Location: 10.713450°N, -85.177301°W Alt: 764.0m
	Photo Date: 27 May, 2008
	ISO: 100
	Aperture/Shutter: F/5, 1/60"
	Focal Length: 14mm
	Camera: Olympus Evolt E-510
Category: Guanacaste, Costa Rica - 2008

Volcàn Miravalles. Guanacaste, Costa Rica

The local flora edges as close as it can survive to the toxic fumeroles, however humanity is far less discriminating.
An enticing path winds it's way down into the fumerole field, inviting the curious to experience a sliver of the raw power hiding beneath our feet.

Location: 10.713445°N, -85.177266°W Alt: 760.6m
	Photo Date: 27 May, 2008
	ISO: 100
	Aperture/Shutter: F/7.1, 1/50"
	Focal Length: 14mm
	Camera: Olympus Evolt E-510
Category: Guanacaste, Costa Rica - 2008

Volcàn Miravalles. Guanacaste, Costa Rica

The water is murky from the minerals.

No, really ... I had nothing to do with that ... it looked like that when I got here ... I swear ...

Location: 10.712865°N, -85.177265°W ; Alt: 760.6m
	Photo Date: 27 May, 2008
	ISO: 100
	Aperture/Shutter: F/6.3, 1/60"
	Focal Length: 14mm
	Camera: Olympus Evolt E-510
Category: Guanacaste, Costa Rica - 2008

Volcàn Miravalles. Guanacaste, Costa Rica

More steamy, volcanic goodness ...

Location: 10.712810°N, -85.177188°W ; Alt: 760.6m
	Photo Date: 27 May, 2008
	ISO: 100
	Aperture/Shutter: F/6.3, 1/125"
	Focal Length: 14mm
	Camera: Olympus Evolt E-510
Category: Guanacaste, Costa Rica - 2008

Volcàn Miravalles. Guanacaste, Costa Rica

The steam shaft in the distance (top right) is actually a controlled release from one of the nearby geothermal power transfer stations. While the rest of the world has been madly craming fossil fuels into furnaces and vaguely back-peddling when public opinion demands it, Costa Rica has been planning for their childrens' futures for nearly six decades.
Currently, less then 6% of their total energy output is derived from hydrocarbons (Costa Rica contributes less then 0.1% of the total annual GLOBAL carbon output). Over 80% is derived from hydro-electric sources and the remaining 14% comes directly from geothermal energy.
Absolutely astounding numbers, especially since Costa Rica (until recently) has exported most of it's green power to other countries due to an abundant surplus. Unfortunately, global warming has radically effected their hydro electric plants by reducing rainfall in the region, limiting their energy production and even causing rolling brown outs during the arid months of their most torrid years. Undaunted by these early warnings of Costa Rica's ecological doom, the local energy company (Grupo I.C.E.) is building more geothermal plants (next of which to open 2009) and expanding it's currently limited wind power generating capacity in a very real bid to become the planet's first carbon neutral country (for energy production).
Holy shit!

For a 'developing' country, they certainly put us North American, consumerist whores to utter shame! Our government limp-wristers are hesitant to even suggest a meagre 15% drop in our emissions (making us still about 200x the production of Costa Rica). Add to this the massive re-greening projects and extensive national park protection programmes and you have a serious environmentally karmic hoard on your hands.
But don't take my word about us being piggers, check the numbers yourself:

Energy Producer	Renewable/Nuclear %	Hydrocarbons %	Global Carbon Emissions %	Global Emission Rank	Use/Capita (Rank)
Canada	33%	67%	2.3%	7th	9th
United States	20%	80%	22.2%	#1 baby!	10th
Mexico	8%	92%	1.6%	11th	67th
Costa Rica	94%	6%	< .01%	106	85th

Yup, we're total capitalist gluttons alright. You can also see why both India and China see no reason to start cleaning up their environmental habits when they compare themselves to the US. Ironically the US uses the same excuse, despite being the only first world country in that mix AND the most heavily industrialized and powerful country in the world!
Assholes ...
I do have to wonder though, what the hell is Canada's excuse? We're supposed to be environmental leaders for sakes!

Location: 10.712865°N, -85.177265°W ; Alt: 760.6m
	Photo Date: 27 May, 2008
	ISO: 100
	Aperture/Shutter: F/6.3, 1/100"
	Focal Length: 14mm
	Camera: Olympus Evolt E-510
Category: Guanacaste, Costa Rica - 2008

Volcàn Miravalles. Guanacaste, Costa Rica

The mineral rich waters not only allow life to thrive (and make for a great spa), but stain the lava in vivid colours.
Miravalles is extremely rich in iron oxides/hydroxides, with subordinate minerals of pyrite, calcite, chlorate, zeolites and the usual silicates. Not only does this make for extremely obvious reddening of everything it touches, but it makes the water extremely acidic.
Not for drinking!
Makes me wonder about those bottled waters that claim they're 'volcanically filtered' ...

Location: 10.712776°N, -85.177221°W ; Alt: 753.1m
	Photo Date: 27 May, 2008
	ISO: 100
	Aperture/Shutter: F/6.3, 1/125"
	Focal Length: 14mm
	Camera: Olympus Evolt E-510
Category: Guanacaste, Costa Rica - 2008

Volcàn Miravalles. Guanacaste, Costa Rica

The feeble chains of man string losely across the fumerole field. A weak attempt to enforce our will on nature.
Every stake in the line, every rail and every stair are charred black with disdain from the perpetual heat from below. A casual reminder of the emense power beneath our feet and who the real boss is.
We attempt to control nature with levees and silicon chips, confine it with fences and define it with words, yet should the volcano erupt one of it's pyroclastic flows it once used to create itself, all of these would be swept away like so much dust in a single, brief, cataclysmic moment.
We must be mindfully conscious of nature and the environment not for her sake, but to save ourselves from extinction. After all, half million years of human history is a terrible thing to waste.

Location: 10.712908°N, -85.177401°W ; Alt: 746.2m
	Photo Date: 27 May, 2008
	ISO: 100
	Aperture/Shutter: F/8, 1/100"
	Focal Length: 14mm
	Camera: Olympus Evolt E-510
Category: Guanacaste, Costa Rica - 2008

Volcàn Miravalles. Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Heading into the fumerole field reveals an alien landscape. A land where hot, sulphuous, mineral laiden water bubbles and steams it's way through what appears to be solid ground. Pools and even streams of the scalding liquid have formed throughout the vale and only add to the mass of clouds eminating from every possible inch.
Although the thick stench of sulphur and heavy tang of iron linger heavily in the air (and permiates hair and clothing), life clings to all surfaces ... in one form or another. Each tapping into the abundance of power released from the very heart of the Earth.
A gift from Mother to all her children
Despite the extreme conditions and toxic air,
the constant bubble all around you and persistant warming from the earth (mmmm... warm toes) creates a very calming ambiance.