Terribly beautiful volcanoes. Five of the world's most famous volcanoes
Vesuvius is an amazing volcano. Firstly, the leader in popularity, breaking all recognition records, secondly, a long-liver (he declared himself even before ancient times and the famous Pompeii), thirdly, perhaps one of the most prolific volcanoes in eruptions, and, thirdly, fourth, the most unpredictable. None of the scientists can even guess when Vesuvius will once again begin to "play pranks." Only strong eruptions for the entire time of his “professional activity” were recorded in the amount of 80 pieces, and even mediocre and weak ones are tired of counting. At the same time, Vesuvius is clearly not going to retire. At its top, tourists can safely bake eggs - the temperature of the soil is so high.
This is probably why the “anniversaries of pranks” of this world-famous volcano, which lives in sunny Italy near Naples, can be celebrated almost every month. What we, in fact, are doing, devoting one of the dates of the eruption of Vesuvius to our TOP 10 most famous volcanoes peace.
Place 10. The most difficult to pronounce. I don’t know how big and powerful the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull is compared to Vesuvius, but it is known that in 2010 it caused a lot of trouble to air carriers. Due to the wild amount of volcanic ash and steam, some flights were canceled and airports in Glasgow, Birmingham, London, Liverpool, Belfast Dublin, Stockholm and Oslo were stopped. But even this was not enough for the Icelandic volcano. He has created an incredible amount of problems for many announcers, who must have trained long and hard to pronounce his name on one breath.
Place 9. The coldest. Surprisingly, it is a fact: volcanoes are the most tenacious creatures, found almost everywhere. Here, it would seem, such a "hot thing" cannot live at minus fifty, but no! Volcanoes live quietly and on south pole, in Antarctica. The highest of the Antarctic volcanoes is Mount Sidley, "growth" of 4285 meters. By the way, it is also the most inaccessible volcano. People conquered it only in 1990.
Place 8. The most legendary. Two volcanoes are fighting for the title of the most legendary at once. One of them is Mexican Popocatepetl, who last went "to work" in 2007, and the other is European Elbrus. According to legend, Popocatepetl arose from ... strong love. The daughter of the Aztec ruler Istaxihuatl fell in love with a simple warrior Popocatepetl. However, the pope was against this unequal union and sent the young man to war, after which he spread the rumor about his imminent death. The daughter, unable to withstand the blow, committed suicide, and when Popokatepetl found out about this alive and unharmed, he decided that life without a sweetheart is not life. And he followed his beloved to another world. The gods, amazed by the power of the love of young people, decided to turn them into rocks so that they would stay next to each other forever. Well, on the top of Elbrus, myths and legends alternately settled either genies, or the famous bird Simurgh, or even left the chained Prometheus there.
Place 7. Most Religious. Etna is a volcano, like Vesuvius, prolific. The eruptions alone exceeded almost two hundred. Almost every 150 years, Etna wakes up from hunger and begins to eat nearby cities. However, people adore her not for her bloodthirstiness, but for her reverence for believers and her healing gift. Several facts of the miraculous healing of the sick who visited Etna are known, and after the stream of red-hot lava froze in reverence in front of the Catholic procession in 1928, the Sicilians completely made Etna one of the symbols of the island. Also, this volcano is famous for its blues festivals, which are arranged during his sleep.
Place 6. The fastest. Usually volcanoes are unpredictable, but sometimes scientists manage to find out in advance about the impending eruption. However, as in that parable about the boy and the wolves, some residents of nearby cities do not believe in such predictions. And very in vain. So on November 13, 1985, the Colombian volcano Nevado del Ruiz completely destroyed the city of Armero, located 50 kilometers from the “hot thing” with a height of 5400 meters. At the same time, everything about everything at the volcano took ... only 10 minutes! The death toll exceeded 20 thousand people. But scientists have warned...
Place 5. The most fabulous. Remember the tale of the "Frog Princess"? To defeat Koshchei the Immortal, Ivan Tsarevich had to get a needle that was in an egg, an egg in a duck, a duck in a hare, a hare in a chest, and a chest on a tree. It is on the principle of "thing in things" that the Russian volcano Krenitsyn is complicated. He is "registered" in Kuril Islands and is considered the largest in area, as it is located in Lake Koltsevoe (diameter about 7 kilometers), which is located in another, more ancient, crater. So you can admire its beauties only from a helicopter. By the way, the volcano got its name in honor of the Russian navigator Pyotr Kuzmich Krenitsyn.
Place 4. The most influential. Indonesia is often referred to as the land of volcanoes. It was here that the most influential of them was born - Krakatoa, which blew up the world on August 15, 1883. Its eruption caused a shock wave that circled the globe 7 times and a giant tsunami that wiped out 295 cities and towns in Java and Sumatra. As a result of his activities, more than 36 thousand people died, and hundreds of thousands were left homeless. The volcanic dust of Krakatoa surrounded the planet in a cloud, painting sunrises and sunsets in royal purple. Many scientists believe that it was this eruption that affected the ecology of the Earth.
Location 3. The most famous of the newcomers. By the way, today Vesuvius is far from the only popular volcano. It was pushed by the Russian Plosky Tolbachik, who began erupting back in November 2012. Since then, scientists from all over the world and just curious tourists flock to it in droves. The Kamchatka volcano also gave the world new copper minerals - melanotallite, ponomarevite, piipite, fedotovite, kamchatkit, klyuchevsky, alumoklyuchevskite and, of course, tolbachite.
Place 2. The highest. Well, what about in the TOP-10 without the highest?! They are rightfully a South American active volcano with a funny name for the Russians Llyulyaylyako. Its absolute height is 6739 meters, relative - almost 2.5 kilometers. It would seem that this is all. An, no! Lullaillaco is known for its eternal ice cap, border state (located on the border of Chile and Argentina), dry neighbor (Atacama Desert) and archaeological finds. In 1999, the mummified bodies of three children, allegedly sacrificed 500 years ago, were discovered on the top of the volcano.
Place 1. The most romantic. Don't go to the fortuneteller here! Without words, it is clear that Mount Fuji will be recognized as the most romantic, refined, attractive, gentle and charming. It is to her that countless haiku, drawings, paintings and photographs are dedicated. Scientists consider Fuji to be an active volcano, although weakly active (the last eruption was recorded in 1707-1708). By the way, among the countless drawings of this beauty, there is not one where the eruption itself would be captured. Fuji's neighbors include not only a Shinto shrine, a weather station, and a post office, but also the gloomy Aokigahara suicide forest, located right at the foot of the volcano. But such a neighborhood does not bother Fujiyama at all. The Japanese believe that the forest only gives a veil of mystery and mysticism to their favorite, attracting tourists from all countries. However, this does not prevent the inhabitants of the country rising sun place warning signs with the phone numbers of psychologists throughout Aokigahara. Yes, just in case.
They destroyed cities and even entire states. Today, Earth's volcanoes have not become calmer. Nevertheless, both in the distant past and today, they attract thousands of researchers and scientists from all over the world. The desire to know and understand what happens to a fire-breathing mountain during an eruption, how this process occurs, what precedes it, makes scientists climb dangerous slopes, approaching craters where the elements are raging.
Today, volcanologists have united in an international organization (IAVCEI). She carefully monitors likely eruptions that could pose a threat to human life. To date, there is a list where there is the name of volcanoes, their location and the likelihood of the next eruption. This helps to prevent loss of life, evacuate people from the danger zone if necessary, and take emergency measures.
Etna (Italy)
We decided to start our review with this mountain not by chance. Mount Etna, the photo of which you see below in the article, is active, active, one of the largest and most dangerous on Earth. It is located in the east of Sicily, not far from Catania and Messina.
Its activity is explained by its location at the junction of the Eurasian and African. Other active mountains of the country are located at this break - Vesuvius, Stromboli, Vulcano. Scientists say that in ancient times (15-35 thousand years ago), Mount Etna, whose photos are often printed in special publications, was distinguished by explosive eruptions that left vast layers of lava. In the 21st century, Etna erupted more than 10 times, fortunately, without human casualties.
It is difficult to pinpoint the exact height of this mountain, as its top point changes due to frequent eruptions. They usually happen after a few months. Etna occupies a huge area (1250 sq. km). After lateral eruptions, Etna had 400 craters. On average, every three to four months, the volcano ejects lava. It is potentially dangerous in the event of a powerful eruption. Thanks to the latest scientific developments, scientists hope to determine the increased activity of the mountain in time.
Sakurajima (Japan)
Experts consider Earth's volcanoes active if they have been active in the last 3000 years. This Japanese volcano has been active continuously since 1955. It belongs to the first category. In other words, an eruption can start at any time. A not very strong lava ejection was noted in February 2009. Anxiety accompanies the inhabitants of Kagoshima City almost constantly. Teachings, equipped shelters have firmly entered their everyday life.
Researchers have installed webcams over the crater, so Sakurajima is under constant surveillance. I must say that volcanoes on the islands can change the terrain. This happened in Japan, when in 1924 there was a strong eruption of Sakurajima. Powerful tremors warned the city of danger, most of the residents managed to leave their homes and evacuate.
After that, the volcano, bearing the name Sakurajima (which means "sakura island"), can no longer be called an island. Great amount lava formed an isthmus that connected the mountain with the island of Kyushu. And a year after the eruption, lava slowly flowed out of the crater. The bottom of the bay has risen in the center of the Aira caldera, located eight kilometers from Sakurajima.
Aso (Japan)
This popular tourist facility for extreme lovers, it is actually a dangerous volcano, which in 2011 threw out a large amount of lava and ash, covering an area of 100 kilometers. Since that moment, more than 2,500 powerful tremors have been registered. This suggests that at any moment he can destroy the nearby village.
Vesuvius (Italy)
Wherever there are volcanoes - on the continents or on the islands, they are equally dangerous. Vesuvius is very powerful, and therefore very dangerous. It is one of the three active scientists have information about 80 major eruptions of this mountain. The worst thing happened in 1979. Then the cities of Pompeii, Stabia, Herculaneum were completely destroyed.
One of the last powerful eruptions was noted in 1944. The height of this mountain is 1281 m, the diameter of the crater is 750 m.
Colima (Mexico)
Many of us still remember the name of volcanoes (at least some of them) from the school curriculum, we learn about others from newspapers, and only specialists are aware of others. Colima is perhaps the most dangerous and powerful in the world. It last erupted in June 2005. Then a column of ash thrown out of the crater rose to a great height (more than 5 km). Local authorities had to evacuate residents of nearby villages.
This fire-breathing mountain consists of 2 conical peaks. Nevado de Colima is the highest of them. Its height is 4,625 m. It is considered extinct, and the other peak is an active volcano. It is called Volcán de Fuego de Colima - "Fire Volcano". Its height is 3,846 m. The locals called it the Mexican Vesuvius.
It has erupted more than 40 times since 1576. And today it is extremely dangerous not only for residents of nearby cities, but for the whole of Mexico.
Galeras (Colombia)
Often the name of volcanoes is directly related to the area on which the mountain is located. But the name Galeras has nothing to do with the nearby town of Pasto.
It is a huge and powerful volcano. Its height reaches 4276 meters. The diameter of the base is more than 20 kilometers, and the crater is 320 meters. It is located in Colombia (South America).
At the foot of this giant mountain is the small town of Pasto. In August 2010, its inhabitants had to be urgently evacuated due to the strongest eruption. The region has declared a state of emergency of the highest degree. More than 400 police officers were sent to the district to provide assistance to the townspeople.
Scientists say that over the past 7 thousand years, the volcano has woken up at least 6 times. And all the eruptions were very powerful. When conducting research work in 1993, six geologists died in the crater. At this time, another eruption began. In 2006, residents of the surrounding villages were evacuated due to the threat of a strong lava ejection.
Volcano Elbrus
On the border of Karachay-Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria is the highest point in Europe and, of course, Russia - Elbrus. It is connected with the northern part of the Greater Caucasus by the Lateral Range. The Elbrus Volcano consists of two peaks that are approximately the same height. Its eastern part reaches 5621 m, and the western part - 5642 m.
It is a cone-shaped stratovolcano. Its layers are formed by flows of tufa, lava, and ash. The last eruptions of Elbrus were recorded 2500 years ago. Over time, it took on its current form. Few volcanoes on Earth can boast such a beautiful, "classic" cone shape. As a rule, craters quickly collapse under the influence of erosion. The beauty of Elbrus is protected by its mantle of ice and snow. It does not descend even in summer, for which the volcano was nicknamed Little Antarctica.
Despite the fact that he reminded of himself for a long time, experts who observe his current state and degree of activity do not consider him extinct. They call the mountain "sleeping". The volcano is behaving actively (fortunately, not yet destructively). Hot masses are still stored in its depths. They "warm up" known sources. Their temperature reaches +52 °С and +60 ºС. Seep through the cracks to the surface
Today Elbrus is a unique natural area, a valuable scientific base. In Soviet times, scientific research was carried out here, and now there is a geophysical laboratory, the highest in Europe.
Popocatepetl (Mexico)
This is the country's most located 50 kilometers from the capital - Mexico City. A city of twenty million is always prepared for an emergency evacuation. In addition, there are also two major cities- Tlaxcala de Jicotencatl and Puebla. This restless volcano also makes their inhabitants nervous. Emissions of sulfur, gas, stones and dust occur almost every month. In the last decade alone, the volcano has erupted three times.
Mauna Loa Volcano (USA, Hawaii)
It is the largest in terms of fiery mountain» Earth. Together with the underwater part, it is 80,000 cubic meters. km! The southeastern slope and summit are part of the Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park.
There is a volcanological station on Mauna Loa. Research and ongoing observations have been carried out since 1912. There are also solar and atmospheric observatories.
The last eruption was noted in 1984. The height of the mountain above sea level is 4,169 meters.
Nyiragongo (Congo)
As already noted, the name of volcanoes may not always be known to ordinary citizens living on another continent. That doesn't make the mountain any less dangerous. Its activities are monitored by specialists and promptly report on an increase in activity.
Next on our list is the active volcano Nyiragongo, which is 3,469 meters high. It is located in the central part of the African continent, in the Virunga mountains. The volcano is considered the most dangerous in Africa. Partially, it connects with the more ancient mountains of Shaheru and Baratu. It is surrounded by hundreds of smoldering small volcanic cones. 40% of all observed eruptions on the continent occur here.
Mount Rainier (USA)
Our overview list is completed by a stratovolcano located in Pierce County (Washington), 87 km south of Seattle.
Rainier is part of the Volcanic Arc. Its height is 4392 meters. Its summit is made up of two volcanic craters.
We have presented you the most famous volcanoes. Their list, of course, is incomplete, because, according to scientists, there are more than 600 active mountains alone. In addition, 1-2 new volcanoes appear on Earth every year.
In this post, I want to show you a selection of the most beautiful volcanoes in the world. Volcano is a beauty that can kill you, but which can not be admired.
The Anak Krakato volcano is located on the island of Krakatoa. In 1883, the volcanic eruption was so powerful that it was recognized as "the most powerful volcanic explosion in the history of modern times."
The shape of Japan's Mount Fuji is almost perfect. It is still considered active, despite the fact that the last eruption was here in 1708. except beautiful scenery and snow-capped peaks, the bullet train from Tokyo to Yokohama awaits tourists here.
In a picture taken in April 2010, the eruption Icelandic volcano co complicated name- Eyjafjallajokull. That year's blowout created many problems for airlines carrying passengers. Due to the cancellation of more than a hundred flights, thousands of passengers were forced to sit in airports waiting for the clouds of smoke and ash to subside.
IN national park with the name "Hawaiian volcanoes" is Mauna Loa. This is the largest volcano on our planet.
The tallest of all active volcanoes Etna is considered to be located in the eastern part of the island of Sicily. Guides lead groups of tourists to the very crater of the volcano. Therefore, scientists always closely monitor the activity of Etna.
The eruption of the Fogo volcano on the island of Cape Verde local residents often flee and seek shelter in a calmer neighboring island- Brava.
Pacaya volcano is located in the city of Antigua (Guatemala). Despite systematic small eruptions, tourists often climb to the top. From here opens unforgettably beautiful view.
Vesuvius volcano is as temperamental and hot as the Italians themselves. He has a rather colorful and "stormy" past. The strongest volcanic eruptions caused the death of two cities - Pompeii and Herculaneum in 79, claimed the lives of 218 people in 1906 and led to serious destruction of several nearby cities.
Villarrica is one of the most active volcanoes in Chile. In summer it is popular route for hiking and in winter - skiing. From here you have excellent views of the surroundings.
Only professional climbers will be able to climb the snow-capped peak of the Shishaldin volcano in Alaska. Fans and ordinary tourists are better off choosing a different route.
The Bromo Volcano in Indonesia has long been a site of human sacrifice. After a special ritual, living people were simply thrown into the mouth of the volcano. Today, Indonesians do this with their dead.
The volcanic island of Stromboli is very large and extremely active. It is often referred to as the "Lighthouse of the Mediterranean".
The most high point on the North Island of New Zealand is the volcano Ruapehu. Green forests and snow perfectly combine on its slopes. The last volcanic eruption was in 2007.
Main volcano Ecuador Cotopaxi in shape is as close as possible to the conical. In addition to numerous climbers, small hummingbirds can be found on its slopes.
Actually big island on the Galapagos Islands, Isabela, there are as many as six volcanoes. Four of them are still active. On the stone slopes you can find many turtles peacefully basking in the sun.
As beautiful as the Mayon Volcano in the Philippines is dangerous. He systematically demonstrates his "character". This year, during the ascent to the top, seven people died here.
There are hundreds of volcanoes on the surface of the Earth. Among them are the highest volcanoes, the most powerful volcanoes, the most large volcanoes. And they are united by one thing - each rises to tens and hundreds of meters and frightens with its power: it is possible that the volcano will begin to release steam and ash.
Where are the most active volcanoes?
Volcanoes are geological formations that appear in the earth's crust above cracks. And it is through them that ash, lava, loose rocks, water vapor and gases break through to the surface.
A volcano is called active if it showed signs of activity (for example, emitted gas and steam) in a historical time for a person. The largest number of active volcanoes is located on the territory of the Malay Archipelago. It is the largest on the planet, located between the continents of Australia and Asia. And in Russia, a large cluster of volcanoes is located in Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands. About 60 volcanoes erupt every year in this part. But there is evidence of 627 volcanoes that have shown signs of life in the last 10,000 years.
The largest volcano
One of the largest volcanoes in the world is called Mauna Loa. It literally translates to "Long Mountain" in Hawaiian. The volcano occupies most of the island of Hawaii and is considered perhaps the most active in the world. Mauna Low has erupted exactly 33 times since it was first recorded in 1843. The last time the volcano came to life was in 1984. Then about 30 thousand acres of land were covered with lava, and the area of the island itself increased by 180 hectares. Mauna Low rises to 4169 meters above sea level. But if you measure the height of the volcano from the bottom, then the figure will be twice as large - 9 thousand meters. This is even higher than famous mountain Everest.
Hawaiian is not only the largest and most powerful volcano, it is also the most massive. Its volume from the base to the top is 75 thousand cubic kilometers. By the way, there are many legends around Mauna Low. According to one of them, the mistress of the volcanoes Pele was expelled from the house by her older sister, who was the goddess of water and the sea. When Pele tried to build her own house, her sister sent waves to destroy it. As a result, Pele settled on the island and made herself a house called Mauna Low, it was so massive that the waves could not overwhelm it.
Tallest active volcano
The highest active volcano is considered by some to be Llullaillaco. It is located in the Chilean-Argentine Andes. Its height is 6 thousand 723 meters. The eruption of the largest volcano was last recorded in 1877.
However, in the question what is the most high volcano of the world from among the current ones, the opinions of scientists differ. Some believe that the highest is Cotopaxi. It is located in the South American Andes, in Ecuador. Its height is less than that of the previous one, only 5,897 meters. But the last major eruption was recorded in 1942. Cotopaxi can rightly be called the most beautiful in Ecuador. This is due to the riot of greenery at the foot and the graceful crater. However, the picture is deceiving. Cotopaxi, like a number of others, are the most dangerous volcanoes. In Ecuador, since 1742, 10 fairly large eruptions have been recorded that destroyed the city of Latacunga (it lies very close to Cotopaxi).
The most famous volcanoes
However, all of the above volcanoes are hardly known to the general public. The most famous volcanoes in the world are Vesuvius, Mount Fuji or, for example, Etna.
Vesuvius is located in southern Italy near Naples and is active. True, the volcano is not very large, its height is only 1281 meters. Vesuvius is one of three active volcanoes in the country. And one of the most dangerous in the world. To date, more than 80 eruptions are known to mankind, and the most famous occurred 2 millennia ago - in 79. It was then that the cities of Pompeii, Stabiae, Herculaneum were destroyed. The last eruption was recorded in 1944, the lava destroyed the cities of Massa and San Sebastiano.
The highest volcano in Africa and in general the highest point of the continent is Kilimanjaro. The volcano is located in Tanzania, 300 kilometers south of the equator. One of the peaks of Kilimanjaro - Kibo - reaches 5895 meters. Uhuru Peak is the highest point of the volcano. Scientists suggest that the age of Kilimanjaro is more than a million years. And what is most surprising, although the volcano is located almost on the equator, many glaciers have accumulated on its slopes.
The largest volcanoes can be seen in Asia. Famous Fujiyama is located on the Japanese island of Honshu, which is 150 kilometers from Tokyo. The volcano has an almost perfect conical shape and has been the subject of a cult for local residents since ancient times. The height of the mountain is 3776 meters. Now the volcano is weakly active, the last time experts recorded an eruption in 1707.
The strongest volcanic eruption
But the most powerful volcanic eruption in history occurred in 1883. May 20 began to show the activity of Krakatau. It was on this day that the inhabitants of the capital of Indonesia began to hear the first peals: people began to feel the shaking from the volcano, which is located 50 kilometers from the capital. Such phenomena lasted three months, the volcano calmed down, then became more active. Layers of floating pumice accumulated on the surface.
On August 27 of the same year, there was a strong volcanic eruption that a person has ever seen. The rumble was heard even 5 thousand kilometers from the epicenter. Ashes rose to a height of up to 30 kilometers. The volcanic structure scattered over a vast territory, within a radius of up to 500 kilometers. The gas-ash column towered 70 kilometers, that is, it rose right into the mesosphere. The ash covered over 4 million square kilometers and occupied a total of 18 cubic kilometers. The strength of the explosion was rated at 6 points. According to experts, this is 200,000 times the force of the explosion that destroyed Hiroshima.
As a result of the eruption, about 300 villages and cities in Indonesia were wiped off the face of the earth. Outcome: 37 thousand dead, most of the people were overwhelmed by a tsunami about 30 meters high.
The highest volcano in the world
The highest volcano in the world is translated from Spanish as "salty eyes". Ojos del Salado is located on the border of Argentina and Chile, and rises to 6891 meters. The record peak is in Chilean territory.
The volcano is said to be inactive. This is because not a single case of an eruption has been recorded in the history of mankind. However, sometimes Ojos del Salado reminds of itself. For example, in 1993, the release of water vapor and sulfur was noticed.
By the way, some geographers have already reclassified the volcano as active. Thus, displacing Llullaillaco from the first place in the list of the highest active volcanoes. However, the controversy has not subsided yet. Also interesting is the fact that the high mountain Russia's Elbrus is also a volcano.
