Abstract

ALVARADO, Guillermo E.  and  VARGAS, Asdrúbal G.. History of discovery and exploitation of the thermal water in Costa Rica. Rev. Geol. Amér. Central [online]. 2017, n.57, pp.55-84. ISSN 0256-7024.  http://dx.doi.org/10.15517/rgac.v0i57.30148.

The present work present a chronological account of the discovery, research, and recreational use of the hot and mineral springs of Costa Rica. The descriptions of the investigations carried out have been divided into five periods with a first period called pre-Columbian stage, conquest and Colony until 1755. The second period is defined from 1755 to1854, where the first formal descriptions are presented. The third period includes the first scientific investigations made by European scientists (1855 - 1873). The fourth period refers to a reduction in the number of researches (1874 - 1954) and the fifth, and last period includes modern research for recreational purposes and applied engineering (1955 - present). The main use of the geothermal energy is for electricity generation, and the mineral and hot springs has been use for tourism, in particular areas associated with volcanic terrains and faults; however, for therapeutic and medicinal use it is still very limited.

Keywords : Hot spring; mineral springs; history; discovery; exploitation; use; Costa Rica.

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