A volcanic eruption is one of the most spectacular natural phenomena, which attracts a person’s attention, despite considerable danger. A particularly impressive picture is obtained when observing a night eruption. But for the surrounding wildlife, volcanoes initially bring death. Flowing lava, pyroclastic flows, and volcanic bombs can easily destroy nearby human settlements.
1. Llullaillaco, Argentina and Chile (6739 m)
This active volcano is located on the Chilean-Argentine border, in the Peruvian Andes, in the Western Cordillera range. Like several other very high volcanoes, it is located in perhaps the driest Atacama Desert in the world, on the high mountain plateau of Puna de Atacama. Its top is covered with eternal snow. Its last explosive eruption occurred in 1877, and it is now in the solfataric stage. Interestingly, in 1999, three mummified children’s bodies were found near the top of the volcano; it is believed that the Incas sacrificed them here about 500 years ago.
2. San Pedro, Chile (6145 m)
This active Andean volcano is located in northern Chile, closer to the Bolivian border. It is located on the edge of the Atacama Desert, northeast of the city of Calama, in the province of El Loa. This stratovolcano is mainly composed of basalts, dacites and andesites. East of San Pedro is a similar volcano, San Pablo, which has a height of 6092 meters. A high saddle stretches between the volcanoes. San Pedro last erupted in 1960. The documented first ascent of this peak in 1903 was made by the Frenchman George Corti and the Chilean Philemon Morales.
3. Cotopaxi, Ecuador (5897 m)
The active Cotopaxi volcano is the highest in Ecuador and the second highest peak in that country. This is one of highest peaks the western extremity of the South American ridge of the Eastern Cordillera. This superactive volcano erupted approximately 50 times after 1738, but went quiet for a long time in 1877. Finally, after more than a century, Cotopaxi erupted again in 2015. Translated from the Quechua language, the name of the volcano can be translated as “smoking mountain.” Its first recorded eruption occurred in 1534, with major ones occurring in 1532, 1742, 1768, 1864 and 1877. Until 1940, there was little activity.
In 1768, the most destructive eruption of Cotopaxi occurred. A huge column of ash and steam rose from its mouth in early April, and on April 4, emissions of lava, sulfur and pyroclastic flows began. As a result of a strong earthquake, the city of Latacunga and nearby settlements were completely destroyed. The products of the volcano's explosion were later found hundreds of kilometers away, including on the shores of the Pacific Ocean and in the Amazon basin.
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4. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (5895 m)
Africa's highest peak, Kilimanjaro, is a potential stratovolcano. The mountain is located in the northeast of Tanzania near the Masai plateau, which itself is raised 900 m above sea level. Volcanologists discovered in 2003 that magma is located under the crater of the main peak of the Kibo volcano at a depth of only 400 m. Now the volcano is only emitting gases and so far there is nothing indicating the proximity of an eruption. But there is an opinion that the dome of the volcano may collapse, and then a catastrophe similar to what happened during the eruption of Mount St. Helens could occur. In the past, ground shifts and landslides have already been observed on Kibo, after one of which a “western gap” was formed. Human history does not remember the eruptions of Kilimanjaro, although local legends speak of the prehistoric activity of the now dormant volcano.
5. Misti, Peru (5822 m)
This South American volcano is located on southern territory Peru. In winter, its top is covered with snow. Misti is an active volcano; its last, rather weak, eruption was noted in 1985. The shape of the cone suggests that Misti is an ordinary stratovolcano, the eruptions of which alternate between the outpouring of lava and explosions with the release of pyroclastic flows and clouds of ash. The volcano has three concentric craters. According to research by volcanologists, over the last century there have been five weak eruptions of this volcano. But in the 15th century, residents of the city of Arequipa were forced to flee due to the strong eruption of Misti. Not far from the inner crater in 1998, 6 mummified bodies of the Incas and a number of artifacts were found.
6. Orizaba, Mexico (5675 m)
This Mexican volcano is the highest point in the country and the third highest in all of North America. It belongs to the stratovolcanoes, and its eruptions were recorded in 1537, 1566, 1569, 1613, 1630 and 1687. The last eruption occurred in 1846, which proves that this volcano is one of the most active. From its top you can clearly see the city of Orizaba with a population of more than 117 thousand people and the valley below.
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7. Elbrus, Russia (5642 m)
Most high mountain On the territory of modern Russia is the Caucasian stratovolcano Elbrus. Its slopes are covered with glaciers, melt water from which feeds the largest rivers of the Stavropol Territory and the Caucasus - Malka, Kuban and Baksan. These places are very well populated, the transport infrastructure is developed here, so the surroundings of Elbrus are very popular among supporters various types active recreation (tourists, climbers, skiers). True, even scientists themselves cannot firmly say whether Elbrus is an extinct or still active volcano. Perhaps he will someday wake up from a long hibernation, or maybe a new volcano will grow somewhere nearby.
The fact that life still glimmers in the depths of Elbrus is evidenced by the fact that in its vicinity there are many thermal springs, the most famous of them is Jila-Su, in which the water has a temperature of +24 degrees. If hot water constantly bursting from underground - this means that deep in the depths of the volcanic processes continue. In addition, people measured the soil temperature at an altitude of 5621 m (almost at the top), and it turned out to be +21 degrees, while the surrounding air was -20 degrees. That's why green moss grows in some areas here. This is also clear evidence of weak volcanic activity. A number of scientists suggest that in a few hundred, and perhaps thousands of years, Elbrus will wake up again.
8. Popocatepetl, Mexico (5426 m)
This is an active Mexican volcano, whose name is formed by two words from the Nahuatl language: “popoka” means “smoking”, and “tepetl” means “hill”. This is one of the most active Mexican volcanoes. After the beginning of the Spanish colonization of Mexico, it produced over 20 powerful eruptions. Many of its glaciers did not survive until the beginning of the new millennium; instead, in some places there were layers of ice that lava had not yet reached. This even changed the local climate. The volcano began to erupt especially often after 1994, and its last eruption occurred in 2015. A powerful eruption occurred in 2005, when volcanic bombs rose 3 kilometers into the air. In May 2013 there was also a strong eruption, then debris flew 700 m from the crater.
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9. Sangay, Ecuador (5230 m)
This active stratovolcano is located in South America, on the eastern slopes of the Andes in Ecuador. According to scientists, it appeared only 14 thousand years ago. Its first eruption was recorded in 1628, and the last one occurred quite recently - in 2016. After 1934, the volcano began to erupt especially frequently. Its name can be translated as “frightening” or “frightening.” At the top of the volcano there are three craters with diameters of 50-100 meters. Moreover, they are all active.
10. Tolima, Colombia (5215 m)
The Tolima stratovolcano is located in the Colombian department of the same name and is surrounded by national park Los Nevados. This is also a fairly young volcano, about 40 thousand years old. A funnel-shaped crater with a depth of 200-300 m appeared in it quite recently - around 1926. During the Holocene era, this volcano experienced explosive eruptions that varied in power: there were both moderate and Plinian ones. The largest eruption occurred here about 3600 years ago. As for the two last centuries, then only small volcanic explosions were recorded. Over the past decades, the appearance of the volcano has mainly changed due to the movement of glaciers along its slopes. This, in turn, is accompanied by noticeable seismicity and surface activity.
There are more than 50 volcanoes in Ecuador, and only eight of them are active, that is, in a state of constant or periodic eruption. The largest of them, the Tungurahua volcano, is located several tens of kilometers from the capital of Ecuador, Quito, with a population of just over 2 million people. The height of this volcano is 5,016 km.
But Tungurahua - in the language of the indigenous Quechua Indians this means “Fiery Throat” - is not the most “aggressive” volcano on the planet. Another Latin American country is leading here, Chile, where the Calbuco volcano, located in the southeast of Lake Llanquihue and in the south of the country, is currently erupting. Chile is one of the five countries with the largest number of active volcanoes.
Expert volcanologists point out that there are a great many factors accompanying the eruption of any volcano - the nature of the eruption itself, the proximity of the volcano to settlements, the strength of the eruption, etc., so it is simply impossible to make a list of the most dangerous. However, they agree on naming the five countries with the most active volcanoes on the planet, noting that due to the lack of monitoring and study of the history of many volcanoes, it is very difficult to determine which volcanoes are the most active. This is also facilitated by the fact that reports compiled by various organizations were sometimes incomplete and their conclusions did not coincide.
Chile. There are about 95 active volcanoes here. Currently, the most active are Villarica, in the south, whose most recent eruption occurred in March this year, and Copahue, located on the border with Argentina, which almost constantly spews columns of gas and, periodically, ash. Other Chilean volcanoes have also been active more recently: Puyehue (2011) and Chaitén (2008). According to Ami Donovan, a volcanologist at the University of Cambridge (UK), it is also important to mention the Lascar volcano in Atacama, in the north of the country, where a new volcanic process began in 2006.
Indonesia. It is believed that there are about 120 active volcanoes in this country. Mount Merapi, 400 km from the capital Jakarta, is one of the most active volcanoes, whose location allows you to observe it in close proximity. Mount Sinabung, in northern Sumatra, erupted in early April this year. Tambora, a super-volcano, triggered the largest eruption on record in 1815, its ash plume reaching more than 30 km in height and the eruption affecting crops across much of Europe, causing famine and disease.
USA. It is estimated that there are 130 active volcanoes here, which are constantly monitored. Deciding whether or not to conduct expensive monitoring of a given volcano, Donovan says, is a difficult decision because eruptions are so rare. Scientists can observe a volcano that has not erupted for thousands of years, but failure to monitor and “awakening” the volcano is fraught with many unpredictable consequences, especially if it is located near populated areas.
Hawaii is home to the Kilauea volcano, the most active on the island and one of the most active in the world as a whole, which erupted in 1993. The United States is also home to Mount Santa Helena, located in Washington County, whose famously devastating eruption in 1980 claimed 57 lives.
Japan. This is the hearth of the large number active volcanoes. According to Bill McGuire, emeritus professor of geophysics and climate disasters at University College London, there are about 66 of them, including the famous Fuji, which could erupt at any time. Sakurahima is another active colossus located in the south of Kuishu Island. Due to its danger, authorities warned the population of the need to evacuate. Another volcano, Ontake, the second highest in the country, is located in the central region. It erupted in September 2014, causing more than 30 deaths and injuring dozens of Japanese.
Russia. Here, most active volcanoes are concentrated on the Kamchatka Peninsula, in the easternmost corner of the vast country. They form part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. It is difficult to strictly determine the exact number of volcanoes located on the Kamchatka Peninsula, from several hundred to more than a thousand. The volcanoes of Kamchatka are characterized by a wide variety of shapes and sizes; they were formed in different periods and are currently active to varying degrees. Most of them are dormant volcanoes that are not currently active, however, some volcanoes are active. Currently, there are about 29 active volcanoes in Kamchatka.
Volcanic eruptions are dangerous primarily due to their direct impact - the release of tons of burning lava, under which entire cities can perish. But, in addition to this, such side factors as the suffocating effect of volcanic gases, the threat of a tsunami, isolation from sunlight, distortion of the terrain and local climate changes.
Merapi, Indonesia
Merapi is one of the largest volcanoes on the Indonesian islands. It is also one of the most active: large eruptions occur once every seven to eight years, and small ones - once every two years. At the same time, smoke appears from the top of the volcano almost every day, not allowing local residents to forget about the threat. Merapi is also famous for the fact that in 1006 the entire medieval Javanese-Indian state of Mataram was seriously damaged by his activities. The volcano is especially dangerous because it is located near the large Indonesian city of Yogyakarta, which is home to about 400 thousand people.
Sakurajima, Japan
Sakurajima has been in constant volcanic activity since 1955, with its last eruption occurring in early 2009. Until 1914, the volcano was located on a separate island of the same name, but frozen lava flows connected the island with the Osumi Peninsula. Residents of the city of Kagoshima are already accustomed to the restless behavior of the volcano and are constantly ready to take refuge in shelters.
Aso Volcano, Japan
The last time volcanic activity was recorded at the volcano was quite recently, in 2011. Then the ash cloud spread over an area of more than 100 km. From that time to the present, about 2,500 tremors have been recorded, which indicates the activity of the volcano and its readiness to erupt. Despite the immediate danger, about 50 thousand people live in the immediate vicinity, and the crater is a popular tourist attraction for daredevils. In winter, the slopes are covered with snow and people go skiing and sledding in the valley.
Popocatepetl, Mexico
One of the largest volcanoes in Mexico is located literally fifty kilometers from. This is a city with a population of 20 million people who are in constant readiness to evacuate. In addition to Mexico City, major cities such as Puebla and Tlaxcala de Xicotencatl are located nearby. Popocatepetl also gives them a reason to be nervous: emissions of gas, sulfur, dust and stones occur literally every month. In recent decades, the volcano has erupted in 2000, 2005 and 2012. Many climbers strive to climb to its peak. Popocatepetl is famous for the fact that in 1955 it was conquered by Ernesto Che Guevara.
Etna, Italy
This Sicilian volcano is interesting because it has not only one main wide crater, but also many small craters on the slopes. Etna is constantly active, with small eruptions occurring every few months. This does not prevent the Sicilians from densely populating the slopes of the volcano, since the presence of minerals and trace elements makes the soil very fertile. The last major eruption was in May 2011, and minor emissions of ash and dust occurred in April 2013. By the way, Etna is the largest volcano in the world: it is two and a half times larger than Vesuvius.
Vesuvius, Italy
Vesuvius is one of the three active volcanoes in Italy, along with Etna and Stromboli. They are even jokingly called the “hot Italian family.” In 79, the eruption of Vesuvius destroyed the city of Pompeii and all its inhabitants, who were buried under layers of lava, pumice and mud. One of the last major eruptions, in 1944, killed about 60 people and almost completely destroyed the nearby towns of San Sebastiano and Massa. According to scientists, Vesuvius destroyed nearby cities about 80 times! By the way, this volcano has set many records. Firstly, this is the only active volcano on the mainland, secondly, it is the most studied and predictable, and thirdly, the territory of the volcano is a nature reserve and a national park where excursions are held. You can only go up on foot, since the lift and funicular have not yet been restored.
Colima, Mexico
The volcanic mountain consists of two peaks: the already extinct Nevado de Colima, which is covered with snow most of the time, and the active Colima Volcano. Colima is particularly active: it has erupted more than 40 times since 1576. A strong eruption occurred in the summer of 2005, when authorities had to evacuate people from nearby villages. Then a column of ash was thrown to a height of about 5 km, spreading a cloud of smoke and dust behind it. Now the volcano is fraught with danger not only for local residents, but also for the entire country.
Mauna Loa, Hawaii, USA
Scientists have been monitoring the volcano since 1912 - there is a volcanological station on its slopes, as well as solar and atmospheric observatories. The height of the volcano reaches 4169 m. The last strong eruption of Mauna Loa destroyed several villages in 1950. Until 2002, the seismic activity of the volcano was low, until an increase was recorded, which indicates the possibility of eruptions in the near future.
Galeras, Colombia
The Galeras volcano is very powerful: its diameter at the base exceeds 20 km, and the width of the crater is about 320 m. The volcano is very dangerous - every few years, due to its activity, the population of the nearby town of Pasto has to be evacuated. The last such evacuation took place in 2010, when about 9 thousand people found themselves in shelters due to the threat of a strong eruption. Thus, the restless Galeras keeps local residents in constant suspense.
Nyiragongo, Republic of Congo
The Nyiragongo volcano is considered the most dangerous in all: it accounts for about half of all cases of volcanic activity recorded on the continent. Since 1882, there have been 34 eruptions. Lava of Nyiragongo has a special chemical composition, so it is unusually liquid and flowing. The speed of erupted lava can reach 100 km/h. In the main crater of the volcano there is a lava lake, the temperature of which heats up to 982 Cº, and the bursts reach a height of 7 to 30 m. The last largest eruption occurred in 2002, then 147 people died, 14 thousand buildings were destroyed, and 350 thousand people left homeless.
It is worth noting that scientists have been studying the activity of volcanoes for many years and modern technology recognizes the beginning of their seismic activity. Many volcanoes have webcams that allow you to monitor what is happening in real time. People living nearby are already accustomed to this behavior of volcanoes and know what to do when an eruption begins, and services emergency situations have the means to evacuate local residents. So every year the likelihood of casualties from volcanic eruptions becomes less and less.
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Boiling hot lava, vast clouds of volcanic ash eclipsing the Sun, dying people and entire cities are the subject of many paintings, books and films. These days, “disreputable” volcanoes that continue to erupt are popular with tourists and thrill-seekers. We will tell you about the five most famous active volcanoes on Earth.
Vesuvius
On the conscience of this relatively low (1300 meters above sea level) volcano on the shores of the picturesque Bay of Naples are two destroyed ancient Roman cities, Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Vesuvius has erupted several times in Italian memory, most recently in 1944. Eruptions were always accompanied by destruction and casualties; in 1805, the city of Naples was even destroyed. However, the area around the volcano is densely populated - volcanic ash fertilizes the ground.
Krakatoa
The only known volcano that managed to be reborn after it destroyed itself. In 1883, the most destructive eruption in the history of mankind occurred at the Krakatoa volcano, located on the island of the same name between Java and Sumatra.
The tsunami wave washed away 295 Indonesian cities and villages into the sea, killing 35 thousand people. Both the island of Krakatoa and the volcano itself were destroyed. However, in 1927, the volcano broke through the ocean and declared itself with a new eruption. The new volcano was named Anak Krakatau, and it is believed that it has a serious impact on the climate of the entire Earth. The last activity of the Krakatoa volcano was observed in 2014.
Fujiyama
The Japanese have a peculiar attitude towards Fuji; they do not experience mortal horror, rather the opposite. Followers of the Shinto religion consider Fuji a shrine, a symbol of the immortality of the soul, and even built a temple on its top, next to post office and a meteorological station. Fuji, along with tourists from all over the world, is visited annually by thousands of Shinto pilgrims.
Hekla
Since then, about three dozen significant eruptions have occurred. All are completely different from one another and unpredictable. Some are short, a few days, others can last for months. And the eruption, which began in March 1947, ended only in April 1948. Icelanders believe that the longer the volcano’s “hibernation” lasts, the more catastrophic the consequences of the earthquake will be.
Klyuchevskaya Sopka
Outside the Caucasus, Klyuchevskaya Sopka is the most high mountain in Russia (4800 meters). And the highest active volcano on the Eurasian continent. Klyuchevskaya Sopka is the most active of Kamchatka's 29 active volcanoes; the last eruption occurred in 2013.
Despite the restless and unpredictable nature of the volcano, climbers and mountain tourists often climb Klyuchevskaya Sopka. The volcano also attracts tourists with an amazing natural phenomenon - lenticular clouds. Large white clouds hover over the crater of Klyuchevskaya Sopka and remain motionless even in very strong winds.
Despite their deadly nature, various volcanoes have long attracted people. Before people attracted by fertile soils enriched with minerals and trace elements due to the activity of volcanoes, now tourists are attracted by the beauty and majesty of these natural objects.
Where are the largest volcanoes on the world map?
Most of the modern active volcanoes are located in Pacific volcanic ring- the area in which it occurs greatest number eruptions and 90% of earthquakes on our planet.
The second most powerful seismic zone is the Mediterranean fold belt, which stretches from the Indonesian islands to.
The strongest eruption in history
The most destructive eruption in terms of its consequences is considered to be the catastrophe that occurred in 1883 during the explosion Krakatoa volcano located in . During this cataclysm, more than 36 thousand people died, more than 165 cities and villages were completely destroyed, and ash was released to a height of 70 kilometers.
The force of the explosion during the eruption exceeded the force of the explosion nuclear bomb over Hiroshima 10 thousand times. Most deaths are a consequence of huge tsunami caused by the eruption. The island on which Krakatoa was located was almost completely destroyed during the disaster. The sound of the explosion spread over a distance of 5 thousand kilometers from the epicenter of the disaster.
Earth's Greatest Active Volcanic Mountains
The largest active volcanoes in the world by volume:
- Mauna Loa, Hawaii, with a volume of 80 thousand cubic kilometers;
- Kilimanjaro(Tanzania), which is considered dormant but could potentially become active, has a volume of 4,800 cubic kilometers;
- Volcano Sierra Negra, located on Galapagos Islands(Ecuador) has a volume of 580 cubic kilometers.
Which country has the largest source of lava?
In terms of size, there is no equal to the Hawaiian volcano Mauna Loa, which has a volume of 80 thousand cubic kilometers. The title of the highest is disputed by 2 volcanoes from South America:
- Llullaillaco, located on the border of Argentina and Chile with an altitude of more than 6 thousand meters;
- Cotopaxi, located in Ecuador with an altitude of 5897 meters.
Description with names
There are between 1000 and 1500 active volcanoes on our planet. Many of them are located near densely populated areas and pose a threat to human life. The most dangerous volcanoes, which are under special surveillance, are included in UN Decade Volcanoes list.
Merapi
Merapi, which means in Indonesian "mountain of fire", recognized as one of the most dangerous volcanoes in Asia. It is located in the south of the island of Java in Indonesia, and its peak rises to a height of 3 thousand meters.
Significant eruptions of Merapi occur at intervals of approximately 7 years; throughout its history, Merapi has repeatedly caused the death of many people. In 1930, the eruption killed 1,400 people, and in 2010 more than 350 thousand people had to be evacuated, killing 353 island residents.
Located near Merapi Yogyakarta city, in the agglomeration of which more than 2 million people live. Due to its activity and danger to human life, Merapi is included in the list of Volcanoes of the Decade.
Sakurajima
Sakurazdima Volcano (Japan) is located on Kyushu island, its peak rises to a height of 1110 meters. The first eruption recorded by chronicles occurred in 963, and the most powerful one dates back to 1914, but thanks to the tremors that preceded it most of local residents managed to evacuate, “only” 35 people died.
Since the mid-20th century, the volcano has been constantly active. Happen every year thousands of small explosions and ash emissions.
In 2013, there was a large ash emission reaching a height of 4000 meters.
Sakurajima is also on the list of Volcanoes of the Decade.
Aso
Volcano Aso is also located on Kyushu island in Japan. The highest point of Aso is at an altitude of 1592 meters. During the period of observation of the volcano, about 165 large and medium eruptions occurred, many of which resulted in human casualties.
The last time people died as a result of a volcanic eruption was in 1979, when 3 people died and 11 were injured. But Aso is dangerous not only for its eruptions, poisonous volcanic gas fumes They regularly poison tourists who try to conquer Aso. The last such incident occurred in 1997, when two climbers died.
The last eruption of Aso was noted in 2011, ash emission occurred to a height of up to 2 kilometers.
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Nyiragongo
Nyiragongo is located in the territory DR Congo in the Virunga mountain system (Africa). In the crater of the volcano there is the world's largest lava lake, the depth of which can reach 3 kilometers. In 1977, the crater wall ruptured, causing a large flow of lava into the surrounding area, ultimately killing 70 people.
During observations of Nyiragongo since 1882, it was recorded 34 major volcanic eruptions. A feature of the Nyiragongo eruptions is the extremely rapid flow of lava, reaching speeds of 100 kilometers per hour. During a major eruption in 2002, 400 thousand residents of the city of Goma, located near the volcano, were evacuated. Nevertheless, 147 of them died as a result of this cataclysm, and the city itself suffered significant damage.
All these factors make Nyiragongo one of the the most dangerous volcanoes on the planet, for which he was rightly included in the list of Volcanoes of the Decade.
Galeras
The Galeras volcano is located in Colombia near the city of Pasto, whose population is more than 400 thousand people. Its height exceeds 4200 meters. Due to its danger, Galeras was included in the list of Volcanoes of the Decade that pose the greatest threat in the foreseeable future.
It is believed that over the past 7,000 years, Galeras has experienced at least 6 major eruptions, the last of which was recorded in 1993.
Mauna Loa
The Mauna Loa volcano is located on Hawaiian Islands belonging to the United States of America. This giant volcano occupies more than half the area of Hawaii, the height of the peak above sea level is 4169 meters, but most of the volcano is located under water. Together with the underwater part, its height from base to top reaches 9170 meters, which exceeds the height of Everest.
Mauna Loa erupts according to what is called Hawaiian type with an outpouring of lava, but without explosions and large ash emissions. Observations of the volcano have been carried out only since 1832, but during this time 39 major eruptions of Mauna Loa have been recorded. This volcano was included in the list of Volcanoes of the Decade due to the huge lava flows accompanying the eruption and the densely populated area in its immediate vicinity.
The summit of the volcano and its slopes were included in the list UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Colima
The most active volcano in Central America is located in the state of Jalisco. Thanks to her activity, Colima received the nickname "little Vesuvius", its height exceeds 3800 meters.
Over the past 450 years, more than 40 large and medium-sized volcanic eruptions have been recorded, the last of which occurred on September 12, 2016. More than 400 thousand people live near Colima, making it America's most dangerous volcano. For this reason, the volcano was included in the list of Volcanoes of the Decade.
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Vesuvius
The most famous volcano in the world is located on the Apennine Peninsula in. The lonely peak of Vesuvius, 1281 meters high, rises above the vast fields of the province of Campania and is part of the Apennine mountain system.
Located just 15 kilometers from Naples, Vesuvius has repeatedly gone down in history with its catastrophic eruptions; about 80 major ones alone were recorded. In 79 AD, the most destructive eruption of Vesuvius, during which famous cities perished:
- Pompeii;
- Oplontis;
- Herculaneum;
- Stabiae.
It is believed that at least 16 thousand people died during this disaster.
In 1944, the last eruption of Vesuvius occurred at the moment, during this natural disaster cities were destroyed Weight And San Sebastiano, 27 people became victims. Since then, Vesuvius has not shown much activity, but the danger of a new eruption always remains. Vesuvius is one of the main attractions of the province of Campania and its visit is included in the excursion tour when traveling to Naples.
Etna
Another famous volcano in Italy is located in the east of the island of Sicily and is the highest volcano, rising to a height of 2329 meters. Etna erupts several times a year. History has recorded several major eruptions of this volcano that led to devastating consequences:
- Was destroyed in 122 AD Catania city;
- In 1169, during the large-scale eruption of Etna, they died 15 thousand people;
- In 1669, Catania suffered again, houses were destroyed 27 thousand people;
- In 1928, the ancient Maskali city.
Despite the danger of the volcano, the inhabitants of the island continue to settle on its slopes. The reason for this is fertile soil, enriched with minerals and trace elements contained in cooled lava flows and ash.
Etna is one of the main natural attractions of Sicily; tourists from all over the world come to see the volcano and climb to its top.
Popocatepetl
Volcano Popocatepetl, or El Popo, as locals affectionately call it, is located in Mexico, 70 kilometers from the capital of this country, Mexico City. The height of the volcano is almost 5500 meters. Popocatépetl has erupted more than 15 times over the past 500 years, with the most recent one occurring as recently as 2015. An extinct volcano is located near Popocatepetl. Iztaccihuatl.
A trip to these volcanoes is an integral part of the excursion program when visiting Mexico City.
Klyuchevskaya Sopka
The highest volcano in Eurasia is located on the Kamchatka Peninsula and is considered the most famous of the many volcanoes of Kamchatka. Highest point beyond Caucasus Mountains reaches an altitude of 4750 meters. It is the most active volcano in Eurasia, with an average of almost every year. The last significant eruption occurred in 2013, the height of the ash emission was 10-12 kilometers. The eruption was accompanied by mud flows and ashfall.
Cotopaxi
The active Cotopaxi volcano is located in South America on the territory of the state Ecuador part of the Andes mountain system. The height of the peak of Cotopaxi is 5897 meters. In the entire history of observations, 86 eruptions have been recorded, the largest one led to complete destruction city of Latacunga in 1786. The last activity of Cotopaxi was noticed in 1942, after which the volcano is still dormant.
Famous extinct giants
In addition to active volcanoes, there are many extinct volcanoes on our planet that do not exhibit volcanic activity.
Supreme
The tallest extinct volcano on the planet, Aconcagua, is located in Argentina and is part of the Andes mountain system. Aconcagua is not only the highest extinct volcano in the world, but also the highest peak in the Americas, Western and Southern Hemispheres. The height of Aconcagua exceeds 6950 meters.
Sleeping giants
Many extinct volcanoes are now considered simply mountains, although some of them could potentially “wake up” and begin to become active. Such volcanoes, which may become active in the future, are called "sleeping".
- Famous Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (Africa) is a dormant volcano that is not active. Scientists believe that one day Kilimanjaro may wake up, then this potential volcano will become one of the highest in the world, because the height of Kilimanjaro is 5895 meters above sea level.
- The largest extinct volcano in Russia is 5642 meters. It is located on the border of the republics of Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia. Refers to the list of the highest peaks in six parts of the world. Scientists consider the activity of the volcano not so much completed as fading.
- The largest volcano of our time cannot be visited and is very difficult to see, since it is under water. Array Tamu located at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean and is approximately 1600 kilometers east of Japanese Islands. Its dimensions are 650 by 450 kilometers; in terms of its scale, the array is one of the largest not only on Earth, but throughout solar system. The last volcanic eruption occurred 140 million years ago.
- Dormant volcanoes Big and Small Ararat are now located on the territory and belong to the category of volcanoes that do not exhibit volcanic activity. The peak of Mount Ararat, reaching 5165 meters, is the highest point in Turkey.
- One of the highest peaks of the Caucasus, Mount Kazbek is also an extinct volcano. Kazbek is located on the border with Russia, the top point of the mountain is located at an altitude of more than 5 kilometers. During research, volcanic ash from an eruption that allegedly occurred 40 thousand years ago was found in one of the Kazbek caves.
Colossal supervolcano Yellowstone was considered extinct, but scientists have found that there is little activity in it, so now Yellowstone is classified as a dormant volcano. The giant last erupted almost a million years ago.
It is believed that if Yellowstone wakes up, a potential eruption will become one of the largest disasters in the history of the Earth, every third inhabitant of the planet will die, and several US states will be completely destroyed.
Yellowstone eruption will provoke many earthquakes, giant tsunami waves and other volcanic eruptions, which will affect almost every inhabitant of the planet. The ash ejected by the volcano will cover the surface of the earth from the sun for a year and a half, and a volcanic winter will occur throughout the planet.
However, not all scientists believe that the consequences of this cataclysm will be so serious. In any case, the eruption of this volcano remains one of the main potential threats to humans.
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