Hot streams of molten lava sloshing out of the bowels of the Earth, and at the same time clouds of ash, hot steam. The spectacle, of course, is breathtaking, but where does it come from? What kind large volcanoes exist on our planet? Where they are?

Origin and varieties of volcanoes

Under a thick layer of the earth's crust is magma - a molten substance of great temperature and under great pressure. Magma contains minerals, vaporous water and gases. When the pressure gets too high, the gases push the magma upward through weak points in the earth's crust. The surface layer of the Earth rises in the form of a mountain, and eventually the magma breaks out.

Erupting magma is called lava, and a mountainous hill with a hole is called a volcano. The eruption is accompanied by emissions of ash and steam. Lava moves at speeds of over 40 km/h, with a temperature of about 1000 degrees Celsius. Depending on the nature of the eruption and accompanying phenomena, volcanoes are divided into numerous types. For example, Hawaiian, Plinian, Peleian and others.

As it flows out, the lava hardens and builds up in layers, creating the shape of a volcano. So, there are volcanoes of a cone shape, gentle, domed, stratified or layered, as well as complex shapes. In addition, they are divided into active, dormant and extinct, depending on the degree of activity of the eruptions.

Large volcanoes of the world

Around the world there are approximately 540 active volcanoes, the number of extinct ones is even greater. All of them are located mainly in the Pacific, East African, Mediterranean fold zones. The greatest activity is manifested in the regions of the South and Central America, Kamchatka, Japanese, in Iceland.

There are 330 active volcanoes in the Pacific belt alone. Large volcanoes are located in the Andes, on the Asian islands. In Africa, the highest is Kilimanjaro, located in Tanzania. This is a potentially active volcano that can wake up at any moment. Its height is 5895 meters.

Two of the world's volcanic giants are located on the territory of Chile and Argentina. They are considered the highest on Earth. Ojos del Salado is dormant, having erupted in 700 AD, although it occasionally emits water vapor and sulfur. The Argentine Llullaillaco is considered active, the last time it erupted only in 1877.

The largest world volcanoes are presented in the table.

Name	Location	Height, m	Year of eruption
Ojos del Salado	Andes, Chile
Llullaillaco	Andes, Argentina
San Pedro	Andes, Chile
Cotopaxi	Andes, Ecuador
kilimanjaro	Tanzania, Africa		unknown
	Andes, Peru
	Cordillera, Mexico
	Caucasus mountains, Russia
popocatepetl	Cordillera, Mexico
	Andes, Ecuador

Ring of Fire of the Pacific

Water Pacific Ocean hide three lithospheric plates. Their outer edges go under the lithospheric plates of the continents. Along the entire perimeter of these joints is the Pacific Ring of Fire - small and large volcanoes, most of which are active.

The ring of fire starts from Antarctica, passes through New Zealand, the Philippine Islands, Japan, the Kuriles, Kamchatka, stretches along the entire Pacific coast of the North and South America. In some places, the ring is broken, for example near and the state of California.

Large volcanoes of the Pacific belt are located in the Andes (Orizabo, San Pedro, Misti, Cotopaxi), Sumatra (Kerinchi), Ross Island (Erebus), Java (Semeru). One of the most famous - Fujiyama - is located on the island of Honshu. The Krakatoa volcano is located.

The archipelago of the Hawaiian Islands is of volcanic origin. The largest volcano is Mauna Loa with an absolute height of 4169 meters. In terms of relative height, the mountain bypasses Everest and is considered the most high peak world, this value is 10,168 meters.

mediterranean belt

The mountainous regions of Northwest Africa, southern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Caucasus, Asia Minor, Indochina, Tibet, Indonesia and the Himalayas make up the Mediterranean. Active geological processes take place here, one of the manifestations of which is volcanism.

The largest volcanoes of the Mediterranean belt are Vesuvius, Santorin (Aegean Sea) and Etna in Italy, Elbrus and Kazbek in the Caucasus, Ararat in Turkey. Italian Vesuvius consists of three peaks. From its powerful eruption in the first century AD, the cities of Herculaneum, Pompeii, Stabia, Oplontia suffered. In memory of this event, Karl Bryullov painted the famous painting "The Last Day of Pompeii".

Stratovolcano Ararat is the highest point in Turkey and the Armenian Highlands. Its last eruption took place in 1840. It was accompanied by an earthquake that completely destroyed the neighboring village and monastery. Ararat, like the Caucasian Kazbek, consists of two peaks, which are separated by a saddle.

Large volcanoes of Russia (list)

Within the territory of Russian Federation volcanoes are located in the Kuriles, Kamchatka, the Caucasus and Transbaikalia. They make up about 8.5% of all volcanoes in the world. Many of them are considered extinct, although the sudden eruptions of Bezymyanny in 1956 and the Academy of Sciences in 1997 proved the relativity of this term.

The largest volcanoes are located in Kamchatka and Kuril Islands. The highest in all of Eurasia (among the existing ones) is considered (4835 meters). Its last eruption was recorded in 2013. There are very small volcanoes in the Primorsky and Khabarovsk Territories. For example, the height of Baranovsky is 160 meters. Berg (2005), Ebeko (2010), Chikurachki (2008), Kizimen (2013) and others have shown their activity over the past decade.

The largest volcanoes in Russia are presented in the table.

Name	Location	Height, m	Year of eruption
			650 BC e.
Klyuchevskaya Sopka	Kamchatka Krai
	Kamchatka Krai		unknown
Ushkovsky	Kamchatka Krai
Tolbachik	Kamchatka Krai
Ichinskaya Sopka	Kamchatka Krai
Kronotskaya Sopka	Kamchatka Krai
	Kamchatka Krai
Zhupanovskaya Sopka	Kamchatka Krai

Conclusion

Volcanoes are the consequences of active processes that occur inside our planet. They are formed in the earth's crust, where the crust does not withstand the onslaught of pressure and high temperatures. Effects volcanic eruption can be quite serious, as they are accompanied by emissions of ash, gases, and sulfur into the atmosphere.

Associated phenomena of the eruption are often earthquakes and faults. The flowing lava has such a high temperature that it instantly affects biological organisms.

However, in addition to the destructive action, volcanoes also have the opposite effect. Lava that has not come to the surface can lift sedimentary rocks to form mountains. And the consequence of the eruption of an underwater volcano in Iceland was the island of Surtsey.

Volcanic activity is one of the forces of nature that can change the face of the Earth. And at the moment, the underground forces continue their titanic work. Created from many layers of lava, of monstrous proportions, largest volcanoes in the world lurk under the water surface or hang over nearby cities.

Which of them are considered the largest? Scientists have not yet come to a consensus. Some believe that it is necessary to build a rating according to the height above sea level. Others - that it is necessary to take into account the area over which lava flows spread, forming a new surface. Thirdly, what is most important is the human factor: the danger to human settlements.

Most high volcano in Europe is located on the island of Sicily and is still valid. The last eruption began on December 25, 2018. Due to frequent eruptions, it is impossible to accurately determine its height - it is constantly changing. For example, over the past 30 years, Etna has "lost" more than 20 meters in height. At the moment, it rises above the island at 3295 m.

The mountain is famous for its bad character - its slopes are dotted with craters, from where lava steadily pours out every couple of months. About once a century, eruptions are larger, representing a direct danger to the human settlements inhabiting the slopes. However, this does not stop stubborn people - due to frequent eruptions, the soil on the slopes of the mountain is rich in elements useful for plants, which allow them to harvest large crops.

9. Erebus - 3794 meters

If the rest of the volcanoes are in the inhabited part of the world, then Erebus is located on the uninhabited continent of Antarctica. It is the largest active volcano in the southern polar region. Despite the lifeless ice expanses surrounding it, Erebus leads a very active life. And him geographic location- exactly above several faults in the earth's crust - this contributes a lot.

Despite the fact that people do not live near Erebus, it still affects their lives in a negative way. From the bowels of the volcano, streams of gases contained inside the Earth periodically break out, mainly methane and hydrogen, which destroy the ozone layer. It is believed that the smallest thickness of the ozone sea is exactly in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe volcano.

8. Klyuchevskaya Sopka - 4835 meters

Like Etna, the height of the Klyuchevskoy volcano is constantly changing. Although he lost about 15 meters after five years ago, he still remains the highest active volcano in Russia and Asia.

Although, compared to other peaks of Kamchatka, the Klyuchevskoy volcano loses in frequency, but it successfully compensates for this with its power. For example, the 1938 eruption lasted 13 months and caused the emergence of several craters up to 1900 m high. And the 1980 eruption tore off and threw into the air to a height of more than 500 m a block of ice with an area of ​​at least half a kilometer.

But the most spectacular and most terrible was the eruption of 1994, when an impressive ash column more than 12 km high rose above the volcano, and the plume of volcanic ash extended from the place of release for many tens of kilometers and disappeared somewhere in the ocean.

7. Orizaba - 5636 meters

“The top of the volcano must touch the sky itself,” the ancient Incas probably thought and gave it the name Sitlaltepetl, or “Star Mountain”. It is the highest active volcano in North and Central America, and the third highest peak in the region. It can be seen from afar - even many miles from the coast, the cone of Orizaba can be seen from the side of a ship moving through the Gulf of Mexico to the port of Veracruz.

Although the volcano is sleeping now, its calmness is deceptive - it led a very active existence from the moment the conquistadors came to these places until the 19th century, and in recent years, the station located at its foot has recorded constant internal activity.

6. Elbrus - 5642 meters

The most high mountain at the same time it is the largest volcano in Russia and Europe. Glaciers descending from the snow-covered surface give rise to several significant rivers that feed the plains of the Caucasus region.

In addition to beauty, a snow-white cone with two peaks and a small saddle between them is distinguished by a meek and peaceful character. Elbrus has been sleeping for a long time, and its last eruption was more than 5000 years ago. Despite the external severity, climbing Elbrus is easy and simple - climbing routes to the top of the sleeping patriarch are among the most uncomplicated.

5. Kilimanjaro - 5885 meters

Gorgeous handsome Kilimanjaro - business card Africa, its largest volcano. The sleeping giant is actually three volcanic cones that are visible from almost anywhere in neighboring Tanzania and Kenya.

Unlike many volcanoes in the rating, Kilimanjaro is the most famous volcano in the world, a typical stratovolcano. If you ask a child to draw it, most likely, he will draw a conical mountain, from the top of which ash, burning gases and very viscous lava erupt, which quickly solidifies, increasing the cone higher and higher. This is the stratovolcano. The size of Kilimanjaro is 4800 km3, and its height is 5885 m. The last time the volcano was active was at the dawn of mankind - 360,000 years ago.

4. Ojos del Salado - 6,893 meters

If the second and third places in the ranking are the largest volcanoes in the world, if you count from the seabed, then Ojos del Salado is the highest volcano in the world located above the sea surface. It rises 6,893 meters above the ground. The giant mountain is located on the border between Argentina and Chile.

Although the last active volcanic eruption occurred before the invention of writing by mankind - no data on it has been preserved - however, Ojos del Salado cannot be called sleeping in the full sense of the word. In the bowels of a huge mountain, a mysterious hidden work seems to be taking place, the echo of which reaches the inhabitants of the earth in the form of clouds of steam and ash. The last such activity took place as recently as 1993.

3. Mauna Loa - 9800 meters

Mauna Loa is an underwater volcano whose summit (along with five others) caused big island archipelago of Hawaii. The size of Mauna Loa is 40,000 km3, the area is 75,000 m2, and the height (if you count from the seabed) is as much as 9800 m. And it is the highest active volcano in the world - the last eruption of Mauna Loa was only 34 years ago, in 1984 year. In total, over the past 170 years, Mauna Loa has scared people with its activity, throwing out lava, 33 times.

2. Mauna Kea - 10058 meters

"Sister" Mauna Loa rises almost 4267 m above sea level. Seems like a little, right? However, Mauna Kea has more potential than meets the eye - its base is located deep under the water column at a depth of more than 6000 m. Mauna Kea does it. If it were located entirely on land, it would break the record of all the highest volcanoes in the world, beating the "terrestrial" favorite Ojos del Salado by almost 3000 m.

At the top of Mauna Kea, there is very low humidity and almost never clouds - now one of the largest observatories in the world is located there.

Mauna Kea arose over a hot spot of the earth - a place where red-hot and molten magma rises from the Earth's mantle layer. Over millions of years, molten rock emanating outward formed the surface of the entire Hawaiian archipelago. Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano; this means that it has been inactive for more than 4,000 years, and the hot spot of magma outflow has shifted. However, inaction does not mean that he will doze forever.

1. The largest volcano in the world: Tamu Massif - 4000 meters

“How, only 4000 meters - and the largest volcano in the world?” The reader may be indignant. Yes, Tamu's height is not too impressive. But let's look at it in more detail from all sides.

Most of the largest natural objects in the world have been discovered by mankind long ago, at the dawn of its existence. But the Tamu massif - the largest volcano on planet Earth - managed to hide from people for many years.

It is amazing that mankind knew more about the huge volcanoes on Mars than about the giant mountain under their very noses. The reason for this is both the remote location (it is located more than 1,600 kilometers east of Japan) and the depth. Its top is submerged in the thickness of the World Ocean for 2000 km. And only in 2013, scientists found out that the amazing mountain of lava at the bottom of the ocean is actually a single volcano.

Its volume is approximately equal to 2.5 million km3, and its area is more than 311 km2. Fortunately, he has been sleeping for a long time - the last eruption of Tamu was about 144 million years ago.

The most dangerous volcano in the world

The Yellowstone supervolcano is considered the most active and dangerous today. Located in the US National Park, it poses a huge threat not only to the state of Wyoming, but to the entire planet. It is believed that the eruption of the Yellowstone Volcano can lead to climate change throughout the Earth.

As a result of the disaster, more than 70% of the US territory will be destroyed. Magma and ash will cover the territory with a 3-meter layer. Losses will amount to more than 10 million lives, and the territory will turn into uninhabited due to high levels of radiation.

Today, visiting the park is limited, entry is completely prohibited to some territories. Scientists carefully examine the caldera, the eruption may begin in the coming decades.

Volcanoes are not only an exciting and dangerous sight. It is thanks to volcanic activity that life on planet Earth was born. Atmosphere and hydrosphere appeared due to emissions huge amount carbon dioxide and water vapor. To date, some fire-breathing mountains are inactive, while others cause trouble and anxiety to mankind.

Volcano Vesuvius. Italy

Considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes Europe. It was he who in August 1979 destroyed several ancient Roman cities, including Pompeii. It wakes up about every 20 years. Last time- in 1944.

Volcano Yellowstone Caldera. USA

About a third of Yellowstone national park occupies an active volcano. Inside his bubble of magma is constantly heating thermal springs, which is manifested in the formation of geysers and mud pots.

Volcano Krakatau. Indonesia

The last time it erupted was in 1883, as a result of which the island on which the volcano is located was destroyed. The process lasted from May to the end of August. The victims of the ash and tsunami were 36 thousand people and 259 settlements. Today, a 1.5 km zone around the island is closed to the public.

Volcano Mauna Loa. Hawaii

This is the second largest of the megavolcanoes, the top of which is covered with snow from January to March. Sometimes he wakes up and pours out lava flows.

Mount Kilimanjaro. Tanzania, Africa

The volcano consists of 3 extinct peaks. However, scientists have found that only at a depth of 400 m under the crater of the mountain is red-hot lava. In addition, the centuries-old ice cap that covered the peak has almost melted.

Eyjafjallajokull volcano. Iceland

Not so long ago, the volcano paralyzed the work of several European airports. The eruption was rated at 4 points on the VEI scale. Some researchers believe that the awakening of Eyyafyatlayokudl may be the trigger for the Katla eruption.

Volcano Cotopaxi. Ecuador

This is the most active volcano. After more than 150 years of silence, Cotopaxi came to life again in 2015. Fortunately, no one was hurt.

Volcano Merapi. Java island

One of the most active volcanoes erupts at least twice a year, and major eruptions occur every seven years. For local residents have to evacuate. The top of Merapi smokes non-stop.

Volcano Popocatepetl. Mexico

The most powerful eruption occurred in 2000. It was preceded by 15 years of increased activity fiery mountain. In March 2016, Popocatepetl raised a column of steam, gas and ash to a height of 2 km. At risk are the cities of Mexico City and Puebla.

Volcanoes- geological formations on the surface of the earth's crust, through which magma appears. The name comes from the Roman god of fire - Vulcan. Today there are more than 1000 active volcanoes on the planet. Next, we will introduce you to the classification of volcanoes, tell you where most of them are located and which are considered the highest and most famous.

Volcanoes: interesting facts

There is a large classification of volcanoes. So everything volcanoes of the world are divided into 3 types:
By appearance (thyroid, stratovolcanoes, cinder cones, domes);
By location (podlenikovye, terrestrial, underwater);
By activity (extinct, dormant, active).

Each volcano consists of the following parts:
Main crater;
Side crater;
Vent.


Some volcanoes do not erupt lava. There are also mud volcanoes, and geysers are also post-volcanic formations.

Where are the volcanoes of the world

Most of the volcanoes are located in the Andes, Indonesia, Iceland, Hawaii and Kamchatka. However, they are not located randomly, but in strictly defined zones:
Most of the volcanoes are located in a zone called the Pacific Ring of Fire: in the Andes, Cordillera, Kamchatka, as well as in the Philippines and New Zealand. Nearly all are located here. active volcanoes terrestrial world - 328 out of 540.
Another location zone is the Mediterranean fold belt, which includes the Mediterranean Sea (Santorini, Etna, Vesuvius) and stretches to Indonesia, where almost all the powerful eruptions of the world took place: Tambora in 1815 and Krakatoa in 1883.
Mid-Atlantic Ridge, forming entire volcanic islands. Vivid examples: Canary Islands, Iceland.

Active volcanoes of the world

Most of the active volcanoes are located in the above zones. Volcanoes often erupt in Iceland, periodically reminds of itself the highest volcano in Europe - Etna. Others that are particularly well known are:
Popocatepetl, located near Mexico City;
Vesuvius;
Mauna Loa;
Nyiragongo (DR Congo), famous for its huge lake of boiling lava, located in the crater.

Extinct volcanoes of the world

Volcanoes often complete active eruptions. Some of them are considered extinct, others are considered dormant. Extinct volcanoes of the world located throughout the planet, including in the Andes, where the highest volcano in the world is located - (6893 meters), as well as the mountain of volcanic origin Aconcagua ( main summit South America).

Often extinct volcanoes used as observatories, for example, Mauna Kea on Hawaiian Islands, in the crater of which 13 telescopes are installed. By the way, it is Mauna Kea that is recognized as the highest volcano in general, if we consider the underwater part, then its height is 10,205 meters.

The most famous volcanoes in the world

Everyone heard stories about terrible eruptions that destroyed entire cities and destroyed islands. Here we will talk about:
Vesuvius, this small volcano in Italy (1281 m) destroyed the city of Pompeii. This moment is even captured in Bryullov's painting The Last Day of Pompeii.
Etna is the highest volcano in Europe that erupts periodically. The last eruption took place in May 2015.
Krakatau is a volcano in Indonesia that erupted in 1883 with the explosion of 10,000 atomic bombs. Now in its place rises new volcano- Anak-Krakatau.
Tambor. In 1815, the most powerful eruption of our time took place, as a result of which a volcanic winter came (the pollution of the atmosphere with ash), and 1816 became a year without a summer.
Santorini, which destroyed the Minoan civilization and destroyed an entire island in the Mediterranean Sea.
Mont Pele on Martinique, which destroyed the port of Saint-Pierre in a matter of minutes. 36,000 people died
The Yellowstone Caldera is a potential supervolcano whose eruption could change the map of the world.
Kilimanjaro - highest point Africa.