IRAZ, MOUNT

Spanish Monte Iraz, active volcano in the Cordillera Central, east-central Costa Rica. The highest mountain in the Cordillera Central, Iraz reaches an elevation of 11,260 feet (3,432 m). It is a popular ascent for tourists, as its cone offers views of both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Costa Rica. The crater is linked by paved road to Cartago. The volcano's eruptions of 196365 produced ash that dammed a nearby small river, flooding the city of Cartago and causing serious damage to coffee crops. The eruptions also destroyed pastureland and temporarily produced highly acidic rains.