Volcanoes, for all their danger, are one of the most beautiful and majestic wonders of nature. Active volcanoes look especially beautiful at night. But this beauty brings death to everything around. Lava, volcanic bombs, pyroclastic flows, consisting of hot volcanic gases, ash and stones, can even wipe out large cities from the face of the earth. Mankind has managed to become convinced of the incredible power of volcanoes during the infamous eruption of Vesuvius, which killed the ancient Roman cities of Herculaneum, Pompeii and Stabia. And there are many such examples in history.
The largest volcanoes in the world - today we’ll talk about these dangerous but beautiful giants. Our list includes volcanoes of various degrees of activity - from conditionally dormant to active. The main selection criterion was their size.
10. Sangay | Height 5,230 meters
Opens the rating of the largest volcanoes on Earth active stratovolcano Sangailocated in Ecuador. Its height is 5230 meters. The top of the volcano consists of three craters with a diameter of 50 to 100 meters. Sangay is one of South America's youngest and most turbulent volcanoes. His first eruption occurred in 1628. The last one took place in 2007. Now the volcanic activity of the giant from the Equator is estimated as moderate. Tourists who visited the Sangai National Park, in the territory of which the volcano is located, can climb to its peak.
9. Popocatepetl | Height 5 455 meters
On the 9th place among the largest volcanoes in the world - Popocatepetl. It is located on the Mexican Highlands. The height of the volcano is 5455 meters. Even in a calm state, the volcano is constantly shrouded in a cloud of gases and ash. Its danger lies in the fact that there are densely populated areas around the volcano, and Mexico City is located 60 kilometers from it. The last eruption of the giant occurred recently - on March 27, 2016, he threw a kilometer column of ash. The next day Popocatepetl calmed down. In the event of a massive eruption of the Mexican giant, it will threaten the safety of several million people.
8. Elbrus | Height 5 642 meters
There are large volcanoes in Europe. Stratovolcano is located in the North Caucasus Elbruswhose height is 5642 meters. This is the highest peak in Russia. Elbrus is one of the seven highest mountain peaks of the planet. Regarding the activity of the giant, scientists differ. Some consider it an extinct volcano, while others consider it an extinct. Sometimes Elbrus becomes the center of small earthquakes. In some places, sulphurous gases escape from cracks on its surface. Scientists who believe that Elbrus may wake up in the future are of the opinion that the nature of his eruption will be explosive.
7. Orizaba | Height 5 675 meters
Seventh place on the list of the largest volcanoes on Earth Orisaba, the highest peak of Mexico. The height of the volcano is 5675 meters. The last time he erupted in 1687. Now Orisaba is considered a sleeping volcano. From its top, panoramic views are stunning in beauty. In order to protect the volcano, a reserve was created.
6. Misty | Height 5 822 meters
On the 6th place in the list of the largest volcanoes is Mistylocated in the south of Peru. Its height is 5822 meters. Misty refers to active volcanoes. The last time he erupted in 1985. In January 2016, an increase in fumarole activity was observed on the volcano - steam and gas holes appeared. This is one of the signs of an impending eruption. In 1998, six Inca mummies were found near the inner crater of the volcano.
An interesting fact is that many buildings in the city of Arequipa, located 17 kilometers from the volcano, were built from white deposits of pyroclastic flows of Misti. Therefore, Arequipa is called the "White City".
5. Kilimanjaro | Height 5,895 meters
Fifth place among the largest volcanoes on the planet is the highest point on the African continent - Kilimanjaro. Scientists have concluded that this gigantic stratovolcano 5895 meters high is potentially active. Now it periodically emits gases and there is a possibility of a crater crash of the volcano, which can provoke its eruption. There is no documented evidence of Kilimanjaro's activity, but there are legends of local residents that speak of an eruption that occurred about 200 years ago.
4. Cotopaxi | Height 5 897 meters
In fourth place on the list of the largest volcanoes on Earth is Cotopaxi - The second largest peak of Ecuador. This is an active volcano, whose height is 5897 meters. The first time his activity was recorded in 1534. Since then, volcanic eruptions have occurred more than 50 times. Kotpaha's last major eruption occurred in August 2015.
3. San Pedro | Height 6,145 meters
Active stratovolcano San pedro, located in Chile, ranks 3rd among the largest volcanoes in the world. Its height is 6145 meters. The last volcanic eruption occurred in 1960.
2. Mauna Loa | Height 4 205 meters
Second place among the largest volcanoes in the world Mauna Loalocated in hawaii. In terms of volume, it is the largest volcano on Earth, containing more than 32 cubic kilometers of magma. A giant was formed more than 700 thousand years ago. Mauna Loa is an active volcano. In 1984, his eruption lasted almost a month and caused great damage to local residents and the surrounding volcano area.
1. Ljulyayljako | Height 6 739 meters
In first place among the largest volcanoes in the world is the active start-up volcano. Lulhaillaco. It is located on the border of Argentina and Chile. Its height is 6739 meters. The last eruption of the giant took place in 1877. Now it is in the solfatar stage - from time to time the volcano emits sulfur dioxide and water vapor. In 1952, during the first ascent of Ljulyayljako, the ancient Inca sanctuary was found. Later, on the slopes of the volcano, archaeologists discovered three children's mummies. Most likely, they were sacrificed.
It is interesting. The Yellowstone Caldera, which is approximately 55 km by 72 km in size, is called a supervolcano. It is located in Yellowstone National Park USA. The volcano has not been active for 640 thousand years. Under its crater is a magma bubble with a depth of more than 8 thousand meters. During its existence, the supervolcano erupted three times. Each time this caused major disasters that change the face of the Earth at the site of the eruption. When the supervolcano awakes once again, it is impossible to predict. With confidence, only one thing can be said - a cataclysm of this magnitude can put the existence of our civilization on the brink.