Since ancient times, the eruption of a volcano aroused horror in man. Tons of hot lava, molten rocks, toxic gas emissions destroyed cities and even entire states. Today, Earth's volcanoes have not become calmer. Nevertheless, in the distant past, and today they attract thousands of researchers, scientists from around the world. The desire to find out and understand what happens to the fire-breathing mountain during the eruption, how this process occurs, what precedes it, forces scientists to climb dangerous slopes, approaching the craters where the elements are raging.
Today, volcanologists have joined together in an international organization (IAVCEI). It carefully monitors probable eruptions, which can pose a threat to human life. To date, there is a list with the name of the volcanoes, their location and the probability of the next eruption. This helps to prevent casualties, if necessary, evacuate people from the danger zone and take emergency measures.
In this article, a map of the world's volcanoes with names will be published, you will find out which of them are the most dangerous today. Perhaps such information will be useful to you if you are interested in the nature of this dangerous phenomenon.
Etna (Italy)
It was not by chance that we decided to start our review from this mountain. Etna Volcano, whose photo you see below in the article, is active, active, one of the largest and most dangerous on Earth. It is located in eastern Sicily, near Catania and Messina.
Its activity is explained by the location at the junction of the Eurasian and African tectonic plates. Other active mountains of the country - Vesuvius, Stromboli, Vulcano - are located on this kink. Scientists claim that in antiquity (15-35 thousand years ago) the Etna volcano, whose photos are often printed by special publications, was distinguished by explosive eruptions that left vast layers of lava. In the 21st century, the eruptions of Etna occurred more than 10 times, fortunately, without human casualties.
The height of this mountain is difficult to pinpoint, as its top point changes due to frequent eruptions. They happen, as a rule, in a few months. Etna occupies a huge area (1250 sq. Km). After lateral eruptions, Etna appeared 400 craters. On average, a volcano throws lava every three to four months. It is potentially dangerous in case of a powerful eruption. Thanks to the latest scientific developments, scientists hope in time to determine the increased activity of the mountain.
Sakurajima (Japan)
Experts consider Earth volcanoes to be active if they have been active for the past 3000 years. This Japanese volcano has been active continuously since 1955. It belongs to the first category. In other words, an eruption can begin at any time. Not very strong lava emission was recorded in February 2009. The residents of Kagoshima are almost always accompanied by anxiety. The teachings, equipped shelters firmly entered their everyday life.
Researchers installed webcams over the crater, so Sakurajima is under constant surveillance. I must say that the volcanoes on the islands can change the terrain. This happened in Japan, when in 1924 the strongest eruption of Sakurajima occurred. Powerful tremors warned the city of danger, most residents managed to leave their homes and evacuate.
After this, the volcano bearing the name Sakuradzima (which means “Sakura island”) can no longer be called an island. A huge amount of lava formed the isthmus, which connected the mountain with the island of Kyushu. And another year after the eruption, lava slowly flowed out of the crater. The bottom of the bay rose in the center of the calamus of Aira, located eight kilometers from Sakurajima.
Aso (Japan)
This popular tourist destination for extreme people is actually a dangerous volcano, which in 2011 threw out a large amount of lava and ash, which covered the territory of 100 kilometers. Since then, more than 2500 powerful tremors have been registered. This suggests that at any moment he can destroy the nearby village.
Vesuvius (Italy)
Wherever volcanoes are located - on the mainland or on the islands, they are equally dangerous. Vesuvius is very powerful, and therefore very dangerous. He is one of the three active volcanoes in Italy. Scientists have information about 80 major eruptions of this mountain. The worst thing happened in the year 79. Then the cities of Pompey, 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) by their school curriculum, we learn about others from newspapers, and only specialists are aware of the third. Colima is perhaps the most dangerous and powerful in the world. The last time he erupted in June 2005. Then the column of ash ejected from the crater rose to a huge height (more than 5 km). Local authorities had to evacuate residents of nearby villages.
This fire-breathing mountain consists of 2 peaks of conical shape. 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 Volcano de Fuego de Colima - "Fiery Volcano." Its height is 3,846 m. Locals nicknamed it Mexican Vesuvius.
Since 1576, he erupted more than 40 times. And today it is extremely dangerous not only for residents of nearby cities, but also for all of Mexico.
Galeras (Colombia)
Often the name of the volcanoes is directly related to the area on which the mountain is located. But the name Galeras has nothing to do with the town of Pasto, located nearby.
This 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 Columbia (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 a severe eruption. In the region declared emergency of the highest degree. More than 400 police officers were sent to the district to help the townspeople.
Scientists say that over the past 7 thousand years, the volcano has woken up at least 6 times. Moreover, all the eruptions were very powerful. When conducting research in 1993, six geologists were killed in the crater. At this time, another eruption began. In 2006, residents of surrounding villages were evacuated due to the threat of a strong lava surge.
Volcano Elbrus
On the border of Karachay-Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria is the highest point in Europe and, of course, Russia - Elbrus. With the northern part of the Greater Caucasus it is connected by the Side Ridge. The Elbrus volcano consists of two peaks that have approximately the same height. Its eastern part reaches 5621 m, and the western - 5642 m.
This is a cone-shaped stratovolcano. Its layers are formed by tuff, lava, and ash flows. The last eruptions of Elbrus were recorded 2500 years ago. Over time, it took its current form. Few volcanoes on Earth can boast such a beautiful, "classic" conical shape. As a rule, craters quickly collapse under the influence of erosion. The beauty of Elbrus is protected by his mantle from ice and snow. She does not even descend in the summer, for which the volcano was called the Little Antarctica.
Despite the fact that he reminded of himself for a long time, experts who monitor his current state and degree of activity do not consider him extinct. They call the mountain "sleeping." The volcano is active (fortunately, not yet destructive). Hot masses are still stored in its bowels. They "heat up" well-known sources. Their temperature reaches +52 ° and +60 º. Sulfuric gases leak through the cracks to the surface .
Today Elbrus is a unique natural zone, 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 largest volcano in the country, located 50 kilometers from the capital - Mexico City. The twenty-millionth city is always prepared for emergency evacuation. In addition, two more large cities are located here - Tlascala de Hicotencatl and Puebla. This troubled volcano also makes their residents nervous. Emissions of sulfur, gas, stones and dust occur almost every month. Only in the last decade the volcano erupted three times.
Mauna Loa Volcano (USA, Hawaii)
This is the largest “fiery mountain” of the Earth in volume. Together with the underwater part, it is 80,000 cubic meters. Km! The southeast slope and peak are part of the Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park.
On Mauna Loa there is a volcanological station. Research and ongoing observation has been carried out since 1912. There are also solar and atmospheric observatories.
The last eruption was recorded 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. From this, the mountain does not become less dangerous. Its activities are monitored by specialists and timely report on increased activity.
Next on our list is the active Nyiragongo volcano, whose height is 3469 meters. 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 Shaher and Barat. It is surrounded by hundreds of smoldering small volcanic cones. 40% of all observed eruptions on the continent occur here.
Volcano 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 4,392 meters. Its top is composed of two volcanic craters.
We introduced you to the most famous volcanoes. Their list, of course, is not complete, because, according to scientists, there are more than 600 active mountains only. In addition, every year 1-2 new volcanoes appear on Earth.