most active volcanoes in the world

most active volcanoes in the world

A volcano is a crack in the earth's crust attached to a chamber filled with magma.. Through this crack, incandescent materials in the form of magma such as lava, gas and other liquids at very high temperatures inside the planet come out and accumulate on the surface of the volcano. The volcanoes are scattered throughout the land surface of the planet, locating them in different countries.

These natural phenomena are one of the greatest threats to humans, animals and vegetation, since they can erupt at any time even after many years of relative calm. But do we really know which are the most active volcanoes in the world?. In this publication we will show you not only a map of where they are located, but we will also talk about some of them, giving you details of how these large geological formations of fire behave.

El US Geological Survey, USGS, estimated a total of more than a thousand active volcanoes in the world. The eruptions of these natural phenomena can last from days to months, years or decades. Since 1750, 101 volcano eruptions lasting more than five years have been recorded. When is a volcano considered active? How many do we have in Spain? We solve all these doubts and more below.

When is a volcano considered active?

active volcano

Based on the data provided by the Global Volcanism Program developed at the Smithsonian Institution, which aims to study and document the volcanoes found on Earth, A volcano is considered active when it has shown signs of eruptive activity during the last ten thousand years.

Another aspect that can indicate that it is active is the presence of fumaroles, a mixture of gases and vapors that come out of the cracks of the volcano at very high temperatures. In addition to this, deformations can also appear on the earth's surface, increase in temperatures or records of seismic movements.

when a volcano does not show activity for a long period of time, it is considered inactive, although the possibility of a possible eruption is never ruled out. These eruptions can occur in the future, which is why they are considered dormant volcanoes.

Another type of volcano that can be found are the extinct, in this group are classified those volcanoes that showed activity in the past but have now lost their source of magma, that is, it is extinct.

Geologists and volcanologists find this classification somewhat controversial since, in the long term, always referring to a geological and not a human scale, The state of these geological formations cannot be determined with certainty.

How many volcanoes exist in the world?

volcano crater

Based on data managed by the United States Geological Survey, There are 1350 active volcanoes in the world today.Of this amount, 500 have been active during the last 12000 years. In the United States they estimate that there are 161 volcanoes that have assets.

In our country, Spain, there are more than a hundred volcanoes scattered throughout the map. We will all remember how last year the volcano located in the Cumbre Vieja Natural Park was activated, creating kilometers of lava rivers and destroying everything that crossed its path.

Not only in the Canary Islands can you find these natural phenomena, but also in Girona where you can see one of the most spectacular landscapes in the area with about 40 volcanic pussies. One of the most famous volcanoes is Teide, which is not only a volcano but the highest peak in Spain.

Parts of a volcano

volcano parts

Source: https://ar.pinterest.com/

Thanks to the studies carried out in volcanology, we can know the different parts of which a volcano is composed. All, although they are different in terms of shape or size, elements in common can be observed.

La magma chamber, is one of the most important parts of a volcano. This chamber is a large deposit of molten rock, also called magma, which is located under the earth's crust and in which high pressures occur. This pressure is what causes a breakage of the rocks that surround it. If this crack we are talking about is directed towards the earth's surface, it will cause an eruption of the volcano. If, on the other hand, this mass of magma cools before it reaches the surface, it will create a large mass rock.

Another element in common that all volcanoes have are the volcanic vents. These chimneys are a vertical conduit connecting the magma chamber with the surface. This magma can travel up to 200 km and make its way through the weakest areas of the crust to come to the surface.

La opening that volcanoes have, is what we know as a crater. It is the zone of the chimney that is in contact with the surface and through which the magma is expelled from the interior of the volcano to the terrestrial zone.

When a volcano erupts, a certain amount of materials accumulates on the sides of the crater, this is called a volcanic cone. They accumulate not only lava, but also ashes and pyroclasts.

El material that is expelled from the interior of the volcano is lava, a liquid rock because of high temperatures. After its expulsion, the lava forms rivers known as lava flows.

All the density currents, are another of the elements that many volcanoes have in common. Are gas flows and other solid elements that are located at ground level and they travel at high speeds and at temperatures that can reach a thousand degrees. These currents pose a great threat since they have a high destructive power.

If a volcano erupts, the most normal thing is that they form ash or volcanic clouds. These clouds are made up of tiny pieces of rock, eruption gases, and volcanic glass.

Finally, one of the elements that appear with the eruption of a volcano are the volcanic bombs. Fragments of more than 64 millimeters, which leave the volcano in a viscous state but when they cool down and before reaching the ground they can fly several kilometers away.

most active volcanoes in the world

Next, we are going to show you what they are some of the world's most active volcanoes and where they are.

Erta Ale Volcano – Ethiopia

Erta Ale Volcano

Source: https://www.nationalgeographic.com.es/

A lake of lava ejected from the summit of the Erta Ale volcano in Ethiopia. It is the most active volcano in this region.

Etna volcano – Sicily

Etna volcano

Source: https://www.nationalgeographic.es/

Flames, smoke and ash is what emanates from this volcano in southern Italy, on the east coast of Sicily. Is he most active volcano in Europe.

Fagradalsfjall volcano – Iceland

Fagradalsfjall volcano

Source: https://www.rtve.es/

The last eruption of this volcano was of low intensity, but forced the closure of nearby roads. The population was advised not to go near the place to avoid gas poisoning or more serious problems.

Nyiragongo Volcano – Virunga Mountains

Nyiragongo volcano

Source: https://www.elconfidencial.com/

Located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. this volcano, hosts one of the largest lava lakes with about 200 meters in diameter and kilometers deep.

Old Summit – La Palma

old summit

Source: https://es.wikipedia.org/

Two fissures, with several mouths that expelled lava up to 400 meters high. A volcano with violent activity which caused great economic losses.

Popocatepetl Volcano – Mexico

Popocatepetl volcano

Source: https://www.elsoldemexico.com.mx/

He woke up again in the year 2018 with a column of more than 3 kilometers of height of eruption. The expulsion of materials from its interior reached a distance of two kilometers, even reaching several municipalities.

Rabaul Volcano – Gazelle Peninsula

Rabaul volcano

Source: https://es.m.wikipedia.org/

Located in Papua New Guinea, the last known eruption of this volcano was in 2014 with a duration of 3 months. One was recorded major eruption with lava explosions and ash plumes.

Anak Krakatoa Volcano – Indonesia

Krakatoa Volcano

Source: https://www.20minutos.es/

The eruption of this Indonesian volcano took place in July 2018 and lasted until April 2020. Two years of intense activity that in its eruption caused the rise of a wave almost 100 meters high, which could have caused irreparable damage.

Kilauea Volcano – Hawaii

Kilauea volcano

Source: https://elpais.com/

From December 2020 to May 2021, the eruption period of this volcano in Hawaii lasted. After a strong earthquake, this great natural phenomenon erupted leaving rivers of lava in its wake and clouds of red smoke.

Masaya Volcano – Nicaragua

Masaya Volcano

Source: https://www.elconfidencial.com/

In Nicaragua, this 594-meter-high volcano is located, whose last eruption took place in October 2015 and continued until August 2021. It is one of the seven most active volcanoes in the country.

These are some of the most active, but on this map you can see all the volcanoes on the planet. We have pointed out some of the most current and important active volcanoes, but as we have indicated in previous sections there are 1350 active volcanoes currently on the earth's surface.

volcanoes map

Source: Interactive Map

Few natural elements can pose a threat to living things like volcanoes. They seem to be in a state of calm, until the force of nature makes an appearance and rivers of lava emerge from their chimneys, which are a spectacle but also have very negative consequences for society and nature.


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