The highest active and extinct volcanoes in the world
The volcano is one of the most beautiful, unexpected and terrible mysteries of nature. There are more than two hundred of them on Earth, and each one impresses with its height and power. Even volcanoes that are considered extinct cannot be trusted, because one day they can “wake up” and start erupting lava. Which of the active volcanoes is considered the highest? Where are they the most? We will talk about this and much more in this article.
The area with the most active volcanoes
A volcano is a crack in the earth's crust through which ash, steam, fiery lava, and gases are thrown out. The appearance of the volcano resembles a mountain. Why are volcanoes divided into active and extinct?
If the slightest activity of a giant mountain was recorded in the history of mankind, then the volcano is considered active. It doesn't have to be ejected. By activity is meant even if it just emits steam and ash once every hundred years.
Many active volcanoes are located in the Malay Archipelago, which is territorially adjacent to Asia and Australia. On the territory of Russia there is also a dangerous zone of active volcanoes. It is located in Kamchatka with the capture of the Kuril Islands. According to scientists, at least 60 volcanoes show signs of activity there every year.
The largest volcano in the world
Mauna Loa is the name of a giant that surpassed all other volcanoes in the world in its size. It is located in Hawaii. Translated from the local language, the volcano is called "Long Mountain".
The activity of the giant was first recorded in 1843. Since that moment, it has erupted 33 times already, which makes it perhaps the most active volcano on the planet. The last eruption occurred in 1984. Then the lava covered 30 thousand acres of land. After the eruption, the territory of Hawaii increased by almost 200 hectares.
Above sea level, Mauna Lao has a height of 4,169 m, and if you count the height from the very center, you get almost 9 thousand m. This is even higher than the highest mountain in the world - Everest.
Mauna Lao is not only the largest, but also the most powerful volcano. 75 thousand cubic kilometers - this is its total volume.
The highest active volcano in the world
In this part, even among scientists, opinions are divided. As for the height above sea level, there is no doubt, the Llullaillaco volcano is considered the highest - 6,723 m. It is located in the Andes between Chile and Argentina. Its last eruption was recorded in 1877.
Another part of the scientists gives the laurels of primacy to another volcano located in the Andes, but already on the territory of Ecuador - Cotopaxi. Its height above sea level is slightly lower than its competitor - 5,897 m. However, its last eruption was in 1942. And it was much more powerful than the Llullaillaco eruption.
All scientists agree on one thing - Cotopaxi is the most beautiful volcano. It has an elegant crater and incredibly beautiful greenery at the foot. However, such beauty is very deceptive. Over the past 300 years, 10 powerful eruptions have been recorded. All 10 times the city of Latacunga, which is located near the foot of the giant, was completely destroyed.
The most famous volcanoes in the world
Despite the fact that the previous volcanoes are the largest and most beautiful, few have heard of them. But there are two leaders who are known to everyone since school lessons - Fujiyama, Vesuvius and Kilimanjaro.
Fujiyama is located in Asia, on the island of Honshu, not far from the Japanese capital. Since ancient times, local residents have erected a volcano in a cult. It rises to 3,776 meters above sea level and has a beautiful outline. The last powerful eruption was recorded in 1707.
Vesuvius is an active volcano in southern Italy. By the way, this is one of the three active volcanoes in the country. Although Vesuvius is not as high as other volcanoes (only 1,281 m above sea level), it is considered one of the most dangerous. It was he who completely destroyed Pompeii, as well as Herculaneum and Stabiae. Its last eruption took place in 1944. Then the cities of San Sebastiano and Massa were completely destroyed by lava.
Kilimanjaro is not only the highest African volcano, but also the highest point on the continent. Scientists believe that the history of Kilimanjaro goes back two million years. The volcano is located 300 meters south of the Equator. Despite this, a large number of glaciers have accumulated at its foot.
The tallest extinct volcano in the world
The highest extinct volcano is also located on the territory of two countries - Chile and Argentina. The peak of the Ojos del Salado volcano (translated from Spanish as “Salty Eyes”) is located on the Chilean side. The height of the peak is 6,891 m above sea level.
In the entire history of human existence, Ojos del Salado has never erupted. There were several cases when he threw out water vapor and sulfur. The last time this happened was in 1993.
This fact made many scientists think about whether Ojos del Salado should be included in the ranks of active volcanoes? If this happens, it will become the highest active volcano in the world.
