How many volcanoes are there in the world. The strongest volcanic eruption. Types of volcanic eruptions
In the early stages of the Earth, volcanoes were probably located in many places on its surface, but then they began to appear along certain belts, huge faults of the Earth and in the oceans. Most of the volcanoes have not survived. Those volcanic mountains, which are now found on the surface of the planet, arose relatively recently.
Volcanic belts
Volcanoes are not randomly located on Earth, but are subject to certain patterns.
Modern volcanoes are concentrated on the Earth along certain zones (belts) characterized by high tectonic mobility. Destructive earthquakes usually occur in these belts; the heat flux from the bowels of the Earth here is several times higher than in quiet areas. There are three main zones for the location of volcanoes: areas where the continental crust borders on the oceanic crust; continental group, main system mountainous countries Europe and Asia, as well as Africa, the advantage within the deep faults; oceanic trenches, especially the Pacific Ocean.
There are thousands of them on the continents. How many on Earth active volcanoes, it is not known exactly, but the figure 500 reflects the most likely number of them. The largest on our planet is the Pacific Ring of Fire, where there are 526 volcanoes. Of these, 328 erupted in historical time. On our territory, the Pacific Ring of Fire includes volcanoes Kuril Islands(40) and the Kamchatka Peninsula (28). The most active in terms of frequency and strength of eruption are Klyuchevskoy, Narymsky, Shiveluch, Bezymyanny, Ksudach volcanoes.
The second major volcanic belt stretches across the Mediterranean, the Iranian plateau to the Sunda archipelago. Within its limits are volcanoes such as Vesuvius. (Italy), Etna (Sicily Peninsula), Santorin (Aegean Sea). The volcanoes of the Caucasus and Transcaucasia also fall into this belt. On the big Caucasian ridge rise two volcanoes Elbrus (5642 m) and two-peak Kazbek (5033 m). In Transcaucasia, on the border with Turkey, there is a volcano Ararat with a cone covered with a snow cap. A little to the east, in the Elbrus ridge, framing the Caspian Sea from the south, there is the beautiful Damavend volcano. There are many volcanoes (63, of which 37 are active) in the Sunda Archipelago (Indonesia).
The third major volcanic belt stretches along Atlantic Ocean. There are 69 volcanoes here, 39 of them erupted in historical time. The largest number of volcanoes (40) is on the island of Iceland, located along the axis of the underwater mid-ocean ridge, and 27 of them have already declared their activity in historical time. Volcanoes in Iceland erupt quite often.
The fourth volcanic belt is relatively small in size. He takes East Africa(40 volcanoes, of which 16 are active). The most famous volcano of this belt is Kilimanjaro (height 5895 m).
Outside of these four volcanic belts, volcanoes on the continents are almost never found.
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 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 determine the exact height of this mountain, since its upper point changes due to frequent eruptions. They usually happen after a few months. Etna occupies 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 hazardous if 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 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. A huge amount of 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 people - actually dangerous volcano, which in 2011 threw away a large number of lava and ash that covered 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. Last time it erupted in June 2005. Then a column of ash thrown out of the crater rose to a great height (more than 5 km). To local authorities had to evacuate the inhabitants 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's 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 small town 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. WITH northern part Greater Caucasus it is connected 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)
This is the largest "fiery mountain" of the Earth in terms of volume. Together with the underwater part, it is 80,000 cubic meters. km! The southeast slope and summit are part of national park"Hawaiian Volcanoes".
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, only active mountains there are more than 600. In addition, every year 1-2 new volcanoes appear on Earth.
The map of volcanoes shows the most dangerous volcanoes of the Earth, which are currently being closely monitored. The following is a description of them with a forecast of possible activity and its consequences. Additionally, volcanoes are marked with a red ring, the eruption of which can have catastrophic consequences for the whole world.
Vesuvius (Italy)
The proximity to Naples (15 km) makes this volcano deadly for more than three million Italians. He begins his sad glory from the year 79, when the cities of Herculaneum, Stabiae and Pompeii were destroyed during the eruption. Eruptions alternate with fairly long periods of calm. During the XVII - XX centuries. Vesuvius erupted with a period of 30-60 years. The last eruption was recorded in 1944. Scientists are unanimous in their opinion that the “killer of Pompeii” will wake up one day, only the timing and strength of the eruption remain unclear. But it does not seem to bother the frivolous Neapolitans at all.
Galeras (Colombia)
Located near the city of Pasto. The most active volcano in the region. Its activity began about 5 thousand years ago and does not subside to this day. Dangerous eruptions were noted in 2008, 2009, 2010, and each time thousands of people living nearby had to be evacuated.
Galunggung (Indonesia)
Located on the western tip of the island of Java. Its eruptions are characterized by high power. In 1822, he claimed the lives of 4,000 people, and in 1982 forced the country's authorities to evacuate about 35,000 inhabitants. It last erupted in 1990. It is included in the list of the most dangerous volcanoes on the planet.
Yellowstone Volcano (USA)
It is located in the state of Wyoming, and, fortunately, it is calm today. It has been active several times over the past 2 million years, and its last eruption was over half a million years ago. The next eruption is expected not earlier than in several tens of thousands of years. This volcano is so huge that if it awakens, the United States will be almost completely destroyed, and the Earth will be covered with an impenetrable curtain of volcanic ash for a long time.
Katla (Iceland)
Located in the very south of Iceland. Over the past thousand years, according to various sources, it erupted from 14 to 16 times and caused significant melting of glaciers, which led to the flooding of nearby settlements. It is located near the Eyjafjallajökull volcano, which recently erupted and blocked air traffic in Europe. Experts believe that the eruptions of the latter are the starting mechanism for the awakening of the Katla volcano, the destructive potential of which is much greater. The findings are also supported by the fact that Lately in the depths of the volcano, the level of magma rose noticeably. In this regard, an eruption is expected, in terms of power many times greater than the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull. If it happens, the consequences can be catastrophic for the entire planet - in addition to the formation of a huge cloud of volcanic ash, there will be melting of glaciers and extensive flooding.
Colima (Mexico)
Located in the state of Jalisco in western Mexico. Last thing major eruption accompanied by evacuation local population registered in 2005 last years The activity of the Colima volcano is increasing. It is also called the "Mexican Vesuvius".
Koryakskaya Sopka (Russian Federation)
Located 35 km. North of the city Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. There were powerful eruptions before our era, as well as in 1895 and 1956. May pose a threat to the population of Kamchatka. It belongs to the most dangerous volcanoes in the world and is under the close supervision of specialists.
Cumbre Vieja (Canary Islands)
Located on the island of Palma, which is part of canary islands. As a result of numerous volcanic eruptions, the coast of the island has undergone significant erosion. One of the slopes of Cumbre Vieja is unstable and may collapse as a result of a powerful eruption or a series of small eruptions. The fall of a rock weighing 500 billion tons into the ocean will lead to the formation of a tsunami that will destroy almost everything East Coast United States and will cause hard-to-repair damage to countries Caribbean. Fortunately, the volcano has not yet shown alarming activity, and the danger of a supertsunami is still hypothetical.
Mauna Loa (USA)
Located on the island of Hawaii. It is the largest volcano on the planet in terms of volume (80,000 cubic kilometers). The nearby Kilaue volcano is considered one of the most beautiful volcanoes on the ground.
Merapi (Indonesia)
The largest active volcano in Indonesia and one of the youngest in Java. It erupts about twice a year, and once every seven years the eruption is quite strong. It is a great danger to nearby settlements. In 1673 he destroyed several cities, in 1930 he caused the death of 1300 people, in 1974-75. destroyed three villages.
Nevado del Ruiz (Colombia)
Located in the departments of Tolima and Caldas. The largest active volcano in the Andes. Remains active for about two million years. In 1985, its eruption caused the death of more than 20,000 people. The upcoming eruption was announced in advance, but no one heeded the warning due to several false alarms the previous day.
Niragongo (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Located in the Virunga mountains on the border Democratic Republic Congo and Rwanda. The most active and dangerous volcano in Africa. Although Niragongo is currently relatively calm, his awakening could be disastrous. Its potential is enormous, and in the event of an eruption under the shadow of volcanic ash, not only Africa, but also Europe and partly Asia can be for a long time.
Pinatubo (Philippines)
Located on the island of Luzon, almost 100 km. From Manila. Until 1991, it was considered extinct. Its awakening was unexpected and swift - during the eruption in 1991. It was destroyed military base US Air Force and killed about 1,000 people. The main danger of this volcano is a large-scale emission of volcanic ash. In a matter of days, the 1991 eruption released about 10 cubic kilometers into the atmosphere rocks. Then, for several months, the Earth's stratosphere was filled with sulfuric acid aerosol, which led to the formation of an ozone hole over Antarctica. giant size and a temperature drop of 0.5 degrees Celsius.
Popocatepetl (Mexico)
Located near Mexico City. For the entire time of the presence of Europeans in America, he showed a rather weak activity, but in recent years he has become more active. Represents a huge potential danger due to the proximity of a twenty-million metropolis.
Rainier (USA)
It is located 85 kilometers southeast of the city of Seattle. The last eruption was a century and a half ago, but recently the volcano has become more active. In the event of an eruption, the lives of about 200,000 people will be at risk.
Sakurajima (Japan)
Located in Kagoshima Prefecture on the island (originally) Sakurajima. As a result of the 1914 eruption, the strait was filled with lava, and Sakurajima became a peninsula. The location near the city of Kagoshima with almost a million inhabitants makes this volcano one of the most dangerous on the planet. Probably for the same reason it is called "Eastern Vesuvius". Monitoring it and predicting its activity is one of the main tasks of Japanese geologists.
Santa Maria (Guatemala)
Located near the city of Quetzaltenango. young and big volcano which has been growing in activity in recent years. A strong eruption happened in 1902, and caused the death of 6,000 people. The roar of the explosion was heard at a distance of 800 km.
Tambora (Indonesia)
Located on the island of Sumbawa. Known for the fact that its eruption in the spring of 1815 was the largest in the last few thousand years, both in terms of the number of erupted rocks and the number of victims. As a result of the eruption, 140 billion tons of solid substances were thrown into the atmosphere, and 10,000 people died immediately. The total number of deaths over time reached the mark of 100,000. In fact, this volcano destroyed the developed and ancient culture Tambora that existed on the island. The ejected ash plunged an area of more than 500 km into complete darkness for three days. from the site of the eruption. But the consequences extended much further. In Europe and America, in 1816, extremely low temperatures set in, and the snow melted only in the summer, which is why the year was called "the year without summer." Naturally, this led to crop failures and numerous starvation deaths around the world.
Ulavun (Papua New Guinea)
Located in the eastern part of the island of New Britain. Ranked among the most active volcanoes Papua New Guinea, is one of the most frequently erupted, which, in fact, is remarkable. Known as an active volcano since 1700. In 1937, during the eruption, it practically covered the capital of the country, located at a distance of more than 100 km, with ashes.
Unzen (Japan)
Located on the Shimabara Peninsula in southwestern Kyushu. Currently, it is weakly active and belongs to the most dangerous, rather because of its history. Its eruption in 1792 is among the most destructive eruptions in the world. The 23 m high tsunami generated by him claimed the lives of about 15,000 people.
Etna (Italy)
Located on the eastern tip of the island of Sicily. The most active and highest volcano in Europe. It erupts a small amount of lava about four times a year and, on average, completely destroys one or more nearby settlements once every one and a half centuries. Danger is a tendency local residents settle close to Etna due to the extreme fertility of the soil formed as a result of constant eruptions. Numerous lovers of high yields run the risk of suddenly dying one day.
Volcanoes and their features, continents without volcanoes and with a large number of them. Highest and nai big volcanoes world, Europe, Russia and the USA. The danger of the explosion of the Yellowstone volcano.
Is there a continent where there are no volcanoes?
The question on which continent there are no volcanoes can be bewildering. Indeed, these huge mountains ejecting fire and lava is on everything the globe. Even in Antarctica, on the ice-covered mainland, there are several extinct volcanoes! However, scientific facts prove that there is one continent on our planet where there are no volcanoes at all.
Australia is a place where there are no volcanoes. To understand the reason for this, one should recall the nature of such mountains. Volcanoes arise at fault points, at the boundaries of tectonic plates. In these zones, magma comes closest to the surface and can slosh onto it. And volcanoes in this case serve as a crack in the crust, through which magma pours out.
And in Australia there are no active volcanoes just because the mainland is far from faults. Australia is located in the very center of the Australian Plate, and therefore tectonic processes, including volcanism, almost do not occur here.
Why are there so many volcanoes in Japan?
Australia's antipode in terms of volcanism can be called Japan. Unlike the calm mainland, the islands of Japan are located in the most dangerous tectonic zone in the world. If Australia lies on one tectonic plate, then Japan is located at the junction of four! The Eurasian, Pacific, North American and Philippine plates converge at this point, creating faults and tectonic belts (see the picture below, Japan is marked with a yellow circle)
What explains the presence of volcanoes in Japan is understandable, but their number is amazing. In total, it costs more than 450 fiery mountains, 110 of which are active, meaning they erupt frequently. The volcano is also the most high point countries - Fujiyama. True, Mount Fuji is considered a dormant volcano, because the last eruption here occurred in 1707!
A large number of volcanoes in Japan are closely associated with earthquakes. This region is part of the tectonic mobile belt "Ring of Fire". This zone extends around the circumference Pacific Ocean. There are frequent earthquakes and volcanic explosions.
What volcanoes are in Europe?
On European continent there are many dangerous, extinct and active volcanoes. But only the eruption of some volcanoes became a legend and these events entered the history of the world.
Vesuvius volcano in Italy
This famous volcano located on the territory modern Italy, near the city of Naples. This is the only active volcano located on the continental part of Europe. The eruption of Vesuvius is quite well known to us from history. It was because of him that in 79 AD the densely populated ancient city Pompeii was buried under a huge amount of lava and volcanic ash. At the same time, other 2 ancient cities disappeared from the face of the earth: Herculaneum and Oplontis. This tragedy formed the basis of many paintings and films.
Santorini
This gentle volcano is located on Greek island Thira in the Aegean. According to history in 1645-1600 BC. e. there was a massive volcanic eruption. The volcano towered high above the ground and the eruption was so powerful that its walls collapsed, which formed high wave a tsunami of 100 meters that covered the islands. Some scientists believe that it was this eruption that destroyed Minoan civilization on the island of Crete.
Sicilian Etna
Most high volcano in Europe - Etna, located on Italian island Sicily. Etna is almost 2 times higher than Visuvius. Since this is an active volcano, its height is constantly changing. This volcano erupts on average 3 times a month, and once every 150 years it destroys the neighboring village. The inhabitants of the island adore their volcano, as it is considered not dangerous. After all, periodically erupting, the volcano cannot accumulate strength and energy for a more destructive eruption. Tourists love to visit this volcano, even during the eruption. If you follow all safety measures and are not near the crater during the eruption, then you can even run away from the erupting lava.
What are the highest and largest volcanoes in the world?
The largest volcano in the world is the title that Mauna Loa and the Tamu Massif argue for. The first volcano is located on Hawaiian Islands and is valid. Mauna Loa last erupted recently, in 1984. The volume of the volcano is 75000 cubic km, and the height is 10168 m! Tamu massif - underwater dormant volcano in the Pacific Northwest. Its volume reaches 2.5 million cubic kilometers, but scientists argue whether this giant can be considered a separate volcano.
Other record holders and simply impressive volcanoes:
- - Mauna Kea - the highest extinct volcano and the mountain with the highest absolute altitude. Taking into account the underwater part, this mountain exceeds Everest by almost 2 km, having a height of 10203 m.
- - Lullaillaco is the highest of the active volcanoes. This mountain rises in the Andes at 6739 m. The last time the eruption was observed in 1877.
- - Klyuchevskaya Sopka is a volcano in Kamchatka, the highest active volcano in Eurasia. Its height is 4835 m, and it erupted on April 25, 2016!
- - Erebus - this volcano is located in Antarctica. It is the southernmost such formation, while constantly operating!
Yellowstone is the most dangerous volcano in the US
In the USA there is a huge volcano called Yellowstone. This is a caldera - a large round basin left after the collapse of the walls of the volcano. The dimensions of the giant are 55x72 km! Researchers are convinced that one day Yellowstone will explode. The danger of such an explosion lies in the size of the volcano. After the eruption, volcanic ash will close the atmosphere. This will cause climate change, cooling, acid rain. If it explodes yellowstone volcano many species of plants and animals will die. Human existence will also be threatened.
