Costa Rica is known for its beauty, its biodiversity, its friendly citizens and peaceful nature. It is known as the land of “Pura Vida”, of monkeys and sloths, toucans and iguanas, coffee and chocolate, of peace-loving people and lush, beautiful tropical landscapes. This reputation, however, belies the violent geologic origins of the area. This area was, and still is, being born of powerful collisions, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. It is a land born of fire and cataclysm, a land constantly in motion and constantly changing. Most travelers visit Costa Rica for the rich animal and bird life, not realizing that this biodiversity is intricately interwoven with the complex geology of the region. Costa Rica is home to hundreds of volcanoes, many of which are active and capable of erupting at any given time. This book is intended to lead the layperson on a journey to understand and appreciate this dynamic land.