Volcano. What is Vulcan? Volcanoes in culture

10 largest and most dangerous volcanoes on Earth.

A volcano is a geological formation that arose due to the movement of tectonic plates, their collision and the formation of faults. As a result of collisions of tectonic plates, faults are formed, and magma comes to the surface of the Earth. As a rule, volcanoes are a mountain, at the tip of which there is a crater, which is the place where the lava comes out.

Volcanoes are divided into:

- acting;
- sleeping;
- extinct;

Active volcanoes are those that have erupted in the short term (approximately 12,000 years)
Dormant volcanoes are called volcanoes that have not erupted in the near historical perspective, but their eruption is practically possible.
Extinct volcanoes include those that have not erupted in the near historical future, however, the top has the shape of a crater, but such volcanoes are unlikely to erupt.

List of the 10 most dangerous volcanoes in the world:

1. (Hawaii, USA)

2. Taal Volcano (Philippines)

3. Merapi Volcano (Java Island)

4. Santa Maria Volcano (Guatemala)

It is one of the most active volcanoes of the 20th century.
It is located at a distance of 130 kilometers from the city of Guatemala, and is located in the so-called Pacific. Ring of Fire. The Santa Maria crater was formed after it erupted in 1902. About 6,000 people died then. The last eruption occurred in March 2011.

5. Volcano Ulawun (Papua New Guinea)

Ulawun volcano, located in the region of New Guinea, began to erupt from the beginning of the 18th century. Since then, eruptions have been recorded 22 times.
In 1980, the largest volcanic eruption occurred. The ejected ash covered an area of ​​more than 20 square kilometers.
Now this volcano is the highest peak in the region.
The last volcanic eruption occurred in the year 2010.

6. Volcano Galeras (Colombia)

7. Volcano Sakurajima (Japan)

8. Nyiragongo (DR Congo)

Active and extinct volcanoes have always attracted people. People settled on the volcanic slopes to engage in agriculture, because the volcanic soil is very fertile.

Today, majestic geological formations attract crowds of tourists who want to admire their beauty.

Thirsty for extreme sports, even the most dangerous natural objects - active volcanoes - do not stop.

How many volcanoes are on Earth is not known for certain, despite the fact that volcanologists have been trying to establish their exact number since the advent of such a science as volcanology - too little has been studied so far at the bottom of the oceans, where many more may be hidden. The Smithsonian has cataloged 1,532 volcanoes. These data are considered the most complete to date.

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List of active volcanoes in the world

Today we will look at where there are active volcanoes in the world. Most of them are located along the coast. This zone is called the Pacific Ring of Fire. The second most volcanic zone is the Mediterranean belt.

In total, there are about 900 active volcanoes on land.

About 60 geological formations of the earth explode every year. Consider the most dangerous of the active, as well as a few impressive, but dormant.

Merapi, Indonesia

Merapi is the most impressive, having received a nickname that in Russian would sound like “Mountain of Fire”. It is located on about. Java, reaches a height of 2914 m. Large-scale emissions are carried out every 7 years, and small ones twice a year. Smoke constantly comes out of its crater. One of the most significant tragedies associated with activity broke out in 1006. Then a ferocious element destroyed the Javanese-Indian state of Mataram.

In 1673, another powerful eruption broke out, as a result of which the towns and villages located at the foot were destroyed. In 1930, volcanic eruptions killed 1,300 people.

The last release of Merapi occurred in 2010, when 350,000 people needed to be evacuated. Some of them decided to return and died in the lava flow. 353 people suffered then.

In that last catastrophe, Fire Mountain threw out a mixture of ash and gas at a speed of 100 km / h, while the temperature reached 1000 ° C.

Sakurajima, Japan

Sakurajima is located on about. Kyushu. Once the mountain stood separately, but in one of the eruptions, with the help of lava, it joined the Osumi Peninsula. It rises to a height of 1117 m. It consists of three peaks, the highest of which is the northern one.

The activity of Sakurajima increases every year, and until 1946 there were only 6 releases. It has been erupting continuously since 1955.

Note: one of the largest disasters occurred in 1914, when the elements claimed the lives of 35 people. In 2013, 1097 emissions of insignificant force were recorded, and in 2014 - 471.

Aso, Japan

Aso is another volcanic giant about. Kyushu. Its height is 1592 m. This is a caldera, in the middle of which there are 17 cones. The most active of them is Nakadake.

Aso last erupted lava in 2011. Since then, there have been about 2500 aftershocks. In 2016, the ejection process was accompanied by an earthquake.

It is worth noting: despite the danger associated with the extreme activity of Aso, about 50 thousand people live in the caldera, and the crater itself has become a popular object active tourism. In winter, skiing is possible on the slopes of Aso.

Nyiragongo, Republic of the Congo

Nyiragongo belongs to the Virunga mountain system, is the most active in Africa. The height is 3470 m. In its crater there is a huge bubbling lava lake, the largest in the world. During an eruption, lava flows out almost completely, destroying everything around in a matter of hours. After that, it fills the crater again. Due to the military situation in the Republic of the Congo, the crater has not yet been sufficiently explored.

Since the end of the 19th century alone, 34 eruptions of the formidable Nyiragongo have been noted. Its lava is very liquid because it does not contain enough silicates. For this reason, it spreads rapidly, reaching a speed of 100 km / h. This feature makes Nyiragongo one of the most dangerous on the planet. In 1977, a huge mass of lava hit the nearby town. The cause was the rupture of the crater wall. The disaster claimed the lives of several hundred people.

In 2002, another large-scale eruption occurred, then 400 thousand people were evacuated, 147 of whom died. Despite the fact that this Nyiragongo is considered the most dangerous in the world, about half a million people live in nearby settlements.

Galeras, Colombia

It rises above the Colombian town of Pasto, with about 500 thousand inhabitants. Galeras reaches a height of 4276 m. In recent years, Galeras has been constantly active, throwing out volcanic ash.

One of the largest eruptions was recorded in 1993. The element led to the death of 6 volcanologists and 3 tourists in the crater. The disaster came unexpectedly, after a long lull.

One of the recent eruptions occurred in August 2010. Colombian authorities periodically evacuate local residents as Galeras is active.

Colima, Mexico

Spread Colima on the Pacific coast. Consists of 2 peaks, one of which is extinct. In 2016, Colima became active, releasing a column of ash.

The last time he reminded of himself was on January 19, 2017. At the time of the disaster, a cloud of ash and smoke rose 2 km.

Vesuvius, Italy

Vesuvius has 3 cones. Strong eruptions alternate with periods of low-power activity. throws out great amount ash and gases. In 79, Vesuvius shook all of Italy, destroying the cities of Pompeii and Stabia. They were covered with a thick layer of ash, reaching up to 8 m. The city of Herculaneum was flooded with mud flows, as mud rains accompanied the eruption.

In 1631, an eruption was noted that claimed the lives of 4,000 people. It turned out to be weaker than in 79, but the slopes of Vesuvius have since been inhabited by more people, which led to such victims. The volcano after this event became lower by 168 m. The eruption of 1805 destroyed almost the entire Naples and claimed the lives of 26 thousand people.

The last time Vesuvius erupted lava flows in 1944, leveling the cities of San Sebastiano and Massa. The number of victims was 27 people. After that, the volcano subsided. A volcano observatory was built here to track its activities.

Etna, Italy

Etna is the highest volcano in Europe. It is located in the northern hemisphere in the east. Its height changes after each eruption, now it is 3429 m above sea level.

Etna has, according to various estimates, 200-400 side craters. Every 3 months, one of them erupts. Quite often, this leads to the destruction of villages, spread out nearby.

Despite the dangers, the Sicilians densely populate the slopes of Etna. It even created a national park.

Popocatepetl, Mexico

The second highest peak in Mexico, its name means "smoking hill". It is located 70 km from Mexico City. The height of the mountain is 5500 meters.

Over 500 years, Popocatepetl has erupted lava over 15 times, the last time it happened in 2015.

Klyuchevskaya Sopka, Russia

This is the highest peak. Its height ranges from 4750-4850 m above sea level. The slopes are covered with lateral craters, of which there are more than 80.

Klyuchevskaya Sopka reminds of itself every 3 years, each of its activity lasts several months and is sometimes accompanied by ashfalls. The most active year was 2016, when the volcano exploded 55 times.

The most destructive was the catastrophe of 1938, when Klyuchevskaya Sopka was active for 13 months.

Mauna Loa, Hawaii, USA

Mauna Loa can be found in the central part of the island of Hawaii. It rises to 4169 m above sea level. Mauna Loa is of the Hawaiian type.

Its characteristic feature is the outpouring of lava, passing without explosions and ash emissions. Lava erupts through the central vent, cracks and fractures.

Cotopaxi, Ecuador

Cotopaxi belongs to the Andes mountain system. This is the second highest peak, rising to 5911 m.

The first eruption was recorded in 1534. The eruption had the most devastating consequences in 1768. Then the ejection of lava and sulfur was accompanied by an earthquake. The disaster destroyed the city of Latacunga with its surroundings. The eruption was so strong that traces of it were found in the Amazon basin.

Iceland

There are about three dozen volcanoes on the island. Among them there are long-extinct ones, but there are also active ones.

This island is the only one in the world where so many geological formations are located. Icelandic territory is a real volcanic plateau.

Extinct and dormant volcanoes

Volcanoes that have lost their activity are extinct and dormant. It is safe to visit them, so these sites are more popular among travelers. On the map, such inactive geological formations are indicated by special icons: black asterisks, in contrast to active ones, marked with red asterisks. Even for the locations of these fiery mountains, there are letter designations "vlk" or "vk". For mud volcanoes, which send a message about their activity in the form of flows not of magma, but of mud - "mud". Examples of dormant and extinct volcanoes - see below.

What is the difference between an extinct and dormant volcano? Extinct ones do not show active activity for at least 1 million years. Presumably, their magma has already cooled down and will not be able to explode. True, volcanologists do not exclude that a new volcano may form in their place.

Aconcagua, Argentina

Aconcagua is the highest peak in the Andes. It rises to 6960.8 m. The mountain was formed at the junction of the Nazca and South American lithospheric plates. Today the slopes of the mountain are covered with glaciers.

Aconcagua is of interest to climbers as the highest peak in South America, as well as the highest extinct volcano.

Kilimanjaro, Africa

If someone is asked to name the highest mountain in Africa, he will name the most famous mountain on the African continent. It consists of 3 peaks, the highest of them is Kibo (5,891.8 m).

Kilimanjaro is considered dormant, now only gases and sulfur come out of its crater. It is expected to be active when the mountain collapses, leading to a massive eruption. Scientists consider the peak of Kibo to be the most formidable.

Yellowstone, USA

Yellowstone is located on the territory of the national park of the same name. The top belongs to the supervolcanoes, of which there are 20 on Earth. Yellowstone is extremely dangerous because it erupts with incredible force, and can affect the planet's climate.

Yellowstone has erupted three times. The last eruption took place 640 thousand years ago, at the same time a caldera cavity was formed.

At this volcano, lava accumulates in a special reservoir, where it melts the surrounding rocks, becoming thicker. This reservoir is very close to the surface, which worries volcanologists.

The eruption is stopped by water flows that cool the magma bubble and break out in the form of geysers. Since there is still a lot of energy left inside the bubble, it is expected to burst out in the near future.

The US authorities are taking all measures to prevent the eruption of Yellowstone, because it can kill 87 thousand people. One of the projects is the installation of a geothermal station, but this will require drilling wells that can provoke a catastrophe not only in the country, but throughout the planet.

Elbrus, Russia

The Caucasian peak is attractive for climbers today. Its height is 5621 m. This is a dormant formation in which volcanic processes occur. The last eruption took place presumably 1.7 thousand years ago, 500 years ago it released a column of ash.

The activity of Elbrus is evidenced by geothermal springs located nearby. Scientists disagree on when to expect the next eruption, but it is known for sure that it will lead to the convergence of the mudflow.

Big and Small Ararat, Turkey

Big Ararat (5165 m) is located on the Armenian Highlands, 11 km from it is Small Ararat (3927 m).

The eruptions of Greater Ararat have always been accompanied by destruction. The last tragedy broke out in 1840 and was accompanied by a strong earthquake. Then 10,000 people died.

Kazbek, Georgia

Kazbek is located in Georgia. The locals call it Mkinvartsveri, which translates as "ice mountain". The height of the giant is 5033.8 m.

Kazbek is not active today, but it is classified as potentially dangerous. It last erupted in 650 BC.

The mountain has very steep slopes, mudflow landslides are possible.

Conclusion

Volcanoes are among the most attractive tourist sites. Today, they are no longer so dangerous, since volcanologists can predict their activity. Research is being conducted on the use of the energy of geological formations for the benefit of mankind.

In an effort to go to the top of a volcano, especially an active one, it is necessary to collect information about its condition, listen to the forecasts of seismologists, since tragic incidents among tourists often occur.

We bring to your attention an interesting video about the active volcanoes of the world:

Ancient people naively mistook 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 matter here is not at all about the gods. Under the Earth's mantle is an ocean of molten magma, which in some places presses harder than usual on the earth's crust and breaks 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 also 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 1960s, scientists discovered that a vast area in Yellowstone National Park is a giant caldera of an ancient supervolcano. More than 3 million daredevils come every year 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 determined that the last time this supervolcano exploded was about 640,000 years ago. If this were to happen again today, then the 87,000 people living near Yellowstone would surely 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 at a depth of 8 km under the caldera, a giant bubble of magma slowly emerges, 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.

Our planet has a variety of dangerous places, which have recently begun to attract a special category of extreme tourists looking for a...

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 picturesquely depicts a strong eruption in 79 that destroyed all local settlements, the most famous of which were the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The ashes of the pyroclastic flow that covered Pompeii preserved everything that had not had time to burn down, 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 itself. Therefore, any powerful eruption of Vesuvius can again be accompanied by large human casualties.

3. Popocatepetl, Mexico

With a height of 5426 meters, the Popocatepetl volcano last erupted in 2000. It is located only about 50 kilometers from Mexico City. During the last eruption, the authorities saved 41,000 local residents from certain death by evacuating them in time. But there are now 9 million Mexicans within the range of the volcano's explosion, so its potential explosion could turn into a big disaster. Volcanic activity and densely populated surroundings make Popocatepetl very dangerous. The tops of the volcano are covered with a glacier. According to historical data, since 1519 there have been more than 20 eruptions of this volcano.

4. Sakurajima, Japan

The volcano is not too high (1117 meters), and the last time it erupted was in 2015. Due to its high activity, it is called the "Eastern Vesuvius". At one time, the volcano grew out of the water near the coast of Japan, but after the 1914 eruption, lava flows formed a "bridge" connecting the volcano to the "mainland". Every year, thousands of Sakurajima micro-eruptions occur, during which ash is ejected from its vent and spreads 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.

Since primitive times, man has been using various plants: at first he only ate them, then he learned to make fabrics, paper, houses, ships from them, and ...

5. Galeras, Colombia

The last time this high (4276 m) volcano erupted in 2010. It is located on the border with Ecuador. Volcanologists have determined that this volcano has been active for at least a million years. Its first documented eruption took place 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, where 450 thousand Colombians live, risking their lives.

6. Merapi, Indonesia

With a height of 2930 m, the volcano Merapi, which means "mountain of fire", last put on a show in 2010. In Indonesia, it is the most active of the active volcanoes, erupting with 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 latest 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 that periodically fills with lava, and then the lava lake disappears. But sometimes something goes wrong, for example, in 1977, when, under the pressure of lava, the wall of the crater collapsed, and liquid molten stone rushed down to the villages at the speed of a locomotive. As a result, thousands of people died and were maimed by lava. In 2002, under similar circumstances, another 147 people died, and 120,000 people were left homeless.

8. Ulavun, Papua New Guinea

The last time the 2334-meter active volcano erupted in 2013. The locals respectfully call him "father". This symmetrical peak grew on the island of New Britain. Since the beginning of the 18th century, 22 powerful eruptions of the Ulavun volcano have been noted. Residents living near it are now witnessing its periodic weak eruptions. Although now the mountain looks flawless in terms of decorating the landscape, but after a strong eruption, it is unlikely to retain its exterior, and significant areas of surrounding land will be destroyed.

Natural hazards are extreme climatic or meteorological events that occur naturally in a particular area.

9. Tal, Philippines

This volcano is quite small - only 311 meters, and the last time its eruption was observed in 1965. This volcano grew in the middle of Tal Lake 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 at all a hypothetical threat. This "baby" since 1572, managed to erupt 33 times. Although many tourists come to this island every year, they are immediately warned to stay away from the volcano. The strongest eruption of the last century occurred 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, it has been active for at least 700 thousand years. But, fortunately, most of its eruptions are weak, only occasionally lava flows acquire high speed and become dangerous for settlements located on the slopes. Basically, the volcano spews viscous lava that slowly creeps over the surface, so the inhabitants have time to evacuate. But volcanologists believe that the probability 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.

In the past, people thought that volcanic eruptions were the punishment of the gods. Today we understand that this is not so. Volcanic eruptions occur due to excessive accumulation of very hot magma, which makes its way to the surface of the earth through holes in the earth's crust, that is, through volcano craters. When this magma reaches the surface, the consequences are catastrophic.
We have collected for your attention the ten most dangerous volcanoes in the world that can erupt at any time and create havoc around in a matter of hours.

Ten most dangerous volcanoes in the world

10. Taal Volcano, Philippines

This cinder cone volcano is located on the island of Luzon, in Lake Taal. It is located just 31 kilometers from the city of Manila, which has a population of about 1.6 million people. Scientists believe that this volcano erupted about 33 times. And it is reliably known that in 157 magma burned to the ground the population that lived near the active volcano. It is also worth considering that the volcano requires study due to the high danger to humans and the environment.

9. Volcano Ulawun, Papua New Guinea

The locals also call this volcano "Father". Ulavun is a symmetrical volcano located on the island of New Britain. Its height reaches about 2334 meters, which is why it is among not only the most dangerous volcanoes in the world, but also the highest.

Ulavun is an active volcano. Since the 1700s, 22 eruptions have been recorded. Locals regularly watch as tiny explosions occur in the crater of the volcano with a splash of lava and ash.

8. Volcano Nyiragongo, Democratic Republic of the Congo

It is considered the most active volcanoes on the African continent. The Nyiragongo Volcano is known for its lava lakes, which mostly appear in the crater. This volcano is an active threat to people living in its vicinity.

One of the last strong eruptions in 1977 led to the death of several hundred people. There could have been much more victims if people had not evacuated in time. The lava erupted by the volcano destroyed almost all residential buildings located at the foot of Nyiragongo.

7. Mount Merapi, Indonesia

The locals call this volcano "Mountain of Fire". It is also considered one of the most active and dangerous volcanoes in the world. Scientists claim that the activity of this volcano lasted for more than 10,000 years in a row.

About 1,300 people died during the last major eruption of Mount Merapi, which occurred in 1930. Since then, the government of the city of Yogyakarta, which is located on the slope of the volcano, has developed a special plan for the evacuation of citizens.

6. Galeras Volcano, Colombia

This volcano is located in the young part of Colombia. Galeras has been active for about 1 million years. On its slope is a town of 450,000 inhabitants called Pasto.

In modern times, the volcano became active in 1978, but then it showed little activity. Then another ten years later another eruption happened. But, the worst thing is that since 2000, Galeras began to erupt regularly, albeit with little force.

5. Sakurajima volcano, Japan

It is a composite volcano located in Japan. Previously, Sakurajima was located on a separate island. It has a very high level of activity.

Every year, scientists record small eruptions from the crater of this volcano, during which ash is thrown into the atmosphere and scattered throughout the surroundings. If a more serious eruption occurs, then a large number of residents of the nearby city of Kagoshima will be in mortal danger.

4. Popocatepetl Volcano, Mexico

The peak of this volcano is covered by a glacier. Popocatepetl is located just 35 miles from Mexico City. Also within the radius of destruction from a possible eruption is a lot of people living in this district. Since 1519, Popocatepetl has erupted more than 20 times.

The last time the eruption occurred in 2000. Then it was possible to evacuate people in time and save thousands of lives that could have been carried away by one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world.

3. Yellowstone Caldera, USA

Tourists from all over the world are drawn to the bubbling springs in Yellowstone National Park. The beauty of this park is breathtaking and invigorating for visitors. However, under this beauty lies dangerous volcano, which will burn to destroy the entire western part of the United States.

The Yellowstone Caldera is indeed huge. People have never witnessed its eruption, but scientists managed to find out that the last eruption of this volcano occurred hundreds of thousands of years ago. Experts suggest that the volume of lava "splattered" on the surface that period of time was 25 thousand times greater than the eruption of St. Helens in 1980.

2. Mount Vesuvius, Italy

Probably the most famous volcano in the world It is located in the Campania region, Italy. The last eruption of Vesuvius occurred in 1944, but fortunately there were no major consequences. About three million people live in close proximity to the slope of the volcano. The houses of these people are located 5 kilometers from Vesuvius. Therefore, it is also considered the most densely populated volcanic region in the entire world.

Vesuvius is the only volcano on the European continent that has been active in the last century. Its most famous eruption occurred in AD 79, which buried the nearby cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum under lava.

1. Mauna Loa Volcano, Hawaii

Mauna - Lao - most dangerous volcano in the world and the biggest. It last erupted in 1984. Lava caused serious damage to the surrounding area. Nevertheless, there is very good news - the erupting lava of Mauna Lao is spreading very slowly around the area, which gives additional time for evacuation.

Mauna Laon also poses another devastating environmental threat in the form of landslides. Although this is a very rare process, it is really worth being afraid of.

Similar content

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

Today, there are few volcanoes that are still active. Some of them frighten, 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) with a height of 6739 m. 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 a long search";
• "soft mass that becomes hard."

On the side of the Chilean state at the foot of the volcano is national park with the same name - Lullaillaco, 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 get to the crater:

• northern - duration 4.6 km, the road is suitable for travel by car;
• southern - duration 5 km.

If you are going on foot, bring special shoes and an ice ax as there are snowy areas along the way.

Interesting fact! During the first ascent in 1952, an ancient Inca repository was discovered on the mountain, and in 1999, the 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 giant with a height of 6145 meters is located in the Andes, in the northern part of Chile near Bolivia on the Western Cordillera. The peak of the volcano rises above the longest body of water in Chile - Loa.

San Pedro is on the list of the highest active volcanoes. For the first time, it was possible to climb to the crater in 1903. Today it is a unique landmark of Chile, which attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world. In the 20th 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 it is only possible to climb to the crater in 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 recognized as 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.
• The inhabitants of Chile tell many legends associated with the San Pedro volcano, since each eruption in the past was considered a heavenly sign and had mystical significance.
• For the descendants of migrants from Spain and local indigenous people, the volcano is a source of constant and considerable income.

El Misty

Among all the active volcanoes in the world on the map, this one is rightfully considered the most beautiful. Its summit is sometimes covered with snow. The mountain is located near the city of Arequipa, its height is 5822 meters. The volcano is notable for the fact that on 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 Tacune, they stretch for 20 km.

The first active action of the volcano was recorded during the migration of Europeans to Latin America. The strongest, devastating catastrophe occurred in 1438. In the 20th century, the volcano showed activity of varying degrees several times:

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

Scientists in Peru concluded a few years ago that the seismic activity of the volcano is gradually increasing. This leads to earthquakes, which are not uncommon in this 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. On the territory of the state, this is the second highest mountain peak.

The Aztecs believed that worshiping the volcano would bring rain, so offerings were regularly brought here.

Popocatepetl is dangerous because many cities are built around it:

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

According to scientists, during its history, the volcano erupted more than three dozen times. The last eruption was recorded in May 2013. During the disaster, the airport of the city of Puebla was closed, and the streets were covered with 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 majesty of the mountain.

Volcano Sangay

Sangai is rightfully included in the top ten active volcanoes, which are the most powerful in the world. The mountain is in South America, its height is 5230 meters. In translation, the name of the volcano means “awe-inspiring” and this fully reflects its behavior - eruptions are a frequent occurrence here, and sometimes stones weighing 1 ton fall from the sky. On 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 in comfort, by car, people overcome the finish line on mules. The journey takes several days. In general, the journey is assessed as quite difficult, so few dare to climb to the crater. Tourists who have conquered the mountain feel a strong smell of sulfur and are surrounded by smoke. As a reward, an amazing landscape opens up from the top.

The volcano is surrounded by the Sangay National Park, whose area is more than 500 hectares. In 1992, UNESCO listed the park as endangered. However, in 2005 the object was delisted.

Interesting fact! Three of the highest volcanoes in Ecuador are located in the park area - Sangay, Tungurahua and El Altar.

Klyuchevskaya Sopka

The volcano is the highest on the territory of the Eurasian continent - 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 height of the giant 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 disaster 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 a serious rockfall. And in 1974, the active actions of Klyuchevskaya Sopka led to the explosion of the glacier.

During the 1984-1987 eruption, a new peak formed, and ash plumes 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, another eruption took place for several weeks, accompanied by earthquakes, lava flows and ash emissions to a height of up to 11 km.

mauna loa

The eruption of this huge volcano can be observed from anywhere in Hawaii. Mauna Loa is located in an archipelago formed as a result of volcanic activity. Its height is 4169 meters. The peculiarity is that 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 take tourists to the Mauna Kea volcano. It is indeed a little higher than Mauna Loa, but unlike the latter, it is already extinct. Therefore, be sure to specify which volcano you want to see.

The age of Mauna Loa is 700 thousand years, of which 300 thousand it was under water. The activity of the volcano was recorded only in the first half of the 19th century. During this time, he reminded 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 the city. And the eruption in 1935 was reminiscent of the plot of the legendary Soviet film The Crew. The last activity was recorded in 1984, for 3 weeks lava poured out of the crater. In 2013, several earthquakes occurred, which indicate that the volcano may soon again show what it is capable of.

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

Cameroon

Located in the republic of the same name, on the coast 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.

On the territory of 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 mention of the catastrophe dates back to the 5th century BC. In 1922, volcanic lava reached the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. The last eruption occurred in 2000.

Good to know! The best time to climb is December or January. In February, an annual competition is held here - the Race of Hope. 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 Keinci Seblat Park, which has the status of a national park.

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

In the summer of 2013, the volcano threw out a column of ash 800 meters high. Residents of nearby settlements hastily packed up and evacuated. Ashes painted the sky gray, and the air smelled of sulfur. It took only 30 minutes, 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, after the event, heavy rain fell, and the consequences of the eruption were washed away.

It is interesting! Climbing 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. In history, there were cases when travelers disappeared, setting off on a journey on their own. It is best to start climbing 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 to the south of other objects that are the subject of seismological research. The height of the mountain is 3 km 794 m, and the size of the crater is a little more than 800 m.

The volcano has been active since the end of the last century, when a station was opened in the state of New Mexico, its employees monitor its activities. The unique phenomenon of Erebus is the 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 emitted gases cause serious damage to the ozone layer. Scientists note that this is where the thinnest layer of ozone is found.

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

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

Erebus is an amazing natural creation - formidable, magical and charming. The lake in the crater attracts with 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. In Europe, this is the largest volcano, 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 most terrible eruption occurred in 44 BC, it was so strong that the ash completely covered the sky over the capital of Italy, destroyed the crop on the Mediterranean coast. Today, Etna is no less dangerous than in the prehistoric period. The last eruption occurred in the spring of 2008 and lasted almost 420 days.

The volcano is attractive for its diverse vegetation, here you can find palm trees, cacti, pines, agaves, spruces, biscuses, fruit trees and vineyards. Some plants are characteristic only for Etna - stone tree, 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 strongly spreading. Eruptions have been occurring continuously since 1983.

The volcano is located on the territory national park 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 (the goddess of volcanoes). Her tears are individual drops of lava, and her hair is streams of lava.

An amazing sight is the Puuoo lava lake, which is located in the crater. Molten rocks seethe restlessly, creating amazing stains on the surface. Being close to this natural phenomenon is dangerous, as fiery lava breaks out to a height of 500 meters.

In addition to the lake, you can admire a cave of natural origin. Its length is more than 60 km. The ceiling of the cave is decorated with stalactites. Tourists note that walking through the cave is reminiscent of flying 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 the roadway, and lava covered an area of ​​120 km.

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

Which continent has no active volcanoes?

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

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