Lying just east of the capital city of San Jose, massive Irazu is Costa Rica's highest volcano at 3,432 meters. It is also one of the most active, with a history of frequent eruptions recorded from 1723. It last erupted in 1963-'65, sending tephra* and secondary mudflows into cultivated areas. The eruption caused at least 20 deaths, destroying hundreds of homes. Irazu's summit crater contains a small lake.