Below the summit is a mountain range and montane forest, with ferns, bromeliads, lichens and mosses.

[11] The volcano is named after its canton, Turrialba, in Costa Rica's Cartago Province.

The general consensus is that Turrialba derives from the local Indian (Huetar language), but there is no agreement on its actual roots.

Ash fell as far away as the capital, San Jose, and at least 500 people went to hospitals complaining of breathing problems.

[23] On September 19, at 02:54 an eruption lasting around fifteen minutes was the first event of many through the day that eventually covered the metropolitan area with ash.