Volcanoes: characteristics and types. Volcanoes - how are they formed, why do they erupt and how are they dangerous and useful? Inactive volcanoes

Ecology

In 2018, scientists dared to predict the intensification of volcanic activity on the planet, frightening the inhabitants disastrous consequences in the form of global climate change, destruction of cities and loss of life.

Such gloomy forecasts of specialists are not unfounded: for many years now there has been an increasing volcanic activity along the area of ​​the Pacific Volcanic Ring of Fire, where more than three hundred active volcanoes are located.

Alarming behavior and a couple of other active volcanoes that have managed over the past ten to twenty years spoil the lives of a significant number of people on our planet. But there are about nine hundred active volcanoes on land alone.

Volcanoes are an integral part of the Earth and remind us of how destructive nature's fury can be. We bring to your attention a list of the ten most dangerous active volcanoes on our planet today.

Active volcanoes

Mauna Loa volcano, Hawaii

While the whole world gazes at how the Kilauea volcano covers the most large island Hawaii, not so far away from him peacefully slumbers megavolcano mauna loa, whose height is 4169 meters (that is, almost three thousand meters higher than Kilauea!).

Mauna Loa, whose name translates as " long mountain"is the largest active volcano on planet Earth. this moment it is a place of pilgrimage for tourists and a platform for the work of representatives of the scientific world.

The formation of this volcano began about 700,000 years ago, while its activity continues to this day... The most recent eruption of Mauna Loa occurred in 1984. The underwater part of this volcano is the largest on the planet and is 80 thousand cubic kilometers.

The volcano expels intense lava flows that threaten not only the huge ecosystem that has settled on its slopes, but also the nearest human settlements. Hawaiians in their mythology have allocated Mauna Loa the place of one of the sisters Pele - the goddess of fire, volcanoes and strong winds.

Eyjafjallajökull volcano, Iceland

For some time now Eyjafjallajökull has become one of the most famous volcanoes on our planet. And this despite the fact that very few can pronounce its name without hesitation... This volcano is 1,666 meters high (a mysterious combination of three sixes, isn't it?) Located in the south of Iceland.

It is part of several small glaciers of this island nation... The volcano's crater itself, with a diameter of three to four kilometers, was also covered with glaciers. However, the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull, which began on March 20, 2010, melted its ice.

Despite the fact that Eyjafjallajökull is not the largest volcano in Iceland, its eruption caused trouble throughout Europe. The height reached by volcanic ash was 13 kilometers. And its significant spread led to the suspension of flights over the entire Northern Europe.

Almost a month later, volcanic ash from the Eyjafjallajökull volcano was recorded over a huge part of the territory. Russian Federation... As a result of the last eruption, a new crack was formed on the volcano in the direction from north to south, the length of which was two kilometers.

Mount Vesuvius, Italy

Speaking about the most dangerous active volcanoes on the planet, it would be an unforgivable frivolity not to mention the Italian Vesuvius. This volcano the last eruption of which was recorded in 1944, is the most famous in the world because of the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum that were erased from the face of the Earth in 79 AD.

The location of this volcano, the only one active on the territory of continental Europe, makes it one of the most dangerous in the world. The reason is the proximity of densely populated regions. Suffice it to say that just fifteen kilometers from Vesuvius is Naples, the agglomeration of which exceeds three million people.

Vesuvius is not distinguished by its outstanding height - it is only 1281 meters above sea level. Its quite frequent activity (one eruption about once every twenty years) due to the relative youth of the volcano - it was formed about 25,000 years ago.

We most often recall the tragedy of Pompeii, where about two thousand people were buried during the eruption. At the same time, we forget that during the eruption on July 26, 1805 (far from the strongest eruption of this volcano!), Vesuvius took the lives of 26 thousand people!

Active volcanoes

Nyiragongo volcano, Congo

If we talk about activity, then the volcano Nyiragongo, whose height is 3469 meters, can rightfully be considered one of the most active. It is known that 34 eruptions have been recorded since 1882... Some of these eruptions continued for months and even years.

In fact, the "conscience" of Nyiragongo and his neighbor Nyamlagir accounts for forty percent of all eruptions that continue to this day on the African continent. If we talk about the most destructive eruptions of Nyiragongo, the last one occurred on January 10, 1977.

As a result of that cataclysm, about two thousand people died, and the tragedy occurred literally within the first half hour from the moment the eruption began. Deadliest eruption of Nyiragongo this century happened in 2002, when 45 people perished under lava flows.

Nyiragongo is also famous for having the most big lake molten lava, with a diameter of two kilometers. The lava temperature is 1200 degrees Celsius. The lake of fire itself, which can be seen even from space, resembles in size a red cyclopean eye, or, if you prefer, the eye of Sauron.

Taal volcano, Philippines

Taal Volcano, whose height is only some 311 meters, is located on the island of Luzon, just 50 kilometers away from more than one and a half million city of Manila, the capital of the Philippines. In fact, it is one of the smallest active volcanoes on our planet.

Despite its size, Taal sent many thousands of people to the next world. It is known that this volcano has erupted at least thirty times since 1572. It was thanks to its activity that the third largest lake in the Philippines was formed, the maximum depth of which is 172 meters. It is called the same - Taal.

One of the most powerful eruptions of Taal, as a result of which within a few minutes all living things perished at a distance of up to ten kilometers from the volcano, occurred on January 30, 1911. Then masses of superheated steam and hot ash killed 1335 people. It is noteworthy that the volcano did not throw out lava.

A huge ash cloud, according to sources of those years, was visible at a distance of more than four hundred kilometers. The last powerful eruption of Taal was also recorded in the last century. It happened in 1965, taking the lives of more than two hundred people.

Volcano Merapi, Indonesia

Some volcanoes destroy settlements and villages, like Nyamlagira and Taal. Others, like Vesuvius, whole cities. It is known about the Merapi volcano that he destroyed the whole Javanese-Indian kingdom, which was located on the territory of modern Indonesia. It happened in the 1006th year.

The highest point of Merapi is 2968 meters. "Mountain of Fire" (and this is how the name of this volcano is translated) does not skimp on deadly eruptions. And this is not surprising, since Merapi is the youngest volcano from the group of its many "relatives" located in the south of Java.

In the first half of the last century, there were 13 eruptions of the "mountain of fire". It is known, for example, that 1,300 people died due to the activity of this volcano in 1930. And now in 1974 Merapi wipes two villages off the face of the earth, and after just a year - another village, causing huge damage to the infrastructure of the region. Then 29 people died.

The last powerful eruption of Merapi in 2010 forced more than 350,000 local residents to leave the nearby region. Some of them, however, dared to return, for which many of them paid with their lives - the volcano sent 353 people to the next world.

The most dangerous volcanoes

Volcano Galeras, Colombia

In Colombia, not far from the border with the Republic of Ecuador, there is the majestic volcano Galeras. The height of this giant is 4276 meters. The crater's depth (about 80 meters) and its diameter (320 meters) turn this volcano into a kind of cannon, which has fired more than once.

Volcano Galeras continues to operate, which can be seen from numerous small eruptions. There were not so many really strong eruptions on Galeras. According to scientists, over the past seven thousand years there have been about six large bursts of its activity.

Galeras is very popular place for tourists in South America who also come to admire the beauty of the mountain located at the foot of the mountain national reserve , the area of ​​which is several thousand hectares.

Galeras constantly keeps in suspense almost half a million people living near the volcano, which, according to experts, remains active for at least a million years. Because of small eruptions, people often die there, and because of the threat of large authorities, many thousands of residents are periodically evacuated.

Sakurajima volcano, Japan

The active Japanese volcano Sakurajima was once independent island... However, after the eruption of 1914, it became part of the Osumi Peninsula, connecting with it through solidified lava flows.

Sakurajima has been incessantly active since 1955, posing a serious threat to the city of Kagoshima, which has a population of over 600,000. However, this did not prevent (but rather helped) the residents of the city to benefit from such a dangerous neighborhood, making the volcano a tourist attraction.

There is a regular ferry to Mount Sakurajima, and from the city itself to the volcano, whose height is 1117 meters, a breathtakingly beautiful view opens up... Considering the volcanic continual small eruptions, it's no wonder residents are used to it. For example, in 2014 alone, there were 471 eruptions!

Active and extinct volcanoes have always attracted people. People settled on the volcanic slopes to practice agriculture, because volcanic soil is very fertile.

Today, the majestic geological formations attract crowds of tourists who want to admire their beauty.

Those thirsty for extreme are not stopped even by the most dangerous natural objects- active volcanoes.

How many volcanoes are on Earth is not known for certain, despite the fact that volcanologists have been trying to establish their exact number since the advent of such a science as volcanology - too little has been studied so far the bottom of the World Ocean, where many more unidentified ones may be hiding. The Smithsonian Institute has cataloged 1532 volcanoes. These data are considered the most complete to date.

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List of active volcanoes in the world

Today we take a look at where there are active volcanoes in the world. Most of them are located along the coast. This area is called the Pacific Ring of Fire. Second to volcanic activity zone - Mediterranean belt.

There are about 900 active volcanoes on land.

About 60 geological formations of the earth explode every year. Consider the most dangerous of the active, as well as some of the impressive, but sleeping.

Merapi, Indonesia

Merapi is the most impressive, having received a nickname, which in Russian would sound like "Mountain of Fire". It is located on about. Java, reaches a height of 2914 m. Every 7 years, large-scale emissions are carried out, twice a year - small ones. Smoke is constantly coming out of its crater. One of the most significant tragedies associated with activity took place in 1006. Then a fierce element destroyed the Javanese-Indian state of Mataram.

In 1673, another powerful eruption broke out, as a result of which the towns and villages located at the foot were destroyed. In 1930, volcanic outbursts killed 1,300 people.

The last release of Merapi occurred in 2010, when 350 thousand people had to be evacuated. Some of them decided to return and died in the lava flow. Then 353 people were injured.

In that the last disaster The Fiery Mountain threw out a mixture of ash and gas at a speed of 100 km / h, while the temperature reached 1000 ° C.

Sakurajima, Japan

Sakurajima is located on about. Kyushu. Once the mountain stood separately, but in one of the eruptions with the help of lava it joined the Osumi Peninsula. It rises to a height of 1117 m. It consists of three peaks, the highest of which is the northern one.

Sakurajima's activity increases every year, and until 1946 there were only 6 emissions. Since 1955, it has been erupting constantly.

Note: one of the largest catastrophes occurred in 1914, when 35 people were killed. In 2013, 1,097 emissions of insignificant force were recorded, and in 2014 - 471.

Aso, Japan

Aso is another volcanic giant about. Kyushu. Its height is 1592 m. It is a caldera, in the middle of which there are 17 cones. The most active of them is Nakadake.

V last time Aso spewed lava in 2011. Since then, about 2500 aftershocks have occurred here. In 2016, the ejection process was accompanied by an earthquake.

It is worth noting: despite the danger associated with the extreme activity of Aso, about 50 thousand people live in the caldera, and the crater itself has become a popular site active tourism... In winter, skiing is available on the slopes of Aso.

Nyiragongo, Republic of the Congo

Nyiragongo refers to mountain system Virunga is the most active in Africa. The height is 3470 m. In its crater there is a huge seething lava lake, the largest in the world. During an eruption, lava flows out almost completely, destroying everything around in a matter of hours. After that, it fills the crater again. Due to the military situation in the Republic of the Congo, the crater has not yet been adequately explored.

Since the end of the 19th century alone, 34 eruptions of the formidable Nyiragongo have been recorded. Its lava is very liquid because it does not contain enough silicates. For this reason, it spreads rapidly, reaching a speed of 100 km / h. This feature makes Nyiragongo one of the most dangerous on the planet. In 1977, a huge mass of lava hit a nearby town. The reason was the rupture of the crater wall. The catastrophe claimed the lives of several hundred people.

In 2002, another large-scale eruption occurred, then 400 thousand people were evacuated, 147 of whom died. Despite the fact that this Nyiragongo is considered the most dangerous in the world, about half a million people live in the nearby settlements.

Galeras, Colombia

It rises above the Colombian town of Pasto, with about 500 thousand inhabitants. The height of Galeras reaches 4276 m. In recent years, Galeras has been constantly active, throwing out volcanic ash.

One of the largest eruptions was recorded in 1993. The disaster led to the death of 6 volcanologists and 3 tourists in the crater. The catastrophe came unexpectedly, after a long lull.

One of the recent eruptions occurred in August 2010. Colombian authorities periodically evacuate local residents as Galeras is active.

Colima, Mexico

Spread Colima on the coast The Pacific... Consists of 2 peaks, one of which is extinct. In 2016, Colima revived, releasing a column of ash.

The last time he reminded of himself was on January 19, 2017. At the time of the catastrophe, a cloud of ash and smoke rose 2 km.

Vesuvius, Italy

Vesuvius has 3 cones. Strong eruptions alternate with periods of low-intensity activity. Throws out a huge amount of ash and gases. In 79, Vesuvius shook all of Italy, destroying the cities of Pompey and Stabia. They were covered with a thick layer of ash, reaching up to 8 m. The city of Herculaneum was flooded with mud streams, since the eruption was accompanied by mud rains.

In 1631, an eruption was noted, which claimed the lives of 4,000 people. It turned out to be weaker than in 79, but the slopes of Vesuvius have since inhabited large quantity man, which led to such victims. The volcano after this event became lower by 168 m. The eruption of 1805 destroyed almost all of Naples and claimed the lives of 26 thousand people.

Vesuvius last erupted in lava flows in 1944, razing the cities of San Sebastiano and Massa. The number of victims was 27 people. After that, the volcano died down. A volcanological observatory was built here to track his activities.

Etna, Italy

Etna is the highest volcano in Europe. It is located in the northern hemisphere in the east. Its height changes after each eruption, now it is equal to 3429 m above sea level.

Etna has, according to various estimates, 200-400 side craters. Every 3 months, one of them erupts. Quite often, this leads to the destruction of villages that are spread out nearby.

Despite the dangers, the Sicilians densely inhabit the slopes of Etna. They even created a national park here.

Popocatepetl, Mexico

The second highest peak in Mexico, its name means "smoking hill". It is located 70 km from Mexico City. The height of the mountain is 5500 meters.

Popocatepetl has erupted over 15 times in 500 years, most recently in 2015.

Klyuchevskaya Sopka, Russia

This is the most high peak... Its height ranges from 4750-4850 m above sea level. The slopes are covered with side craters, of which there are more than 80.

Klyuchevskaya Sopka reminds of itself every 3 years, each of its activities lasts several months and is sometimes accompanied by ash falls. The most active year was 2016, when the volcano exploded 55 times.

The most destructive was the catastrophe of 1938, when the activity of Klyuchevskaya Sopka lasted 13 months.

Mauna Loa, Hawaii, USA

Mauna Loa can be found in the central part of the island of Hawaii. It rises 4169 m above sea level. Mauna Loa belongs to the Hawaiian type.

Its characteristic feature is the outpouring of lava, passing without explosions and ash emissions. Lava erupts through a central vent, cracks and fractures.

Cotopaxi, Ecuador

Cotopaxi belongs to the Andes mountain range. It is the second highest peak, rising to 5911 m.

The first eruption was recorded in 1534. The eruption had the most devastating consequences in 1768. Then the release of lava and sulfur was accompanied by an earthquake. The catastrophe destroyed the city of Latacunga and the surrounding area. The eruption was so strong that traces of it were found in the Amazon basin.

Iceland

There are about three dozen volcanoes on the island. Among them there are already extinct ones, but there are also active ones.

This island is the only one in the world with so many geological formations. Icelandic territory is a real volcanic plateau.

Extinct and dormant volcanoes

Volcanoes that have lost activity are extinct and dormant. It is safe to visit them, which is why these sites are more popular with travelers. On the map, such inoperative geological formations are indicated by special icons: black asterisks, in contrast to active ones, marked with red asterisks. Even for the locations of these fiery mountains, there are letter designations "vlk" or "vk". For mud volcanoes, which send a message about their activity in the form of streams of not magma, but mud - "mud". Examples of dormant and extinct volcanoes - see below.

What is the difference between an extinct and a dormant volcano? The extinct have not been active for at least 1 million years. Presumably, their magma has already cooled down and will not be able to explode. True, volcanologists do not exclude that a new volcano may form in their place.

Aconcagua, Argentina

Aconcagua is the highest peak in the Andes. It rises to 6960.8 m. A mountain was formed at the junction of the Nazca and South American lithospheric plates. Today the slopes of the mountain are covered with glaciers.

Aconcagua is of interest to climbers as the highest peak in South America, as well as the highest extinct volcano.

Kilimanjaro, Africa

If someone is asked to name the most high mountain Africa, he will call - the most famous mountain on the African mainland. Consists of 3 peaks, the highest of them is Kibo (5,891.8 m).

Kilimanjaro is considered asleep, now only gases and sulfur are escaping from its crater. It is expected to be active when the mountain collapses, leading to a massive eruption. The most formidable scientists consider the peak of Kibo.

Yellowstone, USA

Yellowstone is located in the national park of the same name. The summit belongs to the supervolcanoes, of which there are 20 on Earth. Yellowstone is extremely dangerous, as it erupts with incredible force, and can affect the climate of the planet.

Yellowstone has erupted three times. The last eruption took place 640 thousand years ago, at the same time the caldera depression was formed.

At this volcano, lava accumulates in a special reservoir, where it melts the surrounding rocks, becoming thicker. This reservoir is very close to the surface, which worries volcanologists.

The eruption is stopped by streams of water that cool the magma bubble and burst outward in the form of geysers. Since there is still a lot of energy left inside the bubble, it is expected to burst out in the near future.

The US authorities are taking all measures to prevent the eruption of Yellowstone, because it can kill 87 thousand people. One of the projects is the installation of a geothermal station, but this will require drilling wells that can provoke a disaster not only in the country, but throughout the planet.

Elbrus, Russia

The Caucasian peak is attractive for climbers today. Its height is 5621 m. It is a dormant formation in which volcanic processes take place. The last eruption took place supposedly 1.7 thousand years ago, 500 years ago, he released a column of ash.

The activity of Elbrus is evidenced by the geothermal springs located nearby. Scientists disagree on when to expect the next eruption, but it is known for sure that it will cause the mudflow to converge.

Big and Small Ararat, Turkey

Big Ararat (5165 m) is located on Armenian highlands, 11 km away is Small Ararat (3927 m).

The eruptions of Big Ararat have always been accompanied by destruction. The last tragedy broke out in 1840 and was accompanied by a strong earthquake. Then 10,000 people died.

Kazbek, Georgia

Kazbek is located in Georgia. Locals they call it Mkinvartsveri, which translates as "ice mountain". The height of the giant is 5033.8 m.

Kazbek is not active today, but he belongs to the potentially dangerous. It last erupted in 650 BC.

The mountain has very steep slopes, mudslides are possible.

Conclusion

Volcanoes are among the most attractive tourist sites... Today they are no longer so dangerous, since their activity can be predicted by volcanologists. Research is being conducted on the use of the energy of geological formations for the benefit of mankind.

In an effort to go to the top of a volcano, especially an active one, it is necessary to collect information about its condition, listen to the forecasts of seismologists, since tragic cases among tourists often occur.

We bring to your attention interesting video about active volcanoes in the world:

Volcanoes on Earth are divided into two types:

• Active(active) - erupted in a historical period of time or during the Holocene (in the last 10 thousand years). Some active volcanoes can be considered sleeping, but eruptions are still possible on them.
• Inactive(extinct) - ancient volcanoes that have lost their activity.

There are about 900 active volcanoes on land (see the list of the largest volcanoes below), in the seas and oceans their number is being specified.

The period of a volcanic eruption can last from several days to several million years.

On other planets

Types of volcanic structures

V general view volcanoes are subdivided into linear and central, however, this division is arbitrary, since most volcanoes are confined to linear tectonic faults ( faults) in the earth's crust.

The shapes of central volcanoes depend on the composition and viscosity of the magma. Hot and free-flowing basaltic magmas create vast and flat panel board volcanoes (Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea, Kilauea). If a volcano periodically erupts either lava or pyroclastic material, a cone-shaped layered structure, a stratovolcano, appears. The slopes of such a volcano are usually covered with deep radial ravines - barrancos. Volcanoes of the central type can be purely lava, or formed only by volcanic products - volcanic slags, tuffs, etc. formations, or be mixed - stratovolcanoes.

Distinguish also monogenic and polygenic volcanoes. The first arose as a result of a single eruption, the second - multiple eruptions. Viscous, acidic in composition, low-temperature magma, squeezing out from the vent, forms extrusive domes (Montagne-Pele needle, 1902).

• Shield volcanoes... Formed as a result of multiple ejections of liquid lava. This form is characteristic of volcanoes erupting low-viscosity basaltic lava: it flows for a long time both from the central vent and from the side craters of the volcano. The lava spreads evenly over many kilometers; a wide “shield” with gentle edges is gradually formed from these layers. An example is the Mauna Loa volcano in Hawaii, where lava flows directly into the ocean; its height from the foot on the ocean floor is about ten kilometers (while the underwater base of the volcano is 120 km long and 50 km wide).
• Slag cones... During the eruption of such volcanoes, large fragments of porous slag are piled up around the crater in layers in the form of a cone, and small fragments form sloping slopes at the foot; with each eruption, the volcano becomes higher and higher. It is the most common type of volcano on land. They are no more than a few hundred meters high. Cinder cones are often formed as side cones of a large volcano, or as separate centers of eruptive activity during fissure eruptions. For example, several groups of cinder cones appeared during the last eruptions of the Plosky Tolbachik volcano in Kamchatka in 1975-76 and in 2012-2013.
• Stratovolcanoes, or "layered volcanoes". Periodically they erupt lava (viscous and thick, quickly solidifying) and pyroclastic matter - a mixture of hot gas, ash and hot stones; as a result, deposits on their cone (sharp, with concave slopes) alternate. The lava of such volcanoes also flows from cracks, solidifying on the slopes in the form of ribbed corridors that serve as a support for the volcano. Examples - Etna, Vesuvius, Fujiyama.
• Dome volcanoes... Formed when viscous granite magma, rising from the bowels of the volcano, cannot drain along the slopes and solidifies at the top, forming a dome. It clogs its mouth, like a cork, which is eventually knocked out by the gases accumulated under the dome. Such a dome is now being formed over the crater of Mount St. Helens in the northwestern United States, formed during the 1980 eruption.
• Complex (mixed, composite) volcanoes.

Baransky volcano. Iturup Island.

Volcanic eruption

Hawaiian type

Strombolian type

Volcanic eruptions are geological emergencies that often lead to natural disasters. The eruption process can last from several hours to many years.

An eruption is understood as the process of inflow from the depths to the surface of a significant amount of incandescent and hot volcanic products in a gaseous, liquid and solid state. During eruptions, volcanic edifices are formed - a characteristic form of upland, confined to channels and cracks, through which the products of the eruption come to the surface from magma chambers. Usually they have the shape of a cone with a depression - a crater at the top. In the event of its subsidence and collapse, a caldera is formed - an extensive circus-shaped basin with steep walls and a relatively flat bottom.

The generally accepted assessment of the strength of an eruption, or its explosiveness, without taking into account the individual characteristics of the volcano, is made according to the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) scale. It was proposed in 1982 by American scientists C.A. Newhall and S.Self, allowing to give a general assessment of the eruption on the impact on the earth's atmosphere. An indicator of the strength of a volcanic eruption, regardless of its volume and location, on the VEI scale is the volume of erupted products - tephra and the height of the column of ash - the eruptive column.

Among the various classifications stand out common types eruptions:

• Hawaiian type- Ejections of liquid basaltic lava, lava lakes are often formed, lava flow can spread over long distances.
• Strombolic type- lava is thicker and is thrown out of the vent by frequent explosions. The formation of cones from ash, volcanic bombs and lapilli is characteristic.
• Plinian type- powerful rare explosions capable of throwing tephra up to several tens of kilometers.
• Peleus type- eruptions, the hallmark of which is the formation of extrusive domes and pyroclastic flows ("scorching clouds").
• Gas (freotic) type- eruptions, in which only volcanic gases reach the crater and solid rocks are ejected. Magma is not observed.
• Underwater type- eruptions occurring under water. As a rule, they are accompanied by emissions of pumice.

Postvolcanic phenomena

After eruptions, when the activity of the volcano either ceases forever, or it “dorms” for thousands of years, the processes associated with the cooling of the magma chamber are preserved on the volcano itself and its surroundings. post-volcanic... These include:

During eruptions, a volcanic structure sometimes collapses with the formation of a caldera - a large depression up to 16 km in diameter and up to 1000 m deep. As the magma rises, the external pressure weakens, gases and liquid products associated with it break out to the surface, and a volcano erupts. If it is not magma that is brought to the surface, but the ancients rocks, and among the gases, water vapor prevails, formed when groundwater is heated, then such an eruption is called phreatic.

Eiffel volcanic domes

Lava that has risen to the earth's surface does not always come out on this surface. It only raises layers of sedimentary rocks and solidifies in the form of a compact body (laccolith), forming a kind of system of low mountains. In Germany, such systems include the Rhön and Eifel regions. On the latter, another post-volcanic phenomenon is observed in the form of lakes filling the craters of former volcanoes that failed to form a characteristic volcanic cone (the so-called maars).

Geysers are found in areas with volcanic activity, where hot rocks are located close to the earth's surface. In such places, underground waters are heated to the boiling point, and a fountain of hot water and steam is periodically thrown into the air. In New Zealand and Iceland, energy from geysers and hot springs is used to generate electricity. One of the most famous geysers in the world is the Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park (USA), which shoots a stream of water and steam every 70 minutes to a height of 45 m.

Mud volcanoes- small volcanoes through which not magma comes to the surface, but liquid mud and gases from the earth's crust. Mud volcanoes are much smaller in size than ordinary ones. Mud tends to come to the surface cold, but the gases emitted by mud volcanoes often contain methane and can ignite during an eruption, creating a picture that looks like a miniature eruption of an ordinary volcano.

Heat sources

One of the unsolved problems of manifestation of volcanic activity is the determination of the heat source required for local melting of the basalt layer or mantle. Such melting should be narrowly localized, since the passage of seismic waves indicates that the crust and upper mantle are usually in a solid state. Moreover, the thermal energy must be sufficient to melt huge volumes of solid material. For example, in the USA in the Columbia River Basin (states of Washington and Oregon) the volume of basalts is more than 820 thousand km³; similar large basalt strata are found in Argentina (Patagonia), India (Deccan plateau) and South Africa (Big Karoo Upland). There are currently three hypotheses. Some geologists believe that melting is due to local high concentrations of radioactive elements, but such concentrations in nature seem unlikely; others suggest that tectonic faults in the form of shears and faults are accompanied by the release of thermal energy. There is another point of view, according to which the upper mantle is in a solid state under high pressure conditions, and when the pressure drops due to cracking, a so-called phase transition occurs - the solid rocks of the mountain mantle melt and liquid lava flows out of the cracks onto the Earth's surface.

Extraterrestrial volcanoes

Volcanoes are found not only on Earth, but also on other planets and their satellites. The first highest mountain in the solar system is the Martian volcano Olympus, 21.2 km high.

On some satellites of the planets (Enceladus and Triton), in conditions of low temperatures, the erupting "magma" does not consist of molten rock, but of water and light substances. This type of eruption cannot be attributed to ordinary volcanism, therefore this phenomenon is called cryovolcanism.

Famous eruptions

• The eruption of the Krakatoa volcano in Indonesia in 1883 caused the loudest rumble ever heard in history; the sound was heard at a distance of more than 4800 km from the volcano. Atmospheric shockwaves circled the Earth seven times and were still visible for 5 days. The eruption killed more than 36,000 people, destroyed 165 villages and damaged 132 more (mainly through the tsunami that followed the eruption). The volcanic eruptions after 1927 formed a new volcanic island called Anak-Krakatau.
• The Kilauea volcano on the island of Hawaii is the most active volcano at the present time. The last eruption has been going on since 1983, and the lava channels reach the ocean.
• In 2010, the eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano caused the cancellation of more than 60,000 flights across Europe.

Recent eruptions

Scientists have observed eruptions at 560 volcanoes. The last largest ones are presented in the list:

The largest volcanoes on Earth

The largest areas of volcanic activity are South America, Central America, Java, Melanesia, the Japanese Islands, the Kuril Islands, Kamchatka, the northwestern United States, Alaska, Hawaiian Islands, Aleutian Islands, Iceland, etc.

The list of the largest eruptions in the history of the Earth is constantly growing as the question is researched.

In culture

Bryullov K.P. The last day of Pompeii. 1830-1833

• Karl Bryullov's painting "The Last Day of Pompeii", Russian Museum, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation;
• Movies "Volcano", "Dante's Peak" and a scene from the movie "".
• The Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland, during its eruption, became the hero of a huge number of humorous programs, TV news plots, reports and folk art discussing events in the world.

Undoubtedly, active volcanoes in the world are one of the most fascinating and beautiful and at the same time frightening natural phenomena. These geological formations played a key role in the formation of the Earth. Thousands of years ago there were a huge number of them all over the 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 see where the most famous active volcanoes are located.

Llullaillaco

A typical stratovolcano (has a layered, conical shape) 6739 m high. It is located on the border of Chile and Argentina.

Such a complex name can be interpreted in different ways:

• “Water that cannot be found despite a long search”;
• "Soft mass that becomes hard."

On the side of the Chilean state at the foot of the volcano is National park with the same name - Llullaillaco, therefore the surroundings of the mountain are very picturesque. During the ascent to the summit, tourists meet donkeys, many species of birds and guanacos that live in natural conditions.

There are two routes to climb to the crater:

• north - duration 4.6 km, the road is suitable for driving;
• southern - duration 5 km.

If you intend to hike, 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 Inca depository was discovered on the mountain, and in 1999, mummies of a girl and a boy were found near the crater. According to scientists, they became ritual victims.

The strongest eruptions were recorded three times - in 1854 and 1866. The last eruption of an active volcano happened in 1877.

San Pedro

The 6145 meter tall giant is located in the Andes, in northern Chile near Bolivia in the Western Cordillera. The peak of the volcano rises above the longest body of water in Chile - Loa.

San Pedro is one of the tallest active volcanoes. For the first time it was possible to climb to the crater in 1903. Today it is a unique attraction in Chile, which attracts thousands of tourists from different parts of the world. In the XX century, the volcano reminded of itself 7 times, the last time in 1960. For more than half a century, San Pedro has been like a bubbling cauldron that could explode at any moment. At the foot there are signs that warn that climbing to the crater is possible only 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.
• Chileans tell many legends associated with the San Pedro volcano, since each eruption in the past was considered a heavenly sign and had a mystical meaning.
• For descendants of migrants from Spain and local indigenous people, 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 top is sometimes snowy. The mountain is located near the city of Arequipa, its height is 5822 meters. The volcano is notable for the fact that at its top there are two craters with diameters of almost 1 km and 550 m.

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

The first active action of the volcano was recorded during the migration of Europeans to Latin America... The strongest, destructive catastrophe occurred in 1438. In the XX century, the volcano several times showed varying degrees of activity:

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

Scientists from Peru made a conclusion a few years ago that the seismic activity of the volcano is gradually increasing. This leads to earthquakes, which are not uncommon in the area. Considering that El Misti is located near large settlement in Peru, this makes it a rather dangerous active volcano.

Popocatepetl

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

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

Popocatepetl is dangerous because many cities have been built around it:

• the capitals of the states of Puebla and Tlaxcal;
• Mexico City and Cholula.

According to scientists, the volcano has erupted more than three dozen times in 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 admire the scenery, listen to the legend and enjoy the greatness of the mountain.

Sangay volcano

Sangay is one of the ten active volcanoes, which are the most powerful in the world. The mountain is in South America, its height is 5230 meters. Translated, the name of the volcano means "fearsome" 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 especially 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 with comfort, by car, people overcome the final section of the way on mules. The journey takes several days. In general, the journey is assessed as quite difficult, so few decide to climb to the crater. Tourists who have conquered the mountain smell the persistent smell of sulfur and are surrounded by smoke. As a reward, an amazing landscape opens up from the height of the summit.

The volcano is surrounded by the Sangay National Park, which covers an area of ​​more than 500 hectares. In 1992, UNESCO listed the park as endangered sites. However, in 2005 the object was excluded from the list.

Interesting fact! The park area contains the three highest volcanoes in Ecuador - Sangay, Tungurahua and El Altar.

Klyuchevskaya Sopka

The volcano is the highest on the territory of the Eurasia 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 giant's height 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 declares itself regularly, approximately once every 3-5 years. The duration of each activity reaches several months. The first happened in 1737. During 2016, the volcano was active 55 times.

The most serious catastrophe was recorded in 1938, its duration was 13 months. As a result of the cataclysm, a crack 5 km long was formed. In 1945, the eruption was accompanied by severe rockfall. And in 1974, the active actions of Klyuchevskaya Sopka led to the explosion of the glacier.

During the 1984-1987 eruption, a new summit was formed, and ash emissions rose 15 km. In 2002, the volcano became more 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, for several weeks, another eruption took place, accompanied by earthquakes, lava flows and ash ejections to a height of 11 km.

Mauna loa

The eruption of this huge volcano can be watched from anywhere in Hawaii. Mauna Loa is located in an archipelago formed by volcanic activity. Its height is 4169 meters. Feature - the crater is not round, so the distance from one edge to the other varies within 3-5 km. The inhabitants of the island call the mountain Long.

On a note! Many guides on the island lead 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 check which volcano you want to see.

Age Mauna Loa 700 thousand years, of which 300 thousand he was under water. The active actions of the volcano began to be recorded only in the first half of the 19th century. During this time, he reminded of 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 resembled the plot of the legendary Soviet film "The Crew". The last activity was recorded in 1984, for 3 weeks lava was poured out of the crater. In 2013, there were several earthquakes, which indicate that the volcano may soon show what it is capable of again.

We can say that scientists are most interested in Mauna Loa. According to seismologists, the volcano (one of the few in the world) will constantly 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 with tropical forests, there is no vegetation at the top, there is a small amount of snow.

In the territory West Africa it is the most active volcano of all active on the mainland. Over the past century, the giant showed himself 8 times. Each eruption resembles an explosion. The first records of the disaster date back to the 5th century BC. In 1922, volcanic lava reached the coast Atlantic Ocean... The last eruption took place in 2000.

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

Kerinci

Highest volcano in Indonesia (its height reaches 3 km 800 meters) and the highest point of Sumatra. Located in the central part of the island, south of the city of Padang. Not far from the volcano is the 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. Violent 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 threw out a column of ash 800 meters high. Residents of nearby settlements hastily collected their belongings and evacuated. Ashes stained the sky gray, and the air smelled of sulfur. It took only 30 minutes, and several villages were covered with a thick layer of ash. Fears were caused by tea plantations, which are located near the volcano and also suffered as a result of the disaster. Fortunately, a heavy rain fell after the event, and the consequences of the eruption were washed away.

It is interesting! The ascent to the crater takes 2 to 3 days. The route leads 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, setting off on their own. It is best to start your ascent 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 subject of research by seismologists. The height of the mountain is 3 km 794 m, and the size of the crater is slightly more than 800 m.

The volcano has been active since the end of the last century, then a station was opened in the state of New Mexico, its employees are monitoring its activities. A unique phenomenon of 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 emitted 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, lava is thick, solidifies quickly and does not have time to spread over large areas.

The main hazard is ash, which makes air travel difficult as visibility is severely reduced. The mud stream is also dangerous, since it moves at high speed, and it is almost impossible to escape from it.

Erebus is an amazing natural creation - formidable, magical and enchanting. The lake in the crater attracts with its special mystery.

Etna

Located in Sicily, in the Mediterranean Sea. With a height of 3329 meters, it cannot be attributed to the highest active volcanoes in the world, but it can confidently be included in the most active. After each eruption, the height increases slightly. In Europe it is largest volcano, its top is always decorated with a snow cap. The volcano has 4 central cones and about 400 lateral ones.

The first activity dates back to 1226 BC. The most terrible eruption happened in 44 BC, it was so strong that ash completely covered the sky over the capital of Italy, destroyed the harvest on the Mediterranean coast. Today Etna is no less dangerous than it was in prehistoric times. The last eruption occurred in the spring of 2008 and lasted for almost 420 days.

The volcano is attractive for its varied vegetation, where you can find palms, cacti, pines, agaves, spruces, biscuses, fruit trees and vineyards. Some plants are characteristic only for Etna - a stone tree, an Ethnian violet. Numerous myths and legends are associated with the volcano and the mountain.

Kilauea

In the territory Hawaiian Islands it is the most active volcano (though not the highest in the world). In Hawaiian, Kilauea means highly flowing. Eruptions have been occurring continuously since 1983.

The volcano is located on the territory National park volcanoes, 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 single drops of lava, and her hair is lava rivulets.

An amazing sight is the Puuoo lava lake, which is located in the crater. Molten rocks seethe restlessly, creating amazing streaks on the surface. To be near this natural phenomenon dangerous, because the 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 cave ceiling is decorated with stalactites. Tourists note that a walk in the cave resembles a flight to the moon.

In 1990, volcanic lava completely destroyed the village, the thickness of the lava layer was from 15 to 25 meters. For 25 years, the volcano destroyed almost 130 houses, destroyed 15 km of roadway, 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. The evacuation of nearby settlements was carried out, but not all residents showed a desire to leave their homes.

On which continent there are no active volcanoes

There are no extinct or active volcanoes in Australia. This is due to the fact that the mainland is located far from crustal faults and volcanic lava has no outlet to the surface.

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

Volcanic activity is a regular and harsh reminder that the planet we live on has an ever-changing geology. Located along the edges of tectonic plates, the volcano erupts through cracks, boiling magma, ash and gases from below the earth's surface to explode in response to changes in tectonic plate positions.

The catastrophic nature of erupting volcanoes in many ancient civilizations was attributed to the violent mood swings of the gods. We now have a more scientific understanding volcanic eruptions but it can still be unpredictable and dangerous. We present to your attention the ten active and most dangerous volcanoes the world.

10. Mauna Loa, Hawaii

This volcano in Hawaii has been active for 700,000 years. Fortunately, many of the eruptions are slow, but sometimes the lava flows become fast and pose a threat to nearby towns and villages. There is also the possibility of dangerous earthquakes.

9. Taal, Philippines

The volcano is located on Luzon Island in the center of Taal Lake. Its proximity to Manila makes it a constant threat to over 1.6 million residents. Since 1572, the volcano has erupted 33 times. Visitors are advised to view the volcano from afar, although many tourists do not follow this recommendation.

8. Ulawun, Papua New Guinea

Volcano Ulavun is one of the most active on the planet. It has had 22 major eruptions since the 1700s, and residents in the surrounding area report seeing minor eruptions on a regular basis. The structural integrity of Ulawun is questionable; if a collapse occurs, the eruption could destroy hundreds of square kilometers of land.

7. Nyiragongo, Democratic Republic of the Congo

This dramatic volcano has impressive lava lakes near its crater. These lakes come and go, sometimes with quite devastating consequences. In 1977, an eruption occurred in which lava reached a speed of 97 km / h and destroyed nearby villages, killing and injuring thousands of people. 147 people died in the 2002 eruption, while another 120,000 lost their homes.

6. Merapi, Indonesia

Volcano Merapi is considered the most active volcano in Indonesia, and it produced a record amount of lava. Measuring only the flow, Merapi is the most active volcano on the planet. It has been active for at least 10 thousand years. The 2010 eruption survey recorded 353 dead people, and more than 320 thousand people were left homeless.

5. Galeras, Colombia

This volcano is located near the Ecuadorian border. It erupts frequently and actively for an impressive long time. Scientists estimate that the volcano has erupted for one million years or more. The first recorded eruption was in 1580, and between 1978 and 1988, Galeras was temporarily inactive. Once active again, it behaves in a menacing manner, erupting almost every year since the turn of the millennium. The town of Pasto on the eastern slope of Galeras is home to 450,000 residents.

4. Sakurajima, Japan

On the list of active volcanoes, Sakurajima is known as the "Vesuvius of the East", referring to its high activity. It is separated from the Japanese mainland, but the lava flows from the 1914 eruptions actually created a bridge to the earth, connecting it to the rest of Japan. Sakurajima produces thousands of small eruptions every year. If a major eruption occurs, 700,000 residents in Kagoshima City will be in danger.

3. Popocatepetl, Mexico

Popocatepetl is located just 56 km from Mexico City and broke out recently, in 2000. Forty one thousand people would be in danger of losing their lives if they were not evacuated on time. Nine million people live in the blast radius. If a major eruption ever occurs, it will be a disaster. Therefore, Popocatepetl is one of the most dangerous volcanoes on the planet, and the most active.

2. Vesuvius, Italy

Vesuvius is one of the most famous volcanoes in the world. Anyone who has studied history in high school knows about the famous catastrophic eruption in 79 AD. e., which destroyed the cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii. Volcanic ash has preserved two sites, making them one of the most famous archaeological site on the ground. Vesuvius erupts cyclically, approximately every 20 years. The last recorded eruption dates from 1944, so the next eruption is just around the corner. Three million people are not only within the blast radius, but also close to the crater. This is another volcano that poses a serious threat to an incredible number of people.

1. Yellowstone Volcano, USA

Number one active volcano on our list is the Yellowstone Caldera. The active volcanic caldera in the National Park attracts about three million visitors a year. Its geysers and hot springs are wonderful, but they are also potentially deadly. Yellowstone is a supervolcano. Indeed, the famous major eruption of the supervolcano occurred at Yellowstone 640,000 years ago. If Yellowstone explodes, an estimated 87,000 people will be killed instantly. The entire western United States will be devastated, and the ash will affect the ecology and health of people across the country and around the world. The explosion will be a global catastrophe of unprecedented proportions, and there is no way to predict how far its consequences will spread.

We no longer associate volcanic explosions with the whims of angry gods, but we believe that it is necessary to treat them with respect, at least we should, to protect the people who live within the radius of possible action. The magnitude of damage from volcanoes can be enormous. The best geologists have come to understand volcanoes, and have determined that it is better to predict their explosions and protect large settlements.