Volcanoes are natural phenomena that occur when magma from inside the Earth reaches the surface. These situations occur in certain places and at certain times. It mainly depends on the location of the fault and whether it is active or dormant volcanoes. So not all volcanoes are the same, they have different shapes, different types of lava and different eruptions with different powers. The most explosive are often considered the most dangerous volcanoes in the world.
In this article we are going to tell you which are the most dangerous volcanoes in the world and what their characteristics are.
Characteristics of volcanoes
Remember, the appearance of volcanoes is not accidental. Its location is usually determined by the rupture of tectonic plates, the different parts that make up the lithosphere. These plates are in motion as they float on the liquid mantle inside the Earth. When they collide with each other, or when one separates from the other, magma is created in addition to the resulting movement. Magma is the hot liquid that forms the interior of the mantle. At high temperatures, it tends to look for exits, eventually allowing it to use any available space in the Earth's crust to reach the surface. When that happens, that's when volcanoes are born.
However, the volcano eruption is not a continuous eruption of magma. Every time a volcano spews magma from its interior, an eruption is said to have occurred. The eruptions depend mainly on the internal activities of the Earth. In this way, we can find active and inactive volcanoes depending on the frequency of volcanic eruptions. Logically, the most dangerous volcanoes on Earth would be active volcanoes, since they are more likely to produce magma eruptions that can damage the nearby environment.
However, that does not mean that dormant volcanoes do not have this possibility, since the pillars that let the magma escape are always there. Also, volcanoes tend to have more spectacular eruptions after prolonged periods of inactivity because they take place in larger volumes of magma that have been retained for a longer time.
The most dangerous volcanoes in the world and their activity data
Vesubio mont
This volcano is located on the coast of Italy, very close to the city of Naples. It is a famous volcano since the XNUMXst century AD It was responsible for the burial of the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Currently, it is considered a quiet volcano. Which is more dangerous than anything else, as scientists say that volcanoes that erupt over long periods of time have a higher potential for damage.
Mount Etna
Another large volcano in Italy is Mount Etna, located in Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea. In 1669, a volcanic eruption hit the largest city in the region, Catania. In 1992, another similar eruption destroyed much of the island, but luckily it did not reach the city.
nyiragongo
This volcano is located in the Congo. It is one of the most active volcanoes today. Dozens of people died when the volcano erupted in 1977. Also, in 2002, the last outbreak, 45 people died in addition to destroying many buildings in nearby towns.
Merap
This volcano in Indonesia is one of the most active volcanoes on the entire planet. Volcanologists have calculated that its activity causes it to erupt every 10 years or so. In 2006, the last eruption killed thousands of people who lived nearby.
papandayan
Another volcano, also located in Indonesia, is almost as active as Mount Merapi. Its last eruption was in 2002, causing damage to large swathes of the border. As well as the displacement of many who live nearby, although the physical damage is much less.
Mount teide
It is a volcano located on the Canary Island of Tenerife (Spain). Currently, it is classified as a dormant volcano. However, when it wakes up, it could have catastrophic consequences for the entire island, volcanologists say. We cannot forget that the Canary Islands are made up of volcanic islands, which gives us an idea of the power of this phenomenon.
sakura jima
This volcano is located in Japan, especially on the island of Kyushu. It is an active volcano and last erupted in 2009. In addition to the dangers posed by the volcano's own presence, we are talking about areas with a very high proportion of the population, which also increases the risk that the volcano will hinder work of evacuation.
Popocatepetl
Located in Mexico, just 70 kilometers from the Federal District, the volcano is a real threat considering the population of this megacity. In fact, Popocatepetl is just one of more than 20 volcanoes spread across the Aztec National Geographic, and because it sits between several highly active tectonic plates, it is noted for its intense seismic activity.
Black Sierra
To wrap up our review of the world's most dangerous volcano, we still have to mention the Sierra Negra in the Galapagos Islands. It is one of the most active volcanoes on Earth and its last eruption occurred in 2005. In this case, we do not have to talk about the risk it poses to humans, because the Galapagos Islands are not very densely populated. However, they constitute an ecosystem of enormous biodiversity that is constantly threatened by this natural phenomenon.
Eyjafjallajokull
The Eyjafjallajökull volcano, a titan over 1.600 meters above sea level, rests on a glacier and has been active for the last 8.000 years. It has had different eruptions over the centuries, the most prominent being the last eruption in 2010. The emissions have kept northern Europe in check, unable to operate due to the suspension of the ash volcano, forcing the cancellation of hundreds of flights for days. If you want to explore this great mountain, you can follow the route on the south coast of Iceland.
Iztaccihuatl
In the Izta-Popo Zoquiapan National Park, there is also one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world called Iztaccihuatl. It is said that the two giants that crown this natural enclave are two aboriginal lovers who suffered a tragic love story.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about the most dangerous volcanoes in the world.