Most of the time we notice that there are some mountains that don’t have a peak instead they are opened from the top. Yes, those are volcanoes and they are not gentle giants as they appear. However, they are packed with all the gases and molten lava that is generated under the earths crust because of the tectonic plates movement.
Volcanoes can also be found under sea. Geologist around the world have also been researching about the volcano eruptions happening underwater. One of the scariest things for people is living under the shadow of an active volcano. They know it can erupt anytime, however there are proper equipment to record the volcanic activity and the seismic waves caused by it.
It has been happening since the very beginning of time but due to the presence of modern technology, many of the destruction that could be caused by a volcanic eruption is now preventable. The authorities alert people about it and get the area timely evacuated to reduce the risk of life loss and destruction to some extent. Wikipedia describes volcano as a rupture in the crust of a planetary mass like earth that continues to erupt and the intensity of those eruptions gets bigger and bigger over the course of time.
So, lets find out all the important stuff about the 10 most dangerous active volcanoes found on the face of the earth.
Mauna Loa
The island of Hawaii comprises five volcanoes, and Mauna Loa is one of them. In terms of volume and mass, it is the largest volcano that is found in the open air and has long submarine flanks that has a length further descending under sea level. It we talk about its eruption frequency; Mauna Loa has erupted for about 39 times since the year 1832. Mauna Loa means Long mountain in Hawaiian and has a height of 13,677 feet
Taal
One of the most famous tourist attraction in Philippine is Taal Volcano. Located at the island of Luzon, it is the second most active volcano. It has erupted more than 33 times since 16th century. It is a kind of a compound volcano that appear on the surface of earth due to the eruptive habits of a particular region or location because of the changes happening beneath the surface. This volcano is extremely known for the spectacular views that it offers to the people tourist especially from Tagaytay Ridge which is located at some distance from it. One of the most exciting fact about Taal volcano is that it is surrounded by a lake that is itself found within the Island of Luzon.
Gunung Merapi
Gunung Merapi which means ‘Mountain of Fire’ in Indonesian is one of the most active stratovolcano volcano on earth located at the border of Central Java and Yogyakarta. It has been erupting regulary ever since the mid of 16th century. The shadow of this mountain looms over the city of Yogyakarta and Surakarta. Not only that people praise its beauty but they also use this mountain to fulfil their passion of mountain climbing. Sadly in 1994, the eruption of this volcano killed over 60 people and caused destruction at a large scale. Another interesting thing is that the local people believe a supernatural kingdom exists on the top of Merapi.
Santa Maria
In the western highlands of Guatemala lies a large active volcano known as Santa Maria. It is a part of one of the most dramatically risen chain of stratovolcanoes. Santa Maria volcano is about 3.8 Km high and has a conical shape on the top. It was last erupted in the year 2013 and this series of eruption is going from the year 1902 and the flow of molten material has formed numerous lava flows and lava domes at different places. The most active part of Santa Maria volcano is known as Santiaguito.
Galeras
The next thing we are talking about is Galeras which is Columbia’s most active volcano. The eruption that occurred on this mountain in the year 1993 claimed lives of group of scientists and tourists. In the beginning of the year 2010, this volcano erupted and threw aways its ash as far as 40 km away.
Mount Rainier
It is so large and visible that it has a national park in the United States named after it. Yes, we are talking about Mount Rainier. Being one of the most topographically prominent mountains, it has become one of the most favorite tourist attractions. Mount Rainier is just located 54 miles away from Seattle and sits in a national park which was established in the year 1899.
Mount Nyiragongo
The Democratic Republic of Congo also has one of the most active and dangerous stratovolcano with an elevation of about 3.5 km. it is situated in Virunga National Park. However, as the situation in the country usually doesn’t remain politically stabilized, scientist are unable to study properly about the volcano and its characteristics.
Yellowstone Caldera
It is not only a volcano but here we are talking about supervolcano that lies in the heart of Yellowstone national park in the Western United States. However, nobody exactly knows that when this supervolcano is going to erupt again. If we look deep into the natural history, we come to know that it has erupted three times and has caused massive destruction nearly wiping out the species living in the region. Those who live under the shadow of it know that the threat is not over yet!
Sakurajima
It causes ash and volcanic particles to rain down; Mount Sakurajima is one of the most active volcanoes found in Japan. The eruption that occurred in Sakurajima was immensely powerful and caused drastic changes on the surface of the earth in particular region. However the volcanic activity stills goes on in this volcano haunting people living near the volcano.
Mount Vesuvius
There is a volcano situated in the Gulf of Naples in Campania, Italy known as Mount Vesuvius. It is a part of the group of volcanoes that forms Campanian volcanic art and is the only active volcano found on the mainland Europe. However, all of the seismic activity and gases emissions from this volcano are monitored at Vesuvius Observatory.
