Costa Rica's Turrialba volcano erupts

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Costa Rica's Turrialba volcano, located 30 miles east of San Jose, erupted Wednesday night, prompting emergency alerts and evacuations.

University of Costa Rica and National University volcanologists recorded seismic activity Wednesday afternoon and recorded an explosion at the Turrialba volcano at 11:10 p.m. local time.

The National Emergency Commission issued a "Yellow Alert" for the vicinity surrounding the volcano and evacuated the few residents that live in the area.

RTN News tweeted images of the volcanic activity.

On Thursday, the Civil Aviation Administration warned airplanes to keep their distance from the volcano and instituted a 20-mile radius no-fly zone.

The National Seismological Network said it is the volcano's largest eruption in 150 years.

Most of Costa Rica's volcanoes, which number in the dozens, are dormant.