Location of volcanoes. Volcanoes of the world: interesting about the most famous volcanoes Location of volcanoes on earth eruption message

One of the most amazing and mysterious geological formations on Earth are volcanoes. However, many of us have only a superficial understanding of them. What is the nature of volcanism? Where and how does a volcano form?

How is a volcanic eruption formed?

How and why the processes are hidden in the bowels of the Earth. In the process of magma accumulation, a large amount of thermal energy is generated. The temperature of the magma is quite high, but it is not able to melt because the crust presses on it from above. If the layers of the earth's crust put less pressure on the magma, the red-hot magma becomes liquid. It is gradually saturated with gases, melts rocks on its way and in this way makes its way to the surface of the earth.

If the volcanic vent is already filled with solidified and hardened lava, then the eruption will not occur until the magnitude of the magma pressure is sufficient to push out this plug. always accompanied by an earthquake. Ashes can be thrown to a height of up to several tens of kilometers.

Volcanoes are mountain-shaped formations from which hot magma erupts. How is a volcano formed? In the presence of cracks in the earth's crust, red-hot magma erupts to its surface under pressure. The slopes of the volcano are formed as a result of subsidence of rocks, lava, ash near the vent.

Undoubtedly, the active volcanoes of the world are one of the most fascinating and beautiful and at the same time frightening natural phenomena. These geological formations played one of the key roles in the formation of the Earth. Millennia ago, there were a huge number of them throughout 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) with a height of 6739 m. 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, there is a National Park with the same name - Llullaillaco, so the surroundings of the mountain are very picturesque. During the ascent to the top, tourists meet donkeys, many species of birds and guanacos living in natural conditions.

There are two routes to get to the crater:

• northern - duration 4.6 km, the road is suitable for travel by car;
• southern - duration 5 km.

If you are going on foot, bring special shoes and an ice ax as there are snowy areas along the way.

Interesting fact! During the first ascent in 1952, an ancient Inca repository was discovered on the mountain, and in 1999, the 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 giant with a height of 6145 meters is located in the Andes, in the northern part of Chile near Bolivia on the Western Cordillera. The peak of the volcano rises above the longest body of water in Chile - Loa.

San Pedro is on the list of the highest active volcanoes. For the first time, it was possible to climb to the crater in 1903. Today it is a unique landmark of Chile, which attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world. In the 20th 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 it is only possible to climb to the crater in 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 recognized as 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.
• The inhabitants of Chile tell many legends associated with the San Pedro volcano, since each eruption in the past was considered a heavenly sign and had mystical significance.
• For the descendants of migrants from Spain and local indigenous people, the volcano is a source of constant and considerable income.

El Misty

Among all the active volcanoes in the world on the map, this one is rightfully considered the most beautiful. Its summit is sometimes covered with snow. The mountain is located near the city of Arequipa, its height is 5822 meters. The volcano is notable for the fact that on 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 Tacune, they stretch for 20 km.

The first active action of the volcano was recorded during the migration of Europeans to Latin America. The strongest, devastating catastrophe occurred in 1438. In the 20th century, the volcano showed activity of varying degrees several times:

• In 1948 for half a year;
• in 1959;
• steam emissions were observed in 1985.

Scientists in Peru concluded a few years ago that the seismic activity of the volcano is gradually increasing. This leads to earthquakes, which are not uncommon in this area. Considering that El Misti is located near a 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. On the territory of the state, this is the second highest mountain peak.

The Aztecs believed that worshiping the volcano would bring rain, so offerings were regularly brought here.

Popocatepetl is dangerous because many cities are built around it:

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

According to scientists, during its history, the volcano erupted more than three dozen times. The last eruption was recorded in May 2013. During the disaster, the airport of the city of Puebla was closed, and the streets were covered with ash. Despite the hidden danger, thousands of tourists from all over the world come to the volcano every year to admire the scenery, listen to the legend and enjoy the majesty of the mountain.

Volcano Sangay

Sangai is rightfully included in the top ten active volcanoes, which are the most powerful in the world. The mountain is located in South America, its height is 5230 meters. In translation, the name of the volcano means “awe-inspiring” and this fully reflects its behavior - eruptions are a frequent occurrence here, and sometimes stones weighing 1 ton fall from the sky. On 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 in comfort, by car, people overcome the finish line on mules. The journey takes several days. In general, the journey is assessed as quite difficult, so few dare to climb to the crater. Tourists who have conquered the mountain feel a strong smell of sulfur and are surrounded by smoke. As a reward, an amazing landscape opens up from the top.

The volcano is surrounded by the Sangay National Park, whose area is more than 500 hectares. In 1992, UNESCO listed the park as endangered. However, in 2005 the object was delisted.

Interesting fact! Three of the highest volcanoes in Ecuador are located in the park area - Sangay, Tungurahua and El Altar.

Klyuchevskaya Sopka

The volcano is the highest on the territory of the Eurasian 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 height of the giant 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 disaster 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 a serious rockfall. And in 1974, the active actions of Klyuchevskaya Sopka led to the explosion of the glacier.

During the 1984-1987 eruption, a new peak formed, and ash plumes 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, another eruption took place for several weeks, accompanied by earthquakes, lava flows and ash emissions to a height of up to 11 km.

mauna loa

The eruption of this huge volcano can be observed from anywhere in Hawaii. Mauna Loa is located in an archipelago formed as a result of volcanic activity. Its height is 4169 meters. The peculiarity is that 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 take tourists to the Mauna Kea volcano. It is indeed a little higher than Mauna Loa, but unlike the latter, it is already extinct. Therefore, be sure to specify which volcano you want to see.

The age of Mauna Loa is 700 thousand years, of which 300 thousand it was under water. The activity of the volcano was recorded only in the first half of the 19th century. During this time, he reminded 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 the city. And the eruption in 1935 was reminiscent of the plot of the legendary Soviet film The Crew. The last activity was recorded in 1984, for 3 weeks lava poured out of the crater. In 2013, several earthquakes occurred, which indicate that the volcano may soon again show what it is capable of.

We can say that scientists are showing the greatest interest in Mauna Loa. According to seismologists, the volcano (one of the few in the world) will continuously erupt for another million years.

Cameroon

Located in the republic of the same name, on the coast 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.

On the territory of West Africa, this 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 mention of the catastrophe dates back to the 5th century BC. In 1922, volcanic lava reached the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. The last eruption occurred in 2000.

Good to know! The best time to climb is December or January. In February, an annual competition is held here - the Race of Hope. Thousands of participants climb to the top, competing in speed.

Kerinci

The highest volcano in Indonesia (its height reaches 3 km 800 meters) and the highest point in Sumatra. Located in the central part of the island, south of the city of Padang. Not far from the volcano is Keinci Seblat Park, which has the status of a national park.

The depth of the crater is more than 600 meters; there is a lake in its northeastern part. A strong eruption was recorded in 2004, when a column of ash and smoke rose 1 km. The last serious catastrophe was recorded in 2009, and in 2011 the activity of the volcano was felt in the form of characteristic shocks.

In the summer of 2013, the volcano threw out a column of ash 800 meters high. Residents of nearby settlements hastily packed up and evacuated. Ashes painted 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, after the event, heavy rain fell, and the consequences of the eruption were washed away.

It is interesting! Climbing to the crater takes 2 to 3 days. The route is laid through dense forests, most often the road is slippery. To overcome the path, you will need the help of a guide. In history, there were cases when travelers disappeared, setting off on a journey on their own. It is best to start climbing 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 to the south of other objects that are the subject of seismological research. The height of the mountain is 3 km 794 m, and the size of the crater is a little more than 800 m.

The volcano has been active since the end of the last century, when a station was opened in the state of New Mexico, its employees monitor its activities. The unique phenomenon of Erebus is the 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 emitted gases cause serious damage to the ozone layer. Scientists note that this is where the thinnest layer of ozone is found.

Volcanic eruptions occur in the form of explosions, the lava is thick, solidifies quickly and does not have time to spread to large areas.

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

Erebus is an amazing natural creation - formidable, magical and charming. The lake in the crater attracts with 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, this is the 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 occurred in 44 BC, it was so strong that the ash completely covered the sky over the capital of Italy, destroyed the crop on the Mediterranean coast. Today, Etna is no less dangerous than in the prehistoric period. The last eruption occurred in the spring of 2008 and lasted almost 420 days.

The volcano is attractive for its diverse vegetation, here you can find palm trees, cacti, pines, agaves, spruces, biscuses, fruit trees and vineyards. Some plants are characteristic only for Etna - stone tree, ethnian violet. Numerous myths and legends are associated with the volcano and the mountain.

Kilauea

On the territory of the Hawaiian Islands, this is the most active volcano (although far from the highest in the world). In Hawaiian, Kilauea means strongly spreading. Eruptions have been occurring continuously since 1983.

The volcano is located on the territory of the National Park of 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 (the goddess of volcanoes). Her tears are individual drops of lava, and her hair is streams of lava.

An amazing sight is the Puuoo lava lake, which is located in the crater. Molten rocks seethe restlessly, creating amazing stains on the surface. Being close to this natural phenomenon is dangerous, as fiery lava breaks out to a height of 500 meters.

In addition to the lake, you can admire a cave of natural origin. Its length is more than 60 km. The ceiling of the cave is decorated with stalactites. Tourists note that walking through the cave is reminiscent of flying 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 the roadway, and lava covered an area of ​​120 km.

The whole world watched the most powerful Kilauea eruption in 2014. The eruption was accompanied by periodic earthquakes. Huge volumes of lava destroyed residential buildings and operating farms. The evacuation of the nearest settlements was carried out, but not all residents showed a desire to leave their homes.

Which continent has no active volcanoes?

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

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

The ancient Romans believed that the forge of the mighty god Vulcan was located in the depths of Mount Ethnos in Sicily. When he and his helpers, the giant cyclops, work, an underground rumble is heard, columns of smoke and fire appear. Then all the fire-breathing mountains were called volcanoes. What is a volcano?

Volcano- this is a conical mountain, from which a red-hot substance - magma - erupts from time to time. Magma is formed at high pressures and temperatures in the earth's crust and upper mantle (lithosphere). Scientists believe that the process of magma formation occurs during tectonic movements of the lithospheric plates on its active margins.

Volcano section: 1 - magma chamber; 2 - lava flow; 3 - cone; 4 - crater; 5 - channel through which gases, magma rise to the crater; 6 - layers of lava flows, ash, lapilli and loose materials from earlier eruptions; 7 - remains of an old volcano crater

Active outskirts- these are areas of the lithosphere in which the oceanic crust sinks under the lighter and more floating continental crust, forming an inclined plate. The interaction of a plate of subducting oceanic crust with the continental lithosphere causes melting of the upper mantle at a depth of 150–200 km. Melt drops originated here, merging with each other, begin to move upwards. At some higher intermediate levels in the earth's crust, they form magma chambers, and an eruption occurs from the uppermost chamber.

What is a volcanic eruption?

Eruption- this is the exit to the surface of the planet of the molten substance of the earth's crust and mantle, which is called magma.

Magma that has risen to the surface consists of liquid, gas and solid crystals - minerals.

Rising to the Earth's surface through the supply channel, magma enters the area of ​​low pressure. Gases begin to be released from the magma, turning into a normal state and multiplying in volume. Moreover, if the release of gases occurs very quickly or even instantly, then a powerful explosion occurs, but if the release of gases occurs gradually, then the eruption proceeds more calmly.

The process of freeing magma from gas is called magma degassing. The rate of magma degassing determines the rate of volcanic eruptions. There are three types of volcanic eruptions.

If gases are released from the magma relatively quietly, then it pours out to the surface, forming lava flows. Such an eruption is called effusive.

Effusive eruption

If the gases are released quickly, the magmatic melt seems to flash up instantly and it is torn apart by expanding gas bubbles. There is a powerful explosive eruption, which is called explosive.

explosive eruption

If the magma is very viscous and its temperature is low, then it is slowly squeezed out to the surface. Such an eruption is called extrusive.

extrusive eruption

What are volcanoes

Most common central type volcanoes- this is a hill, mountain or hill with a depression at the top - a crater from which magma comes to the surface. During a volcanic eruption, fragments of rock ejected from it, ashes, erupted lava remain on its slopes. The height of the mountain increases, and with it the crater moves higher and higher.

Another type of volcanoes - linear, or fissure. Their occurrence is associated with the rise of liquid basalt magma along a crack in the earth's crust. Liquid lava spreads over vast areas, forming lava sheets. Such a volcano looks like a crack on the surface of the Earth.

Volcanoes are also divided into active, dormant and extinct.

To current include volcanoes that erupted in historical time.

To dormant Volcanoes are those whose eruptions are not known, but they have retained their shape and local earthquakes occur under them.

To extinct Volcanoes include volcanoes that do not show volcanic activity.

Fissure-type volcano in section

Where do volcanoes meet?

We have already noted that volcanoes erupt when magma flows from melting centers into the upper layers of the earth's crust. Melting centers occur most often in zones of deep faults in the earth's crust. Therefore, most volcanoes are located in zones of intense tectonic activity - in the Earth's lithosphere. These are the outskirts of the continents "crawling" onto the oceans, when the oceanic crust sinks under the continental one or the continents "crawl" on top of each other (the Pacific coast, the Mediterranean, the Caucasus). These are also the places where the continents are split by giant cracks - rifts (East Africa).

Santorini Island (Greece) with an active volcano (from a 19th century manuscript)

There are about 500 volcanoes on Earth. Approximately 370 of them are located along the coasts and on the island arcs of the Pacific Ocean (Aleutian, Kuril, Japanese, Philippine, Sunda Islands) and on the outskirts of the continents of North America, Central America, in the Andes in the west of South America. Nine active volcanoes are located in Antarctica.

Eruption of the Nea Kameni volcano near the island of Santorini. Photo 1926

Several volcanic islands are located in the Indian Ocean. There are only 45 of them in the Atlantic Ocean.

In addition to the Pacific zone, there are still two areas of volcanism on Earth. One of them is in Africa, where there are active volcanoes Kilimanjaro in Kenya and Cameroon in Central Africa. Active volcanoes are known in Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania. The other area includes the Mediterranean and Asia Minor, as well as Eastern Turkey and Iran.

Tolbachik volcano eruption (Eastern Kamchatka)

On the territory of Russia, the activity of volcanoes is observed in the regions of Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands. For example, the Avachinsky volcano, located near the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, has erupted 16 times over the past 200 years. In 1994 he began to awaken again.

Test yourself

1. What is a volcano and what causes its eruption?
2. What is a volcanic eruption and what are the precursors of an eruption?
3. In what regions of our planet is the largest concentration of volcanoes?

After school

1. Get a contour map of the world and put active volcanoes known to you on it, determine the zones of their location.
2. Find on the Internet or in the media a description of the eruption of one of the volcanoes at the beginning of the 21st century? Write down its detailed characteristics indicating the type of volcano.

10 largest and most dangerous volcanoes on Earth.

A volcano is a geological formation that arose due to the movement of tectonic plates, their collision and the formation of faults. As a result of collisions of tectonic plates, faults are formed, and magma comes to the surface of the Earth. As a rule, volcanoes are a mountain, at the tip of which there is a crater, which is the place where the lava comes out.

Volcanoes are divided into:

- operating;
- sleeping;
- extinct;

Active volcanoes are those that have erupted in the short term (approximately 12,000 years)
Dormant volcanoes are called volcanoes that have not erupted in the near historical perspective, but their eruption is practically possible.
Extinct volcanoes include those that have not erupted in the near historical future, however, the top has the shape of a crater, but such volcanoes are unlikely to erupt.

List of the 10 most dangerous volcanoes in the world:

1. (Hawaii, USA)

2. Taal Volcano (Philippines)

3. Merapi Volcano (Java Island)

4. Santa Maria Volcano (Guatemala)

It is one of the most active volcanoes of the 20th century.
It is located at a distance of 130 kilometers from the city of Guatemala, and is located in the so-called Pacific. Ring of Fire. The Santa Maria crater was formed after it erupted in 1902. About 6,000 people died then. The last eruption occurred in March 2011.

5. Volcano Ulawun (Papua New Guinea)

Ulawun volcano, located in the region of New Guinea, began to erupt from the beginning of the 18th century. Since then, eruptions have been recorded 22 times.
In 1980, the largest volcanic eruption occurred. The ejected ash covered an area of ​​more than 20 square kilometers.
Now this volcano is the highest peak in the region.
The last volcanic eruption occurred in the year 2010.

6. Volcano Galeras (Colombia)

7. Volcano Sakurajima (Japan)

8. Nyiragongo (DR Congo)

Volcanoes- geological formations on the surface of the earth's crust, through which magma appears. The name comes from the Roman god of fire - Vulcan. Today there are more than 1000 active volcanoes on the planet. Next, we will introduce you to the classification of volcanoes, tell you where most of them are located and which are considered the highest and most famous.

Volcanoes: interesting facts

There is a large classification of volcanoes. So everything volcanoes of the world are divided into 3 types:
By appearance (thyroid, stratovolcanoes, cinder cones, domes);
By location (podlenikovye, terrestrial, underwater);
By activity (extinct, dormant, active).

Each volcano consists of the following parts:
Main crater;
Side crater;
Vent.


Some volcanoes do not erupt lava. There are also mud volcanoes, and geysers are also post-volcanic formations.

Where are the volcanoes of the world

Most of the volcanoes are located in the Andes, Indonesia, Iceland, Hawaii and Kamchatka. However, they are not located randomly, but in strictly defined zones:
Most of the volcanoes are located in a zone called the Pacific Ring of Fire: in the Andes, Cordillera, Kamchatka, as well as in the Philippines and New Zealand. Nearly all are located here. active volcanoes terrestrial world - 328 out of 540.
Another location zone is the Mediterranean fold belt, which includes the Mediterranean Sea (Santorini, Etna, Vesuvius) and stretches to Indonesia, where almost all the powerful eruptions of the world took place: Tambora in 1815 and Krakatoa in 1883.
Mid-Atlantic Ridge, forming entire volcanic islands. Vivid examples: Canary Islands, Iceland.

Active volcanoes of the world

Most of the active volcanoes are located in the above zones. Volcanoes often erupt in Iceland, periodically reminds of itself the highest volcano in Europe - Etna. Others that are particularly well known are:
Popocatepetl, located near Mexico City;
Vesuvius;
Mauna Loa;
Nyiragongo (DR Congo), famous for its huge lake of boiling lava, located in the crater.

Extinct volcanoes of the world

Volcanoes often complete active eruptions. Some of them are considered extinct, others are considered dormant. Extinct volcanoes of the world located throughout the planet, including in the Andes, where the highest volcano in the world is located - (6893 meters), as well as the mountain of volcanic origin Aconcagua (the main peak of South America).

Often extinct volcanoes used as observatories, for example, Mauna Kea in the Hawaiian Islands, in the crater of which 13 telescopes are installed. By the way, it is Mauna Kea that is recognized as the highest volcano in general, if we consider the underwater part, then its height is 10,205 meters.

The most famous volcanoes in the world

Everyone heard stories about terrible eruptions that destroyed entire cities and destroyed islands. Here we will talk about:
Vesuvius, this small volcano in Italy (1281 m) destroyed the city of Pompeii. This moment is even captured in Bryullov's painting The Last Day of Pompeii.
Etna is the highest volcano in Europe that erupts periodically. The last eruption took place in May 2015.
Krakatau is a volcano in Indonesia that erupted in 1883 with the explosion of 10,000 atomic bombs. Now in its place rises a new volcano - Anak-Krakatau.
Tambor. In 1815, the most powerful eruption of our time took place, as a result of which a volcanic winter came (the pollution of the atmosphere with ash), and 1816 became a year without a summer.
Santorini, which destroyed the Minoan civilization and destroyed an entire island in the Mediterranean Sea.
Mont Pele on Martinique, which destroyed the port of Saint-Pierre in a matter of minutes. 36,000 people died
The Yellowstone Caldera is a potential supervolcano whose eruption could change the map of the world.
Kilimanjaro is the highest point in Africa.