The eruption of Vesuvius 79 BC, which destroyed the three Roman cities of Herculaneum, Pompeii, Stabius, many years later inspired the Russian artist Karl Bryullov to create a large-scale painting “The Last Day of Pompeii”. In the hands of modern artists are not only brushes and palettes, but also multifunctional cameras, with the help of which daredevils convey all the grandeur and tragedy of the most powerful eruptions of these mountain giants. Let's go on a virtual trip to see the most beautiful volcanoes in the world, as well as photos of volcanoes and their eruptions.
1
Irasu. Costa Rica
A high volcano rises above the snow-white clouds, and its slopes are partially overgrown with tropical greenery.
A lake has formed inside the crater, which has a characteristic green color due to sulfur impurities. The name of the beautiful mountains of Costa Rica is composed of two words of the local Indian tribes - “point” and “thunder”.
2
Pichincha. Ecuador
The eastern slopes of the mountain of the same name bend around the ancient capital of Ecuador, but in the western part there is a functioning caldera. In 1908, during the eruption, Quito streets were covered with a thick layer of volcanic ash.
Two peaks rise above the picturesque landscapes of Latin American nature and the old buildings of Quito. The one higher is called Guagua (Child), and lower - Rucu (Old Man).
3
Vesuvius. Italy
On the shores of the Gulf of Naples is the most famous volcano in history. The last time he disturbed the inhabitants of southern Italy in 1944.
There was a war, and American pilots managed to take photos of the lava spewing and puffs of Vesuvius smoke. Italy's beautiful mountain attraction is not dangerous today, but it is the only active volcano in continental Europe.
We already wrote about it in our article on thebiggest.ru about the most powerful volcanoes in the world.
4
Pinatubo. Philippines
In 1991, the Philippine volcano attracted the attention of the world. Having slept for nearly 611 years, he erupted in a strong emission of lava, smoke and ash.
The US Air Force base was destroyed, and about 870 people died from the disaster. But he was a savior. During the Spanish conquest of the Philippine islands on its slopes, the indigenous inhabitants of the Aeta tribe were saved from the atrocities of the conquistadors.
5
Ijen. Indonesia
In a romantic and beautiful corner, a mountain rises above the expanses of Java, the name of which is in tune with the crater lake Kawah ijen, formed in the caldera of the volcano. This is a sulfur lake, the evaporation of which is very toxic, but tourists come here to contemplate the volcanic lava.
A volcano with blue lava is a very popular tourist attraction. Tourists come here to admire the volcanic landscapes, see waterfalls and hot springs, and also watch how sulfur is mined on the mountain slopes.
6
Popocatepetl. Mexico
The Aztecs revered the smoking hill as a deity, and together with Istaxiuatl was a hero of the Aztec legend. It reveals the secret of how two mountain giants formed.
Unlike his brother, who has long been considered extinct, Popocatepetl is an active volcano. In addition, one of the largest on the planet. During the eruptions, a large number of residents have to be evacuated, since many rural settlements and the city of Mexico City are spread around the mountain.
7
Sinabung. Indonesia
The troublemaker in the Oceania region every year forces residents of surrounding villages to leave their homes, fleeing the erupting lava, ash, stones and smoke bursting from the vents of the volcano.
In 2015, due to the eruption of the Sinabung, even Australia announced a red danger level, banning the flight of national airlines.
8
Fogu. Cape Verde
The attraction of a small African state rises above the ocean to a height of 2,829 m. Eruptions force the inhabitants of Fogu to seek salvation on the neighboring island of Brava, covering 20 km.
In the past, its eruptions caused the strongest tsunamis, but even today this danger for the region remains. Crater Peak Fogu resembles a lunar lifeless landscape.
9
Cotopaxi. Ecuador
The main volcano of the Latin American country is located in the Andes mountain range, near the capital of Quito. A snow-white cap of a glacier flaunts on top.
The high mountain attracts mountaineering enthusiasts, and the first time it was submitted in 1872. Rare tropical plants grow on the slopes of Cotopaxi, and at a great height you can meet amazing hummingbirds.
10
Calbuco. Chile
The Chilean giant is located in the south of the Andes among the beautiful mountain lakes of Chapo and Lianquiue. The explosion in the Pleistocene was accompanied by a large ejection of lava, which spread throughout the district. The fiery lava then reached the surface of the lakes, frozen in bizarre forms.
Today it is the most active volcano in Latin America, and eruptions periodically occur, starting in 1837. In 2015, a mushroom cloud of ash and smoke grew over Kalbuco, turning red in the rays of the setting sun.
11
Dallol. Ethiopia
If you want to feel yourself among extraterrestrial landscapes, you need to go to African Ethiopia, where the volcanic crater of the Danakil Depression is located.
By its appearance, it resembles the surface of Io, orbiting around Jupiter. Sulfur and andesite give the crater a yellow color, while bizarre rocks of solidified lava and small lakes add to the landscape of surrealism.
12
Yasur. Vanuatu
Among the islands of the New Hybrids archipelago, there is the island of Tanna, over which the peak of the active volcano Yasur hangs. Activity is recorded every 5 years, but among all active ones, it is considered the most affordable.
Tourists often climb to his crater, and in 2012 he became the backdrop for the film “Armor of God 3: The Zodiac Mission”.
13
Etna. Italy
The highest stratovolcano of Europe is comfortably located among the beauties of Sicily, and its peak height is 3,295 m. Over the entire history of observations, about 200 eruptions of the beautiful but dangerous Etna were recorded.
In the 70s of the 20th century, during the eruption over Etna, rare in nature toroidal vortex rings formed. Scientists then for the first time then managed to fix an unusual natural phenomenon.
14
Eyyafyatlayokudl. Iceland
The eruption of Eyyafyatlayokudl volcano and the release of ash in the spring of 2010 stirred up the whole of Europe. Due to the large amount of ash, airports were closing, flights were canceled, and lady's clubs were clearly visible from space.
The beautiful Icelandic glacier with an unpronounceable name amazes with its grandeur. Interestingly, according to the results of the study, only 0.005% of the inhabitants of the planet earth can pronounce his name correctly.
15
Soufriere. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Above the northern part of the island of St. Vincent rises the oldest volcano of the West Indies, whose age is about 60 million years. It is surrounded by a mountain range of extinct volcanoes, and he keeps the population of the island in suspense.
Eruptions changed the economic activity of the island. Lava and ashes destroyed agricultural crops, and local residents shifted to tourism, abandoning the cultivation of fields. And on the neighboring island of Montserrat, the Soufriere Hills volcano covered the capital Plymouth with a 12-meter layer of ash and mud.
16
Krakatau. Indonesia
The foot of Krakatau is washed by the waters of the Sunda Bay, and it itself is harmoniously located between the islands of Sumatra and Java. During a period of activity, a stratovolcano emits huge puffs of smoke and ash into the atmosphere, and the sounds of explosions are heard by the inhabitants of the Indonesian islands.
Until 1883, it was a large island, but as a result of the eruption, most of the land went under water, leaving a peak 813 m high above the surface.
17
St. Helens. USA
In the US state of Washington, there is a stratovolcano named after an 18th-century British diplomat. St. Helens enters the Pacific Ring of Fire, and often disturbs the surroundings with its eruptions.
In 1980, it caused great destruction and the death of 57 people. Despite this has become an important cultural facility. A musical symphony is dedicated to him, a film was made based on the real events of May 1980, and the poet Gary Snyder included a poem about him in his pro-poetic poem Danger at the Peaks.
18
Stromboli. Italy
Off the coast of Italy, among the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea, a volcanic island rises with the same active volcano. Small in size, but quite active. Geologists claim that he has been erupting for 20 thousand years.
These are explosive eruptions, accompanied by the release of explosive bombs and huge amounts of smoke. Very rarely on the slopes of Stromboli you can observe hot lava.
19
Poas. Costa Rica
One of the most beautiful volcanoes on the planet has spread its several craters in the territory of the National Park in Central America.
A chain of geysers, a steaming lake and bizarre frozen volcanic deposits formed around the main crater. Poas struck everyone in 1828, when 39 powerful explosions were recorded.
By the way, an article was published on the most interesting places in the USA on our site thebiggest.ru.
20
Agung. Indonesia
The majestic and great Agung on the island of Bali is considered a sacred mountain among the indigenous people. The height of the mountain is 2,997 m, and the Batur caldera is located nearby.
During activity, it emits large puffs of smoke and ash into the air, disrupting air traffic. During a fixed history, Agung disturbed the islanders 5 times, and in 2018 the eruption lasted only 7 minutes.
21
Mayon. Philippines
If you read our article about cities that can at any moment fly into the air from eruptions, then you are familiar with this giant. For the past 20 years, Mayon has been demonstrating to the inhabitants of the planet his fiery temper and explosive character. It has an almost perfect conical shape, and is considered the most active and dangerous in this seismic region.
Over the entire history, it has been active more than 50 times, and in 2018 lava fountains from its vent reached a height of 700 m. In 2013, climbers from Germany and their guide died as the eruption began during their ascent to the summit.
22
A chain of volcanoes on the island of Isabela. Ecuador
Six powerful mountain giants are located on a small territory of the island of the Galapagos archipelago. Four of them continue to be active.
Their slopes are covered with tropical greenery, and graceful turtles have chosen the territory at the foot. Great doubts arise, knowing about the speed of their movement, whether they will be able to escape at the time of the eruption. But, perhaps, they feel, like many animals, the approach of danger in advance.
23
Shishaldina. USA
Shishaldina, covered with ice and snow, rises above the snowy Alaska, attracting extreme climbers with its difficult to climb slopes.
An active volcano periodically shakes the peninsula with its eruptions. The last time this happened in the year 200 7.
24
Ruapehu. New Zealand
An active crater is located among the two peaks of the highest mountain of the North Island of New Zealand. The last time was active in 2007. The slopes are overgrown with dense forest, and the peaks themselves are covered with snow.
From Ruapehu, magnificent views of the surroundings open, and in clear weather you can see the mirror of Lake Taupo, located 40 km from the volcano.
25
Villarrica. Chile
From the top of the mountain there are magnificent views of the lakes at the foot of the lake, and in winter you can go skiing here. Climbing is quite dangerous, but this does not stop many tourists.
In Mapuche language, the name of the volcano is translated as the house of the devil, and in the pre-Columbian period, Indian tribes revered Villarrica and sacrificed to the spirits of the majestic mountain.
26
Bromo. Indonesia
Local tribes threw living people into the Bromo crater, thus making sacrifices to their gods. Prejudice has long been in the past, but even today they bring sacrifices, only now the dead are thrown into the crater.
It is popular with tourists, because along the paths covered with ashes you can easily climb its majestic slopes. Bromo is especially beautiful when he releases puffs of smoke, and the sunset colors them red.
27
Mauna Loa. USA
The largest volcano in the Western Hemisphere rises above Hawaii to an altitude of 4,169 m. Above it is only the "White Mountain" of Mauna Kea.
The name of the volcano means a long mountain, and it formed about 700 thousand years ago. Mauna Loa is an integral part of the nature reserve, and rare species of tropical plants grow on the slopes of the mountain.
28
Pakaya. Guatemala
One of the most active on our planet, Pakaya is located among the expanses of Guatemala on the shores of the beautiful Lake Amatitlan. Included in the volcanic complex of the Pacific coast of Guatemala.
During periods of activity, gases escaping to the surface carry stones and lava hundreds of meters. Mountaineers seeking adventure have long included it in the list of their favorite climbing sites, but here at TheBiggest.ru before these climbers would have twisted their fingers at the temple.
29
Cordon Caulle. Chile
When this volcano wakes up in Chile, thousands of tourists come to it. From a safe distance, they try to capture an exciting natural phenomenon.
Quite often, eruptions are accompanied by bright lightning, which make their way through the clouds of smoke and ash.
30
Fujiyama. Japan
The snowy peak of Fuji, sacred to every Japanese, is comfortably located on the regular shape of the mountain cone. It is considered active, but the last time was active in the distant 1708.
Tens of thousands of tourists come to Hoshu to admire the main attraction of the Land of the Rising Sun. This is evidenced by numerous photos of Fujiyama on social networks. You can get to Fuji by express train from the capital of Tokyo.
Volcano sectional drawing
In conclusion, imagine a volcano in a section to understand how the ora looks from the inside, which carries a danger to all living things.
The figure shows the concentration of magma, and the vent through which the lava rises, and the crater spewing fire, puffs of smoke and ash. During activity, side craters also form on the slopes of the cone.
Even in the fifth grade from the course of the Ancient World, we know that the attributes of Vulcan, or Hephaestus, the god of blacksmithing in Greek mythology, were ticks, furs, and a pilos was dressed on his head - a special cap of an artisan. Then we learned that the world has a lot of interesting things: northern lights, meteor showers, mirages, eclipses of the Sun and the Earth. All these phenomena are delightful, but everyone agrees that the eruption of the volcano is the most spectacular phenomenon, the path and bringing death to all living things that are nearby.
Posted by Valery Skiba