosity but not panic as residents felt the familiar rumblings, according to the Agence France-Press. Video of the eruption, which lasted about half an hour, posted online Tuesday showed a black column of smoke billowing from an opening in the mountain crater and rising 1.5 miles into the sky.

Ash settled on parts of San Jose. The city's Juan Santamaría International Airport was temporarily closed Monday because landing on a runway covered in ashy soot was considered dangerous, according to local reports. Over a dozen flights were canceled or delayed.

Turrialba volcano was quiet for 130 years until the 1990s, when it sprang back to life. Visitors were once able to hike down into the volcano’s crater. However, recent gaseous activity at the summit has meant access has been limited.