Volcanoes. The most famous volcanoes Inactive volcanoes

Volcanoes are shrouded in mystery; in ancient times they were associated with mythology, with gods and goddesses who controlled their fiery powers. For thousands of years, volcanoes have created new lands, destroyed cities and changed the face of our planet.

Thousands of travelers and holidaymakers were forced to cancel their plans in 2010 after the eruption Icelandic volcano. Huge volcanic ash clouds covered air space large parts of continental Europe, which made serious adjustments to flight schedules.

But there are some enthusiasts for whom volcanoes and travel are always a combination. They love adventure and will do anything to get to the next active volcano, photograph fiery lava flows and remain surrounded by danger for a while.

Although there are thousands of volcanoes on Earth, only about 500 of them are active in this moment. And at the moment, approximately 500 million people live in close proximity to active volcanoes.

1. Kilauea Volcano ( Kilauea Volcano), Hawaii

The volcano is located in the southeastern part Big Island. The first recorded eruption was in 1790. The current eruption began in 1983 and is still ongoing. The volcano is located on the territory. Here you can see dramatic scenery of burning lava flows flowing straight into the sea.

Volcano Etna is located on an island in. It is the largest active volcano in Europe and was formed around 1500 BC. e. and has since erupted about 200 times. Small eruptions occur regularly. The volcano has killed thousands of people throughout its history, but that doesn't stop the Italians. The volcanic soil is excellent for growing olives and grapes, so they are once again settling on the slopes of Etna.

The shield volcano Piton de la Fournaise is located in Indian Ocean on the eastern side of Reunion Island, it is the main attraction of the island. The volcano has been active for more than 530 thousand years. More than 150 eruptions have occurred since the 17th century, with the most recent recorded in December 2010.

The volcanic island of Stromboli is part of the Aeolian Islands located off the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The ancient Greeks considered these places to be the home of the god of the winds, Eola. The island was formed as a result volcanic activity on the seabed millions of years ago. The Stromboli volcano has been erupting almost continuously for the past few thousand years.

The Yasru volcano is located on the island of Tanna, located in the southern part of the New Hebrides archipelago in Pacific Ocean. Part of the Pacific Volcanic Ring of Fire. More than 800 eruptions continuously recent years several times an hour. Volcano Yasru is popular tourist destination, at night it looks like a fantastic fiery fireworks display.

The volcano is located on the former island of the same name in Kagoshima Prefecture. The top of the mountain is divided into three peaks, the southern peak of Minamidake is active. The most powerful eruption occurred in 1914, when the island of Sakurajima connected with the mainland and became a peninsula. Since 1955, the volcano has erupted almost continuously.

7. Volcano Santa Maria ( Santa Maria Volcano), Guatemala

A large active stratovolcano located on the Pacific coast, it rises to an impressive height of 3,772 meters. Activity began approximately 30 thousand years ago. For many millennia until the 20th century, eruptions were small and frequent. In 1902, a powerful volcanic explosion occurred, destroying part of the mountain and causing serious damage to southwestern Guatemala.

The crater of the Chaiten volcano is a caldera with a diameter of 3 km, inside which there are several volcanic lakes. The volcano is located at an altitude of 1122 meters, 10 km, northeast of the city of Chaiten, near the Gulf of Corcovado in the south. A strong eruption began in the spring of 2008 and continues to this day with varying intensity. Before this, the volcano had not been active for almost 10,000 years.

Mayon is an active stratovolcano in the Albay province. It is the most active volcano in the Philippine Islands and has erupted more than 50 times in the last 400 years. The first major eruption was recorded in 1616. Mayon has been erupting weakly since January 2011, which could be a sign of a major eruption in the near future. The volcano is known for its almost perfect cone shape.

This is an active volcano located 48 km from east coast North Island in the Bay of Plenty (Bay of Plenty). The underwater mountain extends from the seabed 1600 meters, and the round peak of the volcano rises above sea level to a height of 321 meters. Thanks to the opportunity to visit the base of the crater without the hassle of climbing, White Island is very popular with tourists and explorers.

11. Soufriere Hills Volcano ( Soufriere Hills), Montserrat Island

Active stratovolcano, part of the Malye Antilles. He was in a dormant state for a long time. An eruption has been ongoing since 1995, which has already destroyed the city of Plymouth and caused mass evacuations. More than half the population left the island.

12. Popocatepetl Volcano ( Popocatepetl), Mexico

The Popocatepetl volcano is the second highest peak in the world. Popocatépetl is associated with the Iztaccihuatl volcano mountain pass Paso de Cortes ( Paso de Cortes). Just 40 km. from the volcano is the city of Puebla, the historical center of which is listed in. The last major eruption was in 1947. Since 1994, the volcano has periodically erupted streams of gas and ash.

Ancient people naively mistook volcanic eruptions for the wrath of the gods, however, many people still think so today. 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 there is an ocean of molten magma, which in some places presses harder than usual on the earth's crust and breaks through to the surface, pouring out in the form of lava flows from volcanic vents. Although lava flows burn everything in their path, they are not the worst thing in 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 world, then 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 a vast area in Yellowstone National Park was a giant caldera of an ancient supervolcano. More than 3 million daredevils come every year to see the caldera’s increasing activity every year. Of course, it is very interesting to watch the work of geysers and hot springs, but they are potentially harbingers of catastrophic events.
Scientists have determined that the last time this supervolcano exploded was approximately 640 thousand years ago. If this were to happen again today, 87,000 people living near Yellowstone would likely 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 become a full-scale global catastrophe, comparable to the fall of a large meteorite. Scientists suggest that at a depth of 8 kilometers under the caldera, a giant bubble of magma slowly rises, which heats the groundwater to a boil - hence the numerous hot springs and geysers. Unfortunately, science is still unable to make accurate predictions regarding eruptions, so we can only hope that it won't 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 picturesquely depicts the strong eruption of 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 covered Pompeii preserved everything that did not have time to burn, and after large-scale excavations a very interesting museum open air.
Vesuvius erupts about once every 20 years, although its last eruption was 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 may again be accompanied by large casualties.

3. Popocatepetl, Mexico

With a height of 5426 meters, the Popocatepetl volcano last erupted in 2000. It is only about 50 kilometers from Mexico City. During the last eruption, authorities saved 41 thousand from certain death. local residents, evacuating them in time. But with 9 million Mexicans now living within the blast radius of the volcano, a potential explosion could spell disaster. The activity of the volcano and the densely populated surroundings make Popocatépetl very dangerous. The peaks of the volcano are covered with glacier. According to historical data, after 1519 there were over 20 eruptions of this volcano.

4. Sakurajima, Japan

The volcano is not very high (1117 meters), and last erupted in 2015. Due to its high activity, it is called the “eastern Vesuvius”. At one time, the volcano rose from under 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 micro-eruptions of Sakurajima occur, during which ash is ejected from its vent 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 tall (4276 m) volcano erupted was 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. Galeras remained inactive for a decade after 1978, 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

The 2,930-metre tall 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. Last eruption killed 353 Indonesians and left 320 thousand homeless. The city authorities then finally developed an evacuation plan.

7. Nyiragongo, Democratic Republic of Congo

The last time this 3,470 m high volcano erupted was in 2011. It has a very large crater, which periodically fills with lava, and then lava lake disappears. But sometimes things go wrong, for example, in 1977, when under the pressure of lava the crater wall collapsed, and liquid molten stone rushed down to the villages at the speed of a locomotive. As a result, thousands of people were killed and injured by the lava. In 2002, under similar circumstances, another 147 people died, and 120 thousand people were left homeless.

8. Ulawun, Papua New Guinea

The 2,334-meter active volcano last erupted in 2013. Local residents 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 recorded. Residents living next to it still witness its periodic weak eruptions. Although now the mountain looks impeccable from the point of view of decorating the landscape, after a strong eruption it is unlikely to preserve its exterior, and significant areas of the surrounding lands will be destroyed.

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9. Tal, Philippines

This volcano is very small in height - only 311 meters, and its last eruption was observed in 1965. This volcano grew 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 at all a hypothetical threat. 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 occurred here in 1911. Then the volcano was able to kill more than 1,330 people, and all living creatures within a radius of 10 kilometers died.

10. Mauna Loa, Hawaii

This tall (4,169 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 those located on the slopes settlements. Basically, the volcano spews 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 due to destructive landslides, which, although rare, are extremely dangerous.

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Undoubtedly, active volcanoes in the world are one of the most fascinating and beautiful and at the same time terrifying natural phenomena. These geological formations played a key role in the formation of the Earth. Thousands of years ago there were great amount throughout the entire 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 figure out 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.

So complicated name can be interpreted in different ways:

“water that cannot be found despite long searches”;
"a soft mass that becomes hard."

On the side of the Chilean state at the foot of the volcano there is National Park with the same name - Llullaillaco, so the surroundings of the mountain are very picturesque. While climbing to the top, tourists encounter 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 traveling by car;
southern – duration 5 km.

If you plan to walk, 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 Incan 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 most powerful eruptions were recorded three times - in 1854 and 1866. The last eruption of an active volcano occurred in 1877.

San Pedro

The 6,145-meter tall giant is located in the Andes, in northern 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. It was possible to climb to the crater for the first time in 1903. Today it is a unique attraction of Chile, which attracts thousands of tourists from different parts of the world. In the 20th century, the volcano reminded itself of itself 7 times, the last time in 1960. For more than half a century, San Pedro has resembled a bubbling cauldron that could explode at any moment. At the foot there are signs that warn that climbing to the crater is only possible 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.
Residents 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 residents, 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 peak is sometimes snow-covered. The mountain is located near the city of Arequipa, its height is 5822 meters. The volcano is notable for the fact that at its summit there are two craters with diameters of almost 1 km and 550 m.

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

The first active action of the volcano was recorded during the time of European migration to Latin America. The most severe, destructive disaster occurred in 1438. In the 20th century, the volcano showed varying degrees of activity several times:

In 1948 for six months;
in 1959;
steam emissions were observed in 1985.

Scientists in Peru concluded several 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 large settlement in Peru, this makes it quite dangerous active volcano.

Popocatepetl

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

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

Popocatépetl is dangerous because many cities are built around it:

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

According to scientists, the volcano has erupted more than three dozen times over its history. 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 come to the volcano every year from different countries world to admire the scenery, listen to the legend and enjoy the grandeur of the mountain.

Volcano Sangay

Sangay rightfully belongs to the top ten active volcanoes, which are the most powerful in the world. The mountain is located in South America, its height is 5230 meters. Translated, the name of the volcano means “fear-inspiring” 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 particularly 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 comfortably by car, and people cover the final stretch of the journey on mules. The journey takes several days. In general, the journey is assessed as quite difficult, so few people decide to climb to the crater. Tourists who conquer the mountain smell a strong sulfur smell 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 added the park to its list of endangered sites. However, in 2005 the object was removed from the list.

Interesting fact! IN park area The three highest volcanoes of Ecuador are located - Sangay, Tungurahua and El Altar.

Klyuchevskaya Sopka

The volcano is the highest on 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 makes itself known regularly, approximately once every 3-5 years. The duration of each activity reaches several months. The first happened in 1737. Throughout 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 5 km long crack 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 was formed, and ash emissions rose 15 km. In 2002, the volcano became 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 occurred over 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 between 3-5 km. Residents of the island call the mountain Long.

On a note! Many tour guides on the island take 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 specify which volcano you want to see.

Mauna Loa is 700 thousand years old, of which 300 thousand it was under water. The active actions of the volcano began to be recorded only in the first half XIX 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 a city. And the eruption in 1935 was reminiscent of the plot of the legendary Soviet film “Crew”. The last activity was recorded in 1984; lava poured out of the crater for 3 weeks. There were several earthquakes in 2013, which indicate that the volcano may soon show what it can do again.

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 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 tropical forests, there is no vegetation at the top, there is a small amount of snow.

In the territory West Africa this is the most active volcano of all active on the mainland. Over the past century, the giant has manifested itself 8 times. Each eruption resembles an explosion. The first mention of the disaster dates back to the 5th century BC. In 1922, volcanic lava reached the coast Atlantic Ocean. The last eruption occurred in 2000.

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

Kerinci

Tallest volcano on the territory of Indonesia (its height reaches 3 km 800 meters) and the most high point Sumatra. Located in the central part of the island, south of the city of Padang. Not far from the volcano there is 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 strong 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 emitted a column of ash 800 meters high. Residents of nearby settlements hastily packed their things and evacuated. The ash colored the sky gray and the smell of sulfur was in the air. Only 30 minutes passed, and several villages were covered in a thick layer of ash. Concerns were raised about tea plantations, which are located near the volcano and were also damaged by the disaster. Fortunately, heavy rain fell after the event, and the consequences of the eruption were washed away.

This is interesting! The climb 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 while setting out on their own. The best place to start your climb is 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 object of research by seismologists. 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. A unique phenomenon 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 released 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; the lava is thick, hardens quickly and does not have time to spread over large areas.

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

Erebus is an amazing natural creation - menacing, magical and enchanting. 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 classified as the highest active volcano in the world, but it can confidently be considered one of the most active. After each eruption, the height increases slightly. This is the largest volcano in Europe; its top is always decorated with a snow cap. The volcano has 4 central cones and about 400 side cones.

The first activity dates back to 1226 BC. The most terrible eruption occurred in 44 BC, it was so strong that ash completely covered the sky over the capital of Italy and destroyed crops on the Mediterranean coast. Today Etna is no less dangerous than in prehistoric times. 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, pine trees, agaves, spruce trees, biscus trees, fruit trees and vineyards. Some plants are characteristic only of 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 highly spreading. Eruptions have occurred continuously since 1983.

The volcano is located on the territory of the Volcanoes National Park, 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 individual drops of lava, and her hair is rivulets of lava.

An amazing sight is the Puuoo lava lake, which is located in the crater. Molten rocks They bubble restlessly, creating amazing stains on the surface. Being near this natural phenomenon is dangerous, as 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 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 ranged from 15 to 25 meters. Over the course of 25 years, the volcano destroyed almost 130 houses, destroyed 15 km of roads, 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. Evacuation of nearby 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 continent is located far from crustal faults and volcanic lava does not have access to the surface.

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

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, side factors such as the suffocating effects of volcanic gases, the threat of tsunamis, isolation from sunlight, distortion of the terrain and local climate changes also pose a danger.

Merapi, Indonesia

Merapi is one of the most large volcanoes on the islands of Indonesia. 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

Last time volcanic activity The volcano was registered as recently as 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 direct danger, about 50 thousand people live in the immediate vicinity, and the crater is popular tourist site 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, the following are located in the neighborhood: big cities, like Puebla and Tlaxcala de Xicotencatl. 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 most big volcano c: 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, it 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. Nyiragongo lava 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 emergency services have the means to evacuate local residents. So every year the likelihood of casualties from volcanic eruptions becomes less and less.

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 between tectonic plates, faults form and magma comes to the surface of the Earth. As a rule, volcanoes are a mountain at the end of which there is a crater, which is where lava comes out.

Volcanoes are divided into:

- active;
- sleeping;
- extinct;

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

List of the 10 most dangerous volcanoes on the planet:

1. (Hawaiian Islands, USA)

Located in the islands of Hawaii, it is one of the five volcanoes that make up the islands of Hawaii. It is the largest volcano in the world in terms of volume. It contains more than 32 cubic kilometers of magma.
The volcano was formed about 700,000 years ago.
The volcano's last eruption occurred in March 1984, and it lasted for more than 24 days, causing enormous damage to people and the surrounding area.

2. Taal Volcano (Philippines)

The volcano is located on the island of Luzon, belonging to Philippine Islands. The crater of the volcano rises 350 meters above the surface of Lake Taal and is located almost in the center of the lake.

The peculiarity of this volcano is that it is located in the crater of a very old extinct mega volcano, now this crater is filled with lake water.
In 1911, the most powerful eruption of this volcano occurred - then 1335 people died, within 10 minutes all life around the volcano died at a distance of 10 km.
The last eruption of this volcano was observed in 1965, which resulted in 200 casualties.

3. Volcano Merapi (Java Island)

The name of the volcano is literally Mountain of Fire. The volcano has been erupting systematically for the last 10,000 years. The volcano is located near the city of Yogyakarta, Indonesia, the city's population is several thousand people.
It was the most active volcano among the 130 volcanoes in Indonesia. The eruption of this volcano was believed to have led to the decline of the Hindu Kingdom of Matarama. The peculiarity and horror of this volcano is the speed of spread of magma, which is more than 150 km/hour. The volcano's last eruption occurred in 2006 and claimed 130 lives and made more than 300,000 people homeless.

4. Volcano Santa Maria (Guatemala)

This is one of the most active volcanoes XX 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 its eruption in 1902. About 6,000 people died then. The last eruption occurred in March 2011.

5. Ulawun Volcano (Papua - New Guinea)

The Ulawun volcano, located in the New Guinea region, began erupting at 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 2010.

6. Galeras Volcano (Colombia)

The Galeras Volcano is located near the border of Ecuador in Colombia. One of the most active volcanoes in Colombia, it has erupted systematically over the past 1000 years.
The first documented volcanic eruption occurred in 1580. This volcano is considered the most dangerous because of its sudden eruptions. Along the eastern slope of the volcano is the city of Paphos (Pasto). Paphos is home to 450,000 people.
In 1993, six seismologists and three tourists died during a volcanic eruption.
Since then, the volcano has erupted every year, claiming thousands of lives and making many people homeless. The last volcanic eruption occurred in January 2010.

7. Sakurajima Volcano (Japan)

Until 1914, this volcanic mountain was located on separate island in close proximity to Kyushu. After the volcano erupted in 1914, a lava flow connected the mountain to the Ozumi Peninsula (Japan). The volcano was named Vesuvius of the East.
He serves as a threat to the 700,000 people of Kagoshima City.
Since 1955, eruptions have occurred every year.
The government even built a refugee camp for the people of Kagoshima so they could find shelter during the volcanic eruption.
The last eruption of the volcano occurred on August 18, 2013.

8. Nyiragongo (DR Congo)

It is one of the most active, active volcanoes in the African region. The volcano is located in Democratic Republic Congo. The volcano has been monitored since 1882. Since the start of observations, 34 eruptions have been recorded.
A crater in the mountain serves as a holder for magma fluid. In 1977, a major eruption occurred, neighboring villages were burned by streams of hot lava. The average speed of the lava flow was 60 kilometers per hour. Hundreds of people died. The most recent eruption occurred in 2002, leaving 120,000 people homeless.

This volcano is a caldera, a formation of a pronounced round shape with a flat bottom.
The volcano is located in Yellow national park U.S.A.
This volcano has not erupted for 640,000 years.
The question arises: How can it be an active volcano?
There are claims that 640,000 years ago, this super volcano erupted.
This eruption changed the terrain and covered half of the United States in ash.
According to various estimates, the volcanic eruption cycle is 700,000 - 600,000 years. Scientists expect this volcano to erupt at any time.
This volcano could destroy life on Earth.

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