Abstract

ALFARO-MARTINEZ, Eric J.; MADRIZ-SOJO, Gabriel  and  DIAZ BOLANOS, Ronald. The mega-niño of 1925-1926 and its repercussions on Costa Rican society. Diálogos rev. electr. hist [online]. 2022, vol.23, n.1, pp.47-87. ISSN 1409-469X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.15517/dre.v23i1.48533.

The objective of this article is to characterize the extreme event of the coastal Mega-Niño of 1925-1926 in Southern Central America from a series of geophysical anomalies calculated from meteorological records of stations located in Costa Rica and Panama. In addition, to inquire its repercussions on Costa Rican society through documentary analysis of primary official and newspaper sources. The findings of this article allow to affirm that this Mega-Niño manifested itself in Costa Rica through an increase in the magnitude of the trade wind, warmer than usual surface temperatures of the air and ocean, and a decrease in rainfall compared to its average value. Likewise, this phenomenon had several social impacts linked to drought condition scenarios; expressed in locust plagues, shortages of drinking water, decreases in crop yields and extensions in summer activities. Also, there was an affection of stronger winds and higher waves to the small boat operations on the Pacific coast, as well as damage to coastal and urban infrastructures. It is concluded that these social repercussions were concentrated on a local scale in the country, and were moderate in the different affected sites.

Keywords : Costa Rica; climate; history.

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