Most dangerous volcanoes in the world

  • Volcanoes are natural phenomena caused by magma from the Earth's interior.
  • Active volcanoes are more dangerous because of their higher probability of eruptions.
  • Mount Vesuvius and Mount Etna are Italian volcanoes with a destructive history.
  • Popocatépetl in Mexico is a significant threat due to its proximity to Mexico City.

the most dangerous volcanoes in the world

Volcanoes are natural phenomena that occur when magma from the Earth's interior reaches the surface. These situations occur in certain places and at certain times. It depends mainly on the location of the fault and whether they are active or inactive volcanoes. Therefore, not all volcanoes are the same; they have different shapes, different types of lava, and different eruptions with different powers. The most explosive are usually considered the most explosive. most dangerous volcanoes in the world.

In this article we are going to tell you which are the most dangerous volcanoes in the world and what their characteristics are.

Characteristics of volcanoes

huge volcanoes

Remember, the appearance of volcanoes is not accidental. Its location is usually determined by the rupture of tectonic plates, the different parts that make up the lithosphere. These plates are in motion as they float on the liquid mantle inside the Earth. When they collide with each other, or when one separates from the other, magma is created in addition to the resulting movement. Magma is the hot liquid that forms the interior of the mantle. At high temperatures, it tends to look for exits, eventually allowing it to use any available space in the Earth's crust to reach the surface. When that happens, that's when volcanoes are born.

However, a volcanic eruption is not a continuous eruption of magma. Every time a volcano spurts magma from its interior, an eruption is said to have occurred. Eruptions depend primarily on the Earth's internal activities. Thus, we can identify active and inactive volcanoes based on the frequency of volcanic eruptions. Logically, the most dangerous volcanoes on Earth would be those that active volcanos, as they are more likely to produce magma eruptions that can damage the nearby environment.

However, that doesn't mean dormant volcanoes don't have this possibility, as the pillars that release magma are always there. Furthermore, volcanoes tend to have more spectacular eruptions after prolonged periods of inactivity because they take place in large volumes of magma that have been retained for longer periods. You can expand your knowledge about other dormant volcanoes and its relevance.

The most dangerous volcanoes in the world and their activity data

lava flows

Vesubio mont

This volcano is located on the coast of Italy, very close to the city of Naples. It has been famous since the 1st century AD. It was responsible for the burial of the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Currently, it is considered a quiescent volcano. Which is more dangerous than anything else, since scientists say volcanoes that erupt for long periods of time have a greater potential for damage. If you want to delve deeper into its history, you can read about the pompeii volcano and the importance of the supervolcanoes.

Mount Etna

Another large volcano in Italy is Mount Etna, located in Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea. In 1669, a volcanic eruption reached the largest city in the region, Catania. In 1992, another similar eruption destroyed much of the island, but luckily missed the city. You can learn more about the volcanoes in Italy and its activity, as well as on the active volcanoes around the world.

nyiragongo

This volcano is located in the Congo. It is one of the most active volcanoes today. Dozens of people died when the volcano erupted in 1977. Also, in 2002, the last outbreak, 45 people died in addition to destroying many buildings in nearby towns.

Merap

This volcano in Indonesia is one of the most active volcanoes on the planet. Volcanologists have calculated that its activity causes it to erupt every 10 years or so. In 2006, the last eruption killed thousands of people living nearby. To learn more about other volcanoes in this region, check out our guide on volcanic activity in Indonesia.

papandayan

Another volcano, also located in Indonesia, is almost as active as Mount Merapi. Its last eruption was in 2002, causing damage to large swathes of the border. As well as the displacement of many who live nearby, although the physical damage is much less.

Mount teide

It is a volcano located on the Canary Island of Tenerife (Spain). It is currently classified as a dormant volcano. However, when it awakens, it could have catastrophic consequences for the entire island, according to volcanologists. We must not forget that the Canary Islands are made up of volcanic islands, which gives us an idea of ​​the power of this phenomenon. For more information, see our article on New volcanic monitoring stations in Tenerife, as well as about volcanoes in Spain.

sakura jima

most dangerous volcanoes in the world

This volcano is located in Japan, especially on the island of Kyushu. It is an active volcano and last erupted in 2009. In addition to the dangers posed by the volcano's own presence, we are talking about areas with a very high proportion of the population, which also increases the risk that the volcano will hinder work of evacuation.

Popocatepetl

Located in Mexico City, just 70 kilometers from Mexico City, the volcano poses a real threat considering the population of this megacity. In fact, Popocatépetl is just one of more than 20 volcanoes spread across the National Geographic Aztec landscape, and because it sits between several very active tectonic plates, it is notable for its intense seismic activity. For more information on other volcanoes in the United States, visit our article on volcanoes in the United States.

Sierra Negra

To wrap up our review of the world's most dangerous volcano, we still have to mention the Sierra Negra in the Galapagos Islands. It is one of the most active volcanoes on Earth and its last eruption occurred in 2005. In this case, we do not have to talk about the risk it poses to humans, because the Galapagos Islands are not very densely populated. However, they constitute an ecosystem of enormous biodiversity that is constantly threatened by this natural phenomenon.

Eyjafjallajokull

The Eyjafjallajökull volcano, a titan standing over 1.600 meters above sea level, rests on a glacier and has been active for the past 8.000 years. It has had several eruptions over the centuries, the most notable being the latest eruption in 2010. The emissions have kept Northern Europe in check, unable to operate due to the volcano's suspension of ash, forcing the cancellation of hundreds of flights for days. If you want to explore this great mountain, you can follow the route on the south coast of Iceland, where many volcanoes in iceland.

Iztaccihuatl

In the Izta-Popo Zoquiapan National Park, there is also one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world called Iztaccihuatl. It is said that the two giants that crown this natural enclave are two aboriginal lovers who suffered a tragic love story.

supervolcanoes of the world
Related article:
Supervolcanoes: Geological Wonders and Their Global Impact

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