The most active active volcano. Volcano

Ancient people naively took volcanic eruptions for the wrath of the gods, however, and today many people think so. But the enlightened part of humanity has long understood that the point here is not at all in the gods. Under the Earth's mantle there is an ocean of molten magma, which in some places presses the earth's crust more than usual and breaks through to the surface, pouring out in the form of lava flows from the vents of volcanoes. Although lava flows burn everything in their path, they are not the most terrible in a volcanic eruption, because there are still deadly pyroclastic flows, ash clouds, acid rain, volcanic bombs and earthquakes accompanying the eruption. As for the TOP 10 most dangerous volcanoes in the world, in a matter of hours after the eruption they can change everything around them beyond recognition.

1. Yellowstone supervolcano, USA

In the 60s of the last century, scientists discovered that the vast area in Yellowstone National Park is a giant caldera of an ancient supervolcano. More than 3 million daredevils come to look at the increasing activity of the caldera every year. Of course, it is very interesting to watch the work of geysers and hot springs, but they are potentially heralds of catastrophic events.
Scientists have found that the last time this supervolcano exploded was about 640 thousand years ago. If this happens again today, then 87,000 people living in the vicinity of Yellowstone are likely to die. A powerful eruption could completely change the landscape of the western United States, and huge masses of volcanic ash would cause climate change around the world and threaten the lives of people and animals. The explosion of such a volcano would be a full-scale global catastrophe, comparable to the fall of a large meteorite. Scientists suggest that a giant bubble of magma slowly emerges under the caldera at a depth of 8 kilometers, which heats the groundwater to a boil - hence the numerous hot springs and geysers. Unfortunately, science is still unable to make accurate predictions about eruptions, so we can only hope that it will not be too soon.

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2. Vesuvius, Italy

The last time Vesuvius, which has a height of 1281 meters, erupted in 1944. All schoolchildren are familiar with this volcano from the famous painting by Karl Bryullov "The Last Day of Pompeii", which vividly depicts a violent eruption in 79 that destroyed all local settlements, the most famous of which were the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The ash of the pyroclastic flow that fell asleep in Pompeii preserved everything that did not have time to burn, and after large-scale excavations a very interesting open-air museum was formed here.
Vesuvius erupts about once every 20 years, although the last eruption took place in 1944. Despite this, people continue to actively settle in the immediate vicinity of the mountain and even on it. Therefore, any powerful eruption of Vesuvius may again be accompanied by large human casualties.

3. Popocatepetl, Mexico

With a height of 5426 meters, Popocatepetl volcano last erupted in 2000. It is located just about 50 kilometers from Mexico City. During the last eruption from certain death, the authorities saved 41 thousand local residents, evacuating them on time. But 9 million Mexicans now live within the radius of the volcano's explosion, so its potential explosion could turn into a big disaster. The activity of the volcano and the densely populated surroundings make Popocatepetl very dangerous. The tops of the volcano are covered with glaciers. According to historical data, after 1519, more than 20 eruptions of this volcano took place.

4. Sakurajima, Japan

The volcano is not too high (1117 meters), and the last time it erupted in 2015. Because of its high activity, it is called "Eastern Vesuvius". At one time, the volcano rose from under the water near the coast of Japan, but after the eruption of 1914, lava flows formed a "bridge" connecting the volcano with the "mainland". Thousands of Sakurajima micro-eruptions occur annually, in which ash is thrown out of its vents and spread throughout the surrounding area. In the event of a powerful eruption, the city of Kagoshima with a population of 700 thousand people will be in danger.

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5. Galeras, Colombia

The last time this high (4276 m) volcano erupted was in 2010. It is located on the border with Ecuador. Volcanologists have established that this volcano has been active for at least a million years. Its first eruption was documented in 1580. For a decade after 1978, Galeras was inactive, after which it began to erupt regularly again. On the eastern ridge of the volcano is the city of Pasto, home to 450,000 Colombians who risk their lives.

6. Merapi, Indonesia

With a height of 2,930 m, the Merapi volcano, which means "mountain of fire", last staged a show in 2010. In Indonesia, it is the most active of the active volcanoes, pouring out a huge volume of lava, for which it has no equal in the world. The volcano has been active for at least 10,000 years. The last eruption claimed the lives of 353 Indonesians and left 320,000 homeless. The city authorities then finally developed an evacuation plan.

7. Nyiragongo, Democratic Republic of the Congo

The last time this 3470 m high volcano erupted in 2011. It has a very large crater, which periodically fills with lava, and then the lava lake disappears. But sometimes something goes wrong, for example, in 1977, when the crater wall collapsed under the pressure of lava, and liquid molten stone rushed down to the villages with the speed of a locomotive. As a result, thousands of people were killed and maimed by lava. In 2002, another 147 people died under similar circumstances, and 120 thousand people were left homeless.

8. Ulawun, Papua New Guinea

The last time the 2,334-meter active volcano erupted in 2013. The locals respectfully call him "father". This symmetrical pinnacle rose on the island of New Britain. Since the beginning of the 18th century, 22 powerful eruptions of the Ulavun volcano have been recorded. The inhabitants living next to it are still witnessing its periodic weak eruptions. Although the mountain now looks flawless in terms of landscape decoration, after a strong eruption it is unlikely to retain its exterior, and significant areas of the surrounding land will be destroyed.

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9. Tal, Philippines

This volcano is very small in height - only 311 meters, and the last time its eruption was observed in 1965. This volcano rose in the middle of Lake Tal on the Philippine island of Luzon. Manila - the capital of the country is very close, so for its population of 1.6 million people the volcano is not a hypothetical threat at all. This "baby" has erupted 33 times since 1572. Although many tourists come to this island every year, they are immediately warned to stay away from the volcano. The most powerful eruption of the last century took place here in 1911. Then the volcano was able to kill more than 1330 people, and all living creatures died within a radius of 10 kilometers.

10. Mauna Loa, Hawaii

This high (4169 meters) volcano last erupted in 1984. In general, he has been active for at least 700 thousand years. But, fortunately, most of its eruptions are weak, only occasionally lava flows acquire a high speed and become dangerous for settlements located on the slopes. Basically, the volcano spews out viscous lava, which slowly creeps along the surface, so residents have time to evacuate. But volcanologists believe that the likelihood of a catastrophic eruption of this volcano is very high. In addition to eruptions, Mauna Loa is also dangerous with destructive landslides, which, although rare, are extremely dangerous.

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In ancient times, volcanoes were the instrument of the gods. Nowadays, they pose a serious danger to settlements and entire countries. Not a single weapon in the world has been given such power on our planet - to conquer and pacify a raging volcano.

Now the media, cinema and some writers fantasize about the future events of the famous park, the location of which is known to almost everyone who is interested in modern geography - we are talking about a national park in Wyoming. Undoubtedly, the most famous supervolcano in world history of the past two years is Yellowstone.

What is a volcano

For many decades, literature, especially in fantasy stories, has attributed magical properties to grief that is capable of spewing fire. The most famous novel describing an active volcano is "The Lord of the Rings" (where he was called "the lonely mountain"). The professor was right about a similar phenomenon.

None of the people can look at mountain ranges up to several hundred meters high without respect for the ability of our planet to create such magnificent and dangerous natural objects. There is a special charm in these giants, which can be called magic.

So, if we discard the fantasies of writers and the folklore of ancestors, then everything will become easier. From the point of view of geographical definition: a volcano (vulkan) is a rupture of the crust of any planetary mass, in our case, the Earth, due to which volcanic ash and gas accumulated under pressure, together with magma, escapes from the magma chamber, which is located under a solid surface. At this moment, an explosion occurs.

Causes of occurrence

From the very first moments, the Earth was a volcanic field, on which trees, oceans, fields and rivers appeared later. Therefore, volcanism accompanies modern life.

How do they arise? On the planet earth, the main cause of formation is the earth's crust. The fact is that above the earth's core is the liquid part of the planet (magma), which is always moving. It is thanks to this phenomenon that there is a magnetic field on the surface - a natural protection from solar radiation.

However, the earth's surface itself, although solid, is not solid, but is divided into seventeen large tectonic plates. When they move, they converge and diverge, it is because of the movement at the points of contact of the plates that ruptures occur, and volcanoes arise. It is not at all necessary that this happens on the continents, at the bottom of many oceans there are similar breaks too.

Volcano structure

A similar object forms on the surface as the lava cools. It is impossible to see what is hidden under the many tons of rock. However, thanks to volcanologists and scientists, it is possible to imagine how it works.

A drawing of a similar representation is seen by high school students on the pages of a geographical textbook.

The device of the "fiery" mountain itself is simple and looks like this in section:

crater - top;
vent - a cavity inside the mountain, magma rises along it;
the magma chamber is a pocket at the base.

Depending on the type and form of formation of the volcano, some structural element may be absent. This option is classic, and many volcanoes should be viewed precisely in this context.

Types of volcanoes

The classification is applicable in two directions: by type and form. Since the movement of the lithospheric plates is different, the rate of magma cooling also differs.

First, let's look at the types:

acting;
sleeping;
extinct.

Volcanoes come in different shapes:

The classification would not be complete if we do not take into account the relief forms of the crater of volcanoes:

calderas;
volcanic plugs;
lava plateau;
tuff cones.

Eruption

As ancient as the planet itself, a force that can rewrite the history of an entire country is an eruption. There are several factors that make such an event on earth the most deadly for the inhabitants of some cities. Better not to get into a situation where a volcano is erupting.

On average, the planet has from 50 to 60 eruptions in one year. At the time of this writing, about 20 ruptures are flooding the surroundings with lava.

Perhaps the algorithm of actions is changing, but it depends on the accompanying weather conditions.

In any case, the eruption occurs in four stages:

Silence. Large eruptions show that it is usually quiet until the first explosion. Nothing will indicate the impending danger. A series of small shocks can only be measured by instruments.
Lava ejection and pyroclastite. A deadly mixture of gas and ash at a temperature of 100 degrees (reaches 800) Celsius is capable of destroying all life within a radius of hundreds of kilometers. An example is the eruption of Mount Helena in May of the eighties of the last century. Lava, the temperature of which can reach 1,500 degrees during the eruption, killed all living things at a distance of six hundred kilometers.
Lahar. If you are unlucky, it may rain at the eruption site, as it did in the Philippines. In such situations, a continuous stream of 20% water is formed, the remaining 80% is rock, ash and pumice.
"Concrete". Provisional name for the solidification of magma and ash that fell under the rain stream. This mixture has destroyed more than one city.

The eruption is an extremely dangerous phenomenon, for half a century it killed more than twenty scientists and several hundred civilians. Right now (as of this writing) Hawaiian Kilauea continues to destroy the island.

The largest volcano in the world

Mauna Loa is the tallest volcano on earth. It is located on the island of the same name (Hawaii) and rises 9 thousand meters from the bottom of the ocean.

His last awakening took place in the 84th year of the last century. However, in 2004 he showed the first signs of revival.

If there is the largest, then is there the smallest?

Yes, it is located in Mexico in the town of Pueblo and is called Catcomate, its height is only 13 meters.

Active volcanoes

If you open a map of the world, then with a sufficient level of knowledge, you can find about 600 active volcanoes. About four hundred of them are found in the "ring of fire" of the Pacific Ocean.

The eruption of the Guatemalan volcano Fuego

Perhaps someone will be interested in list of active volcanoes:

in Guatemala - Fuego;
in the Hawaiian Islands - Kilauea;
within the Icelandic border - Lakagigar;
in the Canary Islands - La Palma;
in the Hawaiian Islands - Loihi;
on the Antarctic island - Erebus;
Greek Nisyros;
the Italian volcano Etna;
on the Caribbean island of Montserrat - Soufrière Hills;
Italian mountain in the Tyrrhenian Sea - Stromboli;
and the most famous Italian - Mount Vesuvius.

Extinct volcanoes of the world

Volcanologists sometimes cannot say for sure whether a natural object is extinct or dormant. In most cases, zero activity of a particular mountain does not guarantee safety. More than once, the giants, who had fallen asleep for many years, suddenly showed signs of revitalization. This was the case with a volcano near the city of Manila, but there are many similar examples.

Kilimanjaro volcano

Below are just some of the extinct volcanoes known to our scientists:

Kilimanjaro (Tanzania);
Mt Warning (in Australia);
Chaine des Puys (in France);
Elbrus (Russia).

The most dangerous volcanoes in the world

The eruption of even a small volcano looks impressive, one has only to imagine what a monstrous power lurks there, in the depths of the mountain. However, there is clear data used by volcanologists.

Through long observations, a special classification of potentially dangerous volcanic mountains was created. The indicator determines the impact of the eruption on the surrounding area.

The most powerful explosion can follow from the eruption of a mountain of colossal proportions. Volcanologists call this kind of "fiery" mountains a supervolcano. On the scale of activity, such formations should occupy a level not lower than the eighth.

Taupo volcano in New Zealand

There are four of these:

Indonesian supervolcano of Sumatra-Toba island.
Taupo, which is located in New Zealand.
Serra Galan in the Andean mountains.
Yellowstone in Wyoming's eponymous North American park.

We have collected the most interesting facts:

the largest (in terms of duration) is the eruption of Pinatubo in 91 years (20th century), which lasted more than a year and reduced the temperature of the earth by half a degree (Celsius);
the mountain described above threw 5 km 3 of ash to a height of thirty-five kilometers;
the largest explosion occurred on the territory of Alaska (1912), when the Novarupta volcano became more active, reaching a level of six points on the VEI scale;
the most dangerous is Kilauea, which has been erupting for thirty years since 1983. Currently active. Killed more than 100 people, over a thousand more remain at risk (2018);
the deepest eruption to date has occurred at a depth of 1200 meters - Mount Western Mata, near Fiji, the Lau River basin;
the temperature in the pyroclastic flow can be more than 500 degrees Celsius;
the last supervolcano erupted on the planet about 74,000 years ago (Indonesia). Therefore, we can say that not a single person has ever experienced such a catastrophe;
Klyuchevsky on the Kamchatka Peninsula is considered the largest active volcano in the Northern Hemisphere;
ash and gases from volcanoes can color sunsets;
the volcano with the coldest lava (500 degrees) is called Ol Doinyo Langai and is located in Tanzania.

How many volcanoes on earth

There are not too many ruptures of the earth's crust in Russia. From the school course in geography, it is known about the Klyuchevskoy volcano.

In addition to him, on the beautiful planet there are about six hundred active, as well as a thousand extinct and sleeping. It is difficult to establish the exact number, but their number does not exceed two thousand.

Conclusion

Humanity should respect nature and remember that it has more than one and a half thousand volcanoes in service. And let as few people as possible witness such a powerful phenomenon as an eruption.

In ancient times, people thought that a volcanic eruption was sent to them as punishment from the Gods, but today, we know that it is actually tectonic plates moving and releasing hot magma from the bowels of the earth's crust. The classification of the world's most dangerous volcanoes is the subject of much debate. Nothing and no one can predict the date of a volcanic eruption, it only happens when Mother Nature wishes it. Listed below are some of the most dangerous active volcanoes in the world that are found near large settlements.

Mauna Loa, Hawaii

Mauna Loa is considered the largest volcano on Earth in terms of volume and area of coverage. It is one of five volcanoes that form the Island of Hawaii in the US state of Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean. The volcano originated about 700,000 years ago.
The last eruption of Mauna Loa took place from March 24 to April 15, 1984. Due to the danger emanating from it for nearby settlements, Mauna Loa is under constant supervision of the Hawaiian Volcanic Observatory.

Taal, Philippines

Taal Volcano is located on the island of Luzon, in the Philippines. It is located about 50 km. (31 miles) from the capital, Manila. It is considered one of the smallest active volcanoes on the planet.
The Taal volcano has erupted approximately 30 times since 1572. One of the most destructive eruptions occurred on January 30, 1911, which claimed 1335 lives. The last eruption was recorded in 1965, then about 200 people died.
Recently, on June 8, 2010, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology announced that the volcano was undergoing a magmatic invasion that could eventually erupt.

Ulawun, Papua New Guinea

Ulavun is one of the most active volcanoes in Papua New Guinea and one of the most dangerous. This is the highest point (2334 m) of the Bismarck archipelago.
The first recorded eruption was recorded in 1700. The next eruption was in 1915, when a small settlement of Toriu, located 50 km from the volcano, was covered with a 10-centimeter layer of ash. The last few years have seen constant activity, with frequent small explosions. On February 14-15, 2010, ash was ejected from the volcano's crater, reaching an altitude of 3.7 km. In total, 22 eruptions of this volcano have been recorded.

Nyiragongo, DR Congo

Nyiragongo is a volcano in Africa, one of eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains. It is located near the city of Goma in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its crater is 2 km wide and 250 meters deep. Sometimes a lake of lava forms in the crater.
Since 1882, it has erupted at least 34 times, including when one eruption lasted for many years continuously. The last devastating eruption of Nyiragongo occurred on January 17, 2002, when lava flowed down the slope and covered about 40% of the city of Goma. After this eruption, 120,000 people were left homeless.

Merapi, Indonesia

Merapi translates as "mountain of fire". It is located on the island of Java, not far from the city of Yogyakarta. It is the most active volcano in Indonesia and has erupted regularly since 1548.
The most destructive eruption took place in 1673 then, several cities and a very large number of villages that were located at the foot of the volcano were destroyed.
Typically, small eruptions occur every two to three years, and larger ones every 10-15 years or so. Its volcanic activity in 1006 is said to have destroyed the Javanese-Indian kingdom of Mataram. The last eruption took place in 2010, then 350,000 people were evacuated, but not without casualties - 353 people died.

Galeras, Colombia

Galeras has been considered an active volcano for at least a million years. It is located in southern Colombia, near the border with Ecuador, near the town of Pasto. Its height is 4276 meters. It is currently the most active volcano in Colombia.
On January 14, 1993, an expedition to the mouth of the volcano took place, which ended in a disaster as a result of an unexpected eruption, six scientists and three tourists died.
Galeras since 2000 have unexpectedly erupted almost every year. The last volcanic eruption was recorded on January 3, 2010, when about 9,000 people were evacuated.

Sakurajima, Japan

Sakurajima is an active composite volcano located on the Osumi Peninsula of Kyushu Island in the Japanese prefecture of Kagoshima. It is often called Eastern Vesuvius. It erupts almost constantly, releasing large volumes of volcanic ash into the environment, up to several kilometers in height. Sakurajima is very dangerous due to its location, it is located just a few kilometers from the city of Kagoshima, with 700 thousand inhabitants.
Since 1955, 7,300 eruptions have been recorded. The last eruption took place on August 18, 2013.

Popocatepetl, Mexico

Popocatepetl is an active volcano, the second highest (5426 m) in Mexico after the peak of Orizaba. The name translates as "Smoking Hill". It is located at a distance of 40 kilometers from the city of Puebla (inhabited by approximately 1,538,000 people).
The volcano has erupted more than 20 times since 1519. The last major eruption occurred in 2000, fortunately, scientists were able to warn in time the Mexican government, which evacuated, the population.

Vesuvius, Italy

Mount Vesuvius is located in southern Italy, near Naples. It is the only active volcano in continental Europe. Vesuvius is the most famous of all volcanoes, for its eruption in 79 AD, which led to the destruction of the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, Oplontis and the Villa Stabius. Vesuvius has erupted many times, but fortunately, the last eruption was recorded in 1944.
It is the most populous volcanic region in the world.

Yellowstone Caldera, USA

This volcano is the most dangerous in the world, as it is an active supervolcano, which is capable of erupting more than 1000 cubic kilometers of emissions, which is thousands of times more than any eruption known in history. The eruptions of such volcanoes usually cover huge areas and can become one of the reasons for the “end of the world”.
The probability of a giant eruption in the modern period is estimated by scientists at 0.00014%.
In the disaster movie 2012, a giant eruption of the Yellowstone Caldera was reproduced using special effects.

Volcanic activity is a regular and harsh reminder that the planet we live on has an ever-changing geology. Located along the edges of tectonic plates, the volcano erupts through cracks, boiling magma, ash and gases from below the earth's surface to explode in response to changes in tectonic plate positions.

The catastrophic nature of erupting volcanoes in many ancient civilizations was attributed to the violent mood swings of the gods. We now have a more scientific understanding of volcanic eruptions, but these can still be unpredictable and dangerous. We present to your attention the ten active and most dangerous volcanoes in the world.

10. Mauna Loa, Hawaii

This volcano in Hawaii has been active for 700,000 years. Fortunately, many of the eruptions are slow, but sometimes the lava flows become fast and pose a threat to nearby towns and villages. There is also the possibility of dangerous earthquakes.

9. Taal, Philippines

The volcano is located on Luzon Island in the center of Taal Lake. Its proximity to Manila makes it a constant threat to over 1.6 million residents. Since 1572, the volcano has erupted 33 times. Visitors are advised to view the volcano from afar, although many tourists do not follow this recommendation.

8. Ulawun, Papua New Guinea

Ulavun volcano is one of the most active on the planet. It has had 22 major eruptions since the 1700s, and residents in the surrounding area report seeing minor eruptions on a regular basis. The structural integrity of Ulawun is questionable; if a collapse occurs, the eruption could destroy hundreds of square kilometers of land.

7. Nyiragongo, Democratic Republic of the Congo

This dramatic volcano has impressive lava lakes near its crater. These lakes come and go, sometimes with quite devastating consequences. In 1977, an eruption occurred in which lava reached a speed of 97 km / h and destroyed nearby villages, killing and injuring thousands of people. 147 people died in the 2002 eruption, while another 120,000 lost their homes.

6. Merapi, Indonesia

Volcano Merapi is considered the most active volcano in Indonesia, and it produced a record amount of lava. Measuring only the flow, Merapi is the most active volcano on the planet. It has been active for at least 10 thousand years. A survey of the 2010 eruption recorded 353 people dead, and more than 320 thousand people were left homeless.

5. Galeras, Colombia

This volcano is located near the Ecuadorian border. It erupts frequently and actively for an impressive long time. Scientists estimate that the volcano has erupted for one million years or more. The first recorded eruption was in 1580, and between 1978 and 1988, Galeras was temporarily inactive. Once active again, it behaves in a menacing manner, erupting almost every year since the turn of the millennium. The town of Pasto on the eastern slope of Galeras is home to 450,000 residents.

4. Sakurajima, Japan

In the list of active volcanoes, Sakurajima is known as the "Vesuvius of the East", referring to its high activity. It is separated from the mainland of Japan, but the lava flows from the 1914 eruptions actually created a bridge of the earth, connecting it to the rest of Japan. Sakurajima produces thousands of small eruptions every year. If a major eruption occurs, 700,000 residents in Kagoshima City will be in danger.

3. Popocatepetl, Mexico

Popocatepetl is located just 56 km from Mexico City and broke out recently, in 2000. Forty one thousand people would be in danger of losing their lives if they were not evacuated on time. Nine million people live in the blast radius. If a major eruption ever occurs, it will be a disaster. Therefore, Popocatepetl is one of the most dangerous volcanoes on the planet, and the most active.

2. Vesuvius, Italy

Vesuvius is one of the most famous volcanoes in the world. Anyone who has studied history in high school knows about the famous catastrophic eruption in 79 AD. BC, which destroyed the cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii. Volcanic ash has preserved two sites, making it one of the most famous archaeological sites on earth. Vesuvius erupts cyclically, approximately every 20 years. The last recorded eruption dates from 1944, so the next eruption is just around the corner. Three million people are not only within the blast radius, but also close to the crater. This is another volcano that poses a serious threat to an incredible number of people.

1. Yellowstone Volcano, USA

Number one active volcano on our list is the Yellowstone Caldera. The active volcanic caldera in the National Park attracts about three million visitors a year. Its geysers and hot springs are wonderful, but they are also potentially deadly. Yellowstone is a supervolcano. Indeed, the famous major eruption of the supervolcano occurred at Yellowstone 640,000 years ago. If Yellowstone explodes, an estimated 87,000 people will be killed instantly. The entire western United States will be devastated, and the ashes will affect the ecology and health of people across the country and around the world. The explosion will be a global catastrophe of unprecedented proportions, and there is no way to predict how far its consequences will spread.

We no longer associate volcanic explosions with the whims of angry gods, but we believe that it is necessary to treat them with respect, at least we should, to protect the people who live within the radius of possible action. The magnitude of damage from volcanoes can be enormous. The best geologists have come to understand volcanoes, and have determined that it is better to predict their explosions and protect large settlements.

Undoubtedly, active volcanoes in the world are one of the most fascinating and beautiful and at the same time frightening natural phenomena. These geological formations played a key role in the formation of the Earth. Thousands of years ago there were a huge number of them all over the planet.

Today, there are few volcanoes that are still active. Some of them scare, delight, and at the same time destroy entire settlements. Let's see where the most famous active volcanoes are located.

Llullaillaco

A typical stratovolcano (has a layered, conical shape) 6739 m high. It is located on the border of Chile and Argentina.

Such a complex name can be interpreted in different ways:

"Water that cannot be found despite the long search";
"Soft mass that becomes hard."

On the side of the Chilean state, at the foot of the volcano, there is a National Park with the same name - Llullaillaco, so the surroundings of the mountain are very picturesque. During the ascent to the top, tourists meet donkeys, many species of birds and guanacos living in natural conditions.

There are two routes to climb to the crater:

north - duration 4.6 km, the road is suitable for driving;
southern - duration 5 km.

If you are going to hike, take special shoes and an ice ax with you, as there are snowy areas along the way.

Interesting fact! During the first ascent in 1952, an ancient Inca depository was discovered on the mountain, and in 1999, mummies of a girl and a boy were found near the crater. According to scientists, they became ritual victims.

The strongest eruptions were recorded three times - in 1854 and 1866. The last eruption of an active volcano happened in 1877.

San Pedro

The 6145 meter tall giant is located in the Andes Mountains, in northern Chile near Bolivia in the Western Cordillera. The peak of the volcano rises above the longest body of water in Chile - Loa.

San Pedro is one of the tallest active volcanoes. For the first time, it was possible to climb to the crater in 1903. Today it is a unique attraction in Chile, which attracts thousands of tourists from different parts of the world. In the XX century, the volcano reminded of itself 7 times, the last time in 1960. For more than half a century, San Pedro has been like a bubbling cauldron that could explode at any moment. At the foot there are signs that warn that climbing to the crater is possible only with a mask that protects against toxic emissions.

Interesting:

San Pedro is one of the few giant volcanoes that has remained active to this day. Many giants are considered extinct.
San Pedro's neighbor is the San Pablo volcano. It is located to the east and its height is 6150 m. The two mountains are connected by a high saddle.
Chileans tell many legends associated with the San Pedro volcano, since each eruption in the past was considered a heavenly sign and had a mystical meaning.
For descendants of migrants from Spain and local indigenous people, the volcano is a source of constant and considerable income.

El Misti

Among all the active volcanoes in the world on the map, this one is rightfully considered the most beautiful. Its top is sometimes snowy. The mountain is located near the city of Arequipa, its height is 5822 meters. The volcano is notable for the fact that at its top there are two craters with diameters of almost 1 km and 550 m.

There are unusual parabolic dunes on the slopes. They appeared as a result of constant winds between El Misti and Mount Cerro Takune, they stretch for 20 km.

The first active action of the volcano was recorded during the migration of Europeans to Latin America. The strongest, destructive catastrophe occurred in 1438. In the XX century, the volcano several times showed varying degrees of activity:

In 1948, for half a year;
in 1959;
in 1985, steam emissions were observed.

Scientists from Peru made a conclusion a few years ago that the seismic activity of the volcano is gradually increasing. This leads to earthquakes, which are not uncommon in the area. Considering that El Misti is located near a large settlement in Peru, this makes it a rather dangerous active volcano.

Popocatepetl

Located in Mexico, the highest point reaches 5500 m above sea level. It is the second highest mountain peak on the territory of the state.

The Aztecs believed that worshiping a volcano would grant rain, so they regularly brought offerings here.

Popocatepetl is dangerous because many cities have been built around it:

the capitals of the states of Puebla and Tlaxcal;
Mexico City and Cholula.

According to scientists, during its history, the volcano has erupted more than three dozen times. The last eruption was recorded in May 2013. During the disaster, the airport in Puebla was closed and the streets were covered in ash. Despite the hidden danger, thousands of tourists from all over the world come to the volcano every year to admire the scenery, listen to the legend and enjoy the greatness of the mountain.

Sangay volcano

Sangay is one of the ten active volcanoes, which are the most powerful in the world. The mountain is located in South America, its height is 5230 meters. In translation, the name of the volcano means "fearsome" and this fully reflects its behavior - eruptions are frequent here, and sometimes stones weighing 1 ton fall from the sky. At the top of the mountain, covered with eternal snow, there are three craters with a diameter of 50 to 100 meters.

The age of the volcano is about 14 thousand years, the giant has been especially active in recent decades. One of the most destructive activities was recorded in 2006, the eruption lasted more than a year.

The first ascent took almost 1 month, today tourists travel with comfort, by car, people overcome the final section of the way on mules. The journey takes several days. In general, the journey is assessed as quite difficult, so few decide to climb to the crater. Tourists who have conquered the mountain smell the persistent smell of sulfur and are surrounded by smoke. As a reward, an amazing landscape opens up from the height of the summit.

The volcano is surrounded by the Sangay National Park, which covers an area of more than 500 hectares. In 1992, UNESCO listed the park as endangered sites. However, in 2005 the object was excluded from the list.

Interesting fact! The park area contains the three highest volcanoes in Ecuador - Sangay, Tungurahua and El Altar.

Klyuchevskaya Sopka

The volcano is the highest on the territory of the continent of Eurasia - 4750 meters, and its age is more than 7 thousand years. Klyuchevskaya Sopka is located in the central part of Kamchatka, there are several other volcanoes nearby. The giant's height increases after each eruption. There are more than 80 side craters on the slopes, so several lava flows are formed during the eruption.

The volcano is one of the most active in the world and declares itself regularly, approximately once every 3-5 years. The duration of each activity reaches several months. The first happened in 1737. During 2016, the volcano was active 55 times.

The most serious catastrophe was recorded in 1938, its duration was 13 months. As a result of the cataclysm, a crack 5 km long was formed. In 1945, the eruption was accompanied by severe rockfall. And in 1974, the active actions of Klyuchevskaya Sopka led to the explosion of the glacier.

During the 1984-1987 eruption, a new summit was formed, and ash emissions rose 15 km. In 2002, the volcano became more active, the greatest activity was recorded in 2005 and 2009. By 2010, the height of the mountain exceeded 5 km. In the spring of 2016, for several weeks, another eruption took place, accompanied by earthquakes, lava flows and ash ejections to a height of up to 11 km.

Mauna loa

The eruption of this huge volcano can be watched from anywhere in Hawaii. Mauna Loa is located in an archipelago formed by volcanic activity. Its height is 4169 meters. Feature - the crater is not round, so the distance from one edge to the other varies within 3-5 km. The inhabitants of the island call the mountain Long.

On a note! Many guides on the island lead tourists to the Mauna Kea volcano. It is indeed slightly higher than Mauna Loa, but unlike the latter, it is already extinct. Therefore, be sure to clarify which volcano you want to see.

Age Mauna Loa 700 thousand years, of which 300 thousand he was under water. The active actions of the volcano began to be recorded only in the first half of the 19th century. During this time, he reminded of himself more than 30 times. With each eruption, the size of the giant increases.

The most devastating disasters occurred in 1926 and 1950. The volcano destroyed several villages and a city. And the eruption in 1935 resembled the plot of the legendary Soviet film "The Crew". The last activity was recorded in 1984, for 3 weeks lava was poured out of the crater. In 2013, there were several earthquakes, which indicate that the volcano may soon show what it is capable of again.

We can say that scientists are most interested in Mauna Loa. According to seismologists, the volcano (one of the few in the world) will constantly erupt for another million years.

Cameroon

Located in the republic of the same name, on the shores of the Gulf of Guinea. This is the highest point of the state - 4040 meters. The foot of the mountain and its lower part are covered with tropical forests, there is no vegetation at the top, there is a small amount of snow.

In West Africa, it is the most active volcano of all active on the mainland. Over the past century, the giant showed himself 8 times. Each eruption resembles an explosion. The first records of the disaster date back to the 5th century BC. In 1922, volcanic lava reached the Atlantic coast. The last eruption took place in 2000.

Good to know! The optimal time for climbing is December or January. In February, the annual competition “Race of Hope” is held here. Thousands of participants climb to the top, competing in speed.

Kerinci

The highest volcano in Indonesia (its height reaches 3 km 800 meters) and the highest point in Sumatra. Located in the central part of the island, south of the city of Padang. Not far from the volcano is the Keinchi Seblat Park, which has national status.

The depth of the crater is more than 600 meters; there is a lake in its northeastern part. A violent eruption was recorded in 2004, when a column of ash and smoke rose 1 km. The last serious disaster was recorded in 2009, and in 2011 the activity of the volcano was felt in the form of characteristic tremors.

In the summer of 2013, the volcano threw out a column of ash 800 meters high. Residents of nearby settlements hastily collected their belongings and evacuated. Ashes stained the sky gray, and the air smelled of sulfur. Only 30 minutes passed, and several villages were covered with a thick layer of ash. Fears were caused by tea plantations, which are located near the volcano and also suffered as a result of the disaster. Fortunately, a heavy rain fell after the event, and the consequences of the eruption were washed away.

It is interesting! The ascent to the crater takes 2 to 3 days. The route is laid through dense forests, most often the road is slippery. To overcome the path, you will need the help of a guide. There have been cases in history when travelers disappeared, setting off on their own. It is best to start your ascent in the village of Kersik Tua.

Erebus

Active volcanoes on every continent (except Australia) attract the attention of scientists and tourists. Even in Antarctica there is one of them - Erebus. This volcano is located south of other objects that are the subject of research by seismologists. The height of the mountain is 3 km 794 m, and the size of the crater is slightly more than 800 m.

The volcano has been active since the end of the last century, then a station was opened in the state of New Mexico, its employees are monitoring its activities. A unique phenomenon of Erebus is a lava lake.

The object is named after the god Erebus. The mountain is located in a fault zone, which is why the volcano is recognized as one of the most active in the world. The gases emitted cause serious damage to the ozone layer. Scientists note that this is where the thinnest layer of ozone is.

Volcanic eruptions occur in the form of explosions, lava is thick, solidifies quickly and does not have time to spread over large areas.

The main hazard is ash, which makes air travel difficult as visibility is severely reduced. The mud stream is also dangerous, since it moves at high speed, and it is almost impossible to escape from it.

Erebus is an amazing natural creation - formidable, magical and enchanting. The lake in the crater attracts with its special mystery.

Etna

Located in Sicily, in the Mediterranean Sea. With a height of 3329 meters, it cannot be attributed to the highest active volcanoes in the world, but it can confidently be included in the most active. After each eruption, the height increases slightly. It is the largest volcano in Europe; its top is always decorated with a snow cap. The volcano has 4 central cones and about 400 lateral ones.

The first activity dates back to 1226 BC. The worst eruption occurred in 44 BC, it was so strong that ash completely covered the sky over the capital of Italy, destroyed the harvest on the Mediterranean coast. Today Etna is no less dangerous than it was in prehistoric times. The last eruption occurred in the spring of 2008 and lasted for almost 420 days.

The volcano is attractive for its varied vegetation, where you can find palms, cacti, pines, agaves, spruces, biscuses, fruit trees and vineyards. Some plants are characteristic only for Etna - a stone tree, an Ethnian violet. Numerous myths and legends are associated with the volcano and the mountain.

Kilauea

On the territory of the Hawaiian Islands, this is the most active volcano (although far from the highest in the world). In Hawaiian, Kilauea means highly flowing. Eruptions have been occurring continuously since 1983.

The volcano is located in the National Park of Volcanoes, its height is only 1 km 247 meters, but it compensates for its insignificant growth with activity. Kilauea appeared 25 thousand years ago, the diameter of the volcano's caldera is considered one of the largest in the world - about 4.5 km.

Interesting! According to legend, the volcano is the residence of the goddess Pele (goddess of volcanoes). Her tears are single drops of lava, and her hair is lava rivulets.

An amazing sight is the Puuoo lava lake, which is located in the crater. Molten rocks seethe restlessly, creating amazing streaks on the surface. It is dangerous to be near this natural phenomenon, since the fiery lava erupts to a height of 500 meters.

In addition to the lake, you can admire a natural cave here. Its length is more than 60 km. The cave ceiling is decorated with stalactites. Tourists note that a walk in the cave resembles a flight to the moon.

In 1990, volcanic lava completely destroyed the village, the thickness of the lava layer was from 15 to 25 meters. For 25 years, the volcano destroyed almost 130 houses, destroyed 15 km of roadway, and lava covered an area of 120 km.

The whole world watched the powerful eruption of Kilauea in 2014. The eruption was accompanied by periodic earthquakes. Huge volumes of lava destroyed residential buildings and working farms. The evacuation of the nearest settlements was carried out, but not all residents showed a desire to leave their homes.

On which continent there are no active volcanoes

There are no extinct or active volcanoes in Australia. This is due to the fact that the mainland is located far from crustal faults and volcanic lava has no outlet to the surface.

The opposite of Australia is Japan - the country is located in the most dangerous tectonic zone. 4 tectonic plates collide here.