TOP 10 largest volcanoes on the planet

All volcanoes on our planet, despite their danger, are magnificent and beautiful. Active volcanoes look especially beautiful at night. But this is a very dangerous beauty, causing great destruction and death to everything around. Nothing can resist the power of stones, ash, hot volcanic gases, pyroclastic flows, volcanic bombs, lava.

There are many examples in history when a person became convinced of the incredible destructive power of volcanoes. The article will focus on the largest volcanoes in the world. The degree of their activity is different - from active to conditionally sleeping.

Sangai

Opens the Sangai Volcano rating. The height of this beautiful giant is 5,230 meters, and it is located in Ecuador. At its top there are 3 craters. The diameter of each of them is from 50 to 100 meters. Currently in South America it is the most hectic and youngest volcano.

His first eruption occurred in 1628, and the last occurred in 2007. To date, Sangai activity is rated as moderate. At this place is the National Park of the same name. Tourists can climb to the top of this volcano.

Popocatepetl

Next in the ranking is the Popocatepetl volcano with a height of 5,455 meters. It is located on the Mexican Highlands, 60 km from Mexico City. Being in a calm state, it is still shrouded in a cloud of ash and gases. And around the densely populated areas. This is the danger of this giant. On March 27, 2016, his last eruption was recorded. On that day, a kilometer column of ash was ejected. This all stopped, Popokatepetl calmed down the next day. The Mexican giant is an incredible threat to millions of people.

Elbrus

Large volcanoes exist in Europe. It is about Elbrus, located in the North Caucasus. Its height is 5,642 meters. In Russia, this peak is considered the largest and is one of the seven highest peaks of the planet.

Opinions of scientists on the activity of Elbrus diverge. Some consider the volcano to be extinct, some as extinct. Now this handsome man often becomes the center of small earthquakes.

Orisaba

Orizaba is Mexico's highest peak, with a height of 5,675 meters. In 1687, he erupted for the last time. Orisaba is currently a sleeping volcano. Climbing to its top, you can see stunning panoramic views. A reserve has been created around the giant. This is done to protect him.

Misty

The sixth place on the list belongs to the volcano Misti, whose height is 5,822 meters. It is located in the south of Peru and is active. In 1985, the last eruption was recorded. An increase in fumarole activity was observed in January 2016, when gas and steam holes appeared on its slopes. It is they who always become the first indicators of the upcoming eruption.

Not far from the inner crater in 1998, archaeologists found 6 mummies of the ancient Incas. 17 kilometers from here is the city of Arequipa, which has a second name - "White City". And all because many of the buildings here are built from pyroclastic flows of Misty, which are white.

Kilimanjaro

Closes the top five - Kilimanjaro. On the African continent - this is the maximum point, the height of which is 5,895 meters. Scientists say it is potentially active. Currently, cases of gas emissions are recorded, and there is also a high probability of a crater collapse, which can subsequently provoke a volcanic eruption.

There is no documentary evidence of the activities of Kilimanjaro to date.But the locals convey the legend that 200 years ago there was an eruption of this natural miracle.

Cotopaxi

Cotopaxi Volcano is in fourth place on our list. In Ecuador, this is the second highest peak. The height of this active volcano is 5,897 meters. In 1534 his first activity was recorded. From that time until today, more than 50 cases of volcano activity have occurred. In August 2015, the last major eruption occurred.

San pedro

The San Pedro volcano located in Chile is considered active and ranks third in the rating. Its height is 6,145 meters. In 1960, the last eruption of San Pedro.

Mauna Loa

The current Mauna Loa has a height of 6,205 meters. It is located in the Hawaiian Islands and was formed about 700 thousand years ago. On the planet it is the largest volcano in volume. It holds about 32 km3. magmas. His last eruption, which occurred in 1984, lasted almost a month. During this time, enormous damage was caused to the environment and local residents.

Lulhaillaco

Among the huge volcanoes in the first place is the active Ljulyayljako. It is located on the border of Chile and Argentina, and its height is 6 739 meters.

In 1877, the last eruption of Ljulyayljako took place. At present, it periodically releases water vapor and sulfur dioxide, i.e. he is in the solfatar stage.

During the first ascent of the volcano, which occurred in 1952, a sanctuary of the ancient Incas was discovered. A little later, archaeologists on the slopes of the volcano found three children's mummies. It is believed that they were sacrificed to the gods.

In conclusion, I would like to note the supervolcano. It is located in the USA, in Yellowstone National Park. This is the Yellowstone Caldera. Its dimensions are 75 km to 55 km. For half a million years, he did not show activity. According to scientists, more than 8 km of magma were collected in the bowels of the volcano. Throughout its history, it erupted 3 times and each time, at the site of the eruption, the face of the Earth completely changed, as well as major disasters were observed. The existence of our civilization may be in jeopardy after another such eruption.