Volcanoes   - geological formations on the surface of the earth's crust, through which magma emerges. The name comes from the Roman god of fire - Vulcan. Today there are more than 1000 active volcanoes on the planet. Next we will introduce you to the classification of volcanoes, tell you where the majority of them are and what are considered the highest and most famous.

Volcanoes: Interesting Facts

There is a large classification of volcanoes. So, all volcanoes of the world   are divided into 3 types:
   By species (thyroid, stratovolcano, slag cones, domes);
   By location (ground, land, underwater);
   By activity (extinct, sleeping, acting).

Each volcano consists of the following parts:
   The main crater;
   The lateral crater;
   The Mouth.



  Some volcanoes spew not lava. There are also mud volcanoes, geysers belong to the post-volcanic formations.

Where are the volcanoes of the world

Most volcanoes are located in the Andes, Indonesia, Iceland, Hawaii and Kamchatka. However, they are located not chaotically, but in strictly defined zones:
   Most of the volcanoes are located in the zone called the Pacific volcanic fire ring: in the Andes, Cordillera, Kamchatka, as well as in the Philippines and New Zealand. There are almost all active volcanoes   of the world's land - 328 out of 540.
   Another zone of location is the Mediterranean folded belt, which includes the Mediterranean Sea (Santorini, Etna, Vesuvius) and stretches to Indonesia, where almost all the powerful eruptions of the world occurred: Tambora in 1815 and Krakatoa in 1883.
   The Mid-Atlantic Ridge forming whole volcanic islands. Bright examples: Canary Islands, Iceland.

Active volcanoes of the world

Most of the active volcanoes are located in the above zones. Often volcanoes erupt in Iceland, periodically recalls the highest volcano of Europe - Etna. Others, which are especially widely known:
   Popocatepetl, located near Mexico City;
   Vesuvius;
   Mauna Loa;
   Nyiragongo (DR Congo), famous for its huge lake of boiling lava, located in the crater.

Extinct volcanoes of the world

Often volcanoes complete active eruptions. Some of them are considered extinct, others are considered asleep. Extinct volcanoes of the world   located throughout the planet, including the Andes, which is the highest volcano in the world - (6893 meters), as well as a mountain of volcanic origin Aconcagua (the main peak of South America).

Often extinct volcanoes   are used as observatories, for example, Mauna Kea in the Hawaiian Islands, in the crater of which 13 telescopes are installed. By the way, it is Mauna Kea that is recognized as the highest volcano in general, if you consider the underwater part that its height is 10 205 meters.

The most famous volcanoes of the world

Stories of terrible eruptions, destroying whole cities and destroying the islands heard everything. Here we will tell about:
   Vesuvius, this small volcano in Italy (1281 m) destroyed the city of Pompeii. This moment is even captured in Briullov's painting "The Last Day of Pompeii".
   Etna - the highest volcano   in Europe, which periodically erupts. The last eruption took place in May 2015.
   Krakatau is a volcano in Indonesia, the eruption of which in 1883 was equal to the explosion of 10,000 atomic bombs. Now in its place is a new volcano - Anak-Krakatau.
   Tambora. In 1815, the most powerful eruption of our time took place, as a result of which a volcanic winter came (atmospheric pollution with ashes), and in 1816 it was a year without summer.
   Santorini, who destroyed the Minoan civilization and destroyed an entire island in the Mediterranean Sea.
   Mont-Pele in Martinique, in a few minutes, destroyed the port of Saint-Pierre. 36,000 people were killed
   The Yellowstone caldera is a potential super volcano whose eruption can change the world map.
   Kilimanjaro is the highest point in Africa.

The beauty and majesty of a large volcano always attracted a man. The power of the acting giant is not exaggerated - the enveloping ashes for many kilometers of ash and fiery lava that burns everything in its path are described in many books and shown on television. The higher and higher the volcano, the more destruction it can bring in the event of an eruption.

In the modern world, scientists can predict the activity of an active volcano, thereby avoiding many victims, but the strength and duration of the "fiery breath of nature" can sometimes not be calculated. The greatest interest among people is caused by the highest, large volcanoes, created at the junction of tectonic plates. In this list are those that have the highest altitude above sea level.

Tungurahua

The height of the giant volcano, located on the territory of Ecuador, 5023m. above sea level. The name stands for "fire throat". Since 1999, the volcano has become particularly active, in connection with which it was decided to evacuate all nearby villages. A large eruption was recorded in 2012 and in 2014, because of which the local authorities introduced an orange level of danger. Throwing ash to a height of almost 10km. several large settlements populated a distance of more than 150 km. A small activity of Tungurahua is also taking place at the present time.

Another giant from Ecuador. In the local dialect, it means "awe-inspiring". This majestic and beautiful volcano has a height of 5230m. According to scientific data, the volcano with three craters, whose diameter is more than 100 meters, was formed more than 14,000 years ago. The very first large eruption was recorded in 1628. Since the 30s of the last century, the Sangai is constantly erupting. Last activity was in 2007. To date, climb to the top of the volcano offers only a few travel companies, since the volcano is considered active and from time to time overthrown. Still, lovers add to life the adrenaline are always there. Part of the way is overcome on the car, the rest on special mules. Rise takes 2-3 days.

The volcano with a height of 5426m., Is active. Location - Mexico. An uneasy funny name translates as "smoking hill". Around the volcano densely settled villages and cities with a total population of 20 million. human. The last mention of any activity of the volcano was in 1994. But in 1947, the eruption of the volcano threw so many ash that covered them all within a radius of 30 km. It is very popular with tourists and lovers of real, virgin nature.

Active volcano with a height of 5822m. located in the territory of Peru. The volcano has three huge craters, the largest diameter is 130 m. Especially strong activity in the 15th century brought a lot of troubles to the nearby Arequipa city, later called "white city". The local population is called the mountain of the sacred, the mountain of the gods. In 1998, at the foot of the volcano, archaeologists discovered several Inca mummies and valuable artifacts. There are many mystical stories connected with the volcano. Periodic explosive eruptions for the last hundred years are not scared away, but rather attracted a lot of tourists. The peak of the tourist season falls on May-September, when the top of the volcano is not covered with snow. For the most fearless, there is a descent into one of the craters.

The highest point in Africa (5895m above sea level) belongs to the active volcano. Kilimanjaro is mentioned in many feature films and literature, considered one of the most beautiful and popular.

Officially recorded eruptions of giant giant is not available, but local residents claim that 200 years ago the volcano behaved quite aggressively. Kilimanjaro is in great demand among tourists, as climbing the mountain is quite simple and does not require special skills. Unfortunately, the famous "snow cap" has recently melted, for the last 100 glaciers have decreased by 80%, which certainly causes alarm.

The volcano with a height of 5911 m. is on the list of the largest active volcanoes of the planet. Since 1738 the volcano erupted a little less than 50 times, and the last severe eruption   recorded last year on August 15. From the archives of descriptions of the volcano of Cotopaxi, the destructive eruption of 1768 is mentioned - "in the middle of spring a huge column of steam and ash rose from the volcano's breathing hole, and a fiery lava poured in a few days. At the same time, a terrible earthquake began. The nearby city of Latakunga was completely destroyed. " Today Cotopaxi is called "the visiting card of Ecuador". To conquer the summit of the volcano, hundreds of inveterate climbers come here. But local authorities do not welcome this, because of the constant melting of glaciers, many accidents have been recorded.

San Pedro

Giant active volcano   is located on the edge of the Atacama Desert in Chile. The height of the volcano above sea level is 6145m. The last activity was celebrated in 1960. There are no tourist routes. Every moment can create a real danger for the inhabitants of a nearby settlement.

The height is 6310 m. The highest point of Ecuador. Today it is considered extinct, but about 5-7 centuries of our era erupted from itself tons of fiery lava. Absolutely the whole top of the volcano is covered with glaciers. As a result of the impact of global warming, the glacier has greatly diminished in size. In clear weather, the volcano can be seen at a distance of 150 km. Chimborazo has great popularity among tourists and mountaineers. Some of them claim that they hear in some places how the volcano is boiling. You can conquer the summit of Chimborazo at any time of year, as the air temperature on the slopes remains the same in winter and summer.

Leader among active volcanoes. Height above sea level is 6739m. The eruption recorded in 1877 was the last. The top of the volcano is covered by glaciers, and he is located among the most arid desert on earth - Atacama. The unique excavations carried out on the top of the volcano helped to determine that the found corpses of Inca children buried more than 500 years ago speak of the sacredness of this mountain. Local Indians nicknamed the volcano "deceiver", not trusting his calm. The snow line of the volcano is at the highest point in the world, having overcome the height of 6,5 tons. meters. The lucky ones, who managed to climb the top of the volcano, are given the opportunity to enjoy the enchanting and majestic views of mountain ranges and unique landscapes.

The highest volcano in the world covers both Chile and Argentina. The height of the champion of our rating is 6887m. above sea level. The volcano is also unique because in the crater itself, at an altitude of 6390m. is the highest lake in the world. During the whole history of the observation, the volcanic activity was not very active, although in the last century several emissions of sulfur and water vapor were recorded. From Chile, near the volcano is the city of Copiano. The city is fully breathing the tourist life, meeting with every year a large number of climbers and ordinary travelers. At the foot of the summit itself, which can only be reached by the most experienced tourists, traces of the Inca habit were found. This find again reminds us of the special attitude of the ancient Indians towards the greatness and sacredness of nature.

The record for the most terrible, devastating volcanic eruption belongs to Tambor, located in Indonesia. In 1815, after a most powerful explosion, the eruption lasted almost two weeks. Within a radius of 500 kilometers for four days, there was pitch darkness because of the ejected ash. According to the Government of Indonesia, more than 70,000 people died in that catastrophe.

On the territory of our country the champion in height is the volcano Klyuchevskaya Sopka. Its height is 4835m. above sea level. The last small eruption was recorded in August 2013.

The volcano is a miracle of the world, created by nature itself. To admire the majestic mountain, with its snow-capped peaks and bottomless craters it is possible constantly. The likely danger that an active volcano carries in itself has long been a subject of curiosity and popularity among tourists. But the beauty and power of natural phenomena should be respected, for good reason the ancient Indians called the volcanoes "sacred mountain".

Volcanoes - this is the place where magma comes to the surface of the planet. It's simple. But up to now this is almost an unexplored natural element, which causes great destruction to human settlements, but at the same time it is a spectacle that can not but fascinate. Particularly beautiful and dangerous are the large volcanoes that everyone should be aware of.

10. Mauna Loa - a volcano in the Pacific Ocean on the island of Hawaii, is known for its truly gigantic dimensions, its height reaches 4170 meters, but the volume of the constituent material is 80,000 cubic kilometers. The last volcanic eruption occurred in 1984.

9. Tahumulko - the highest point of Central America and Guatemala, 4220 meters above sea level. It has two peaks: a young one on the western part of the cone, and an old one on the eastern side. To date, the volcano is asleep, there is not even information about the recent eruptions.

8. Rainier - volcano, located in the state of Washington, the height of 4392 meters. It is the highest point of the Cascade Mountains. The volcano is asleep, the last small eruption was in 1854, but activity was manifested until 1894.

7. Klyuchevskaya Sopka is an active volcano with a height of 5000 meters. Located in the east of the Kamchatka peninsula, it is in constant activity: in 2010, it threatened air aviation.

6. Sangai - a volcano on the slope of the Andes in Ecuador. Height above sea level - 5230 meters. The basis of the mountain is ancient volcano, but the upper part - the young rocks that make up the cone. Since 1728, he constantly threw ash and vapors, the last eruption was in 1975.

5. Nevado del Huila - a volcano with a height of 5365 meters is located in Colombia, and is the highest point of the country. Until 2007, the volcano was considered invalid, as it was inactive for more than 500 years, but then began to exhibit insignificant seismic activity.

4. Orizaba - a tourist attraction of Mexico, this is the most high mountain   countries. Its height is 5700 meters, and the last eruption of the volcano occurred in 1687. The highest activity of the volcano occurred in the XVI-XVII century.

3. Cotopaxi (Cotopashi) is the most active volcano   Ecuador, since 1738, it erupted more than 50 times. The last eruption in 1976. Its height is 5897 meters, above 4700 meters is covered by glaciers. Interestingly, in form, it is almost an ideal cone.

An ordinary person does not see a big difference between "extinct" and "sleeping" volcanoes. In fact, the differences are very significant, because the conditionally "sleeping" volcanic formation can suddenly awaken, and then it will not seem to anybody.

Another thing - they are completely safe, what actively use travel companies and lovers of outdoor activities. What are the main features of extinct volcanoes?

Physics volcanic eruption - how it becomes extinct

The eruption is due to the presence in the magma of not only water vapor, but also various gases: hydrogen chloride and fluoride, sulfur oxides and, methane, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, etc.

In the "sleeping" volcano, the concentration of gases dissolved in the magma corresponds to the level of pressure under which the magma is at a certain depth. Thus, the state of equilibrium is maintained.

However, because of earthquakes that shift the areas of the cortex, there may be a decrease in pressure, for example, near the magma chamber. The equilibrium state is violated and the gases immediately increase in volume due to the transition to the gaseous state.

Foaming magma begins to move upward, which leads to an even greater drop in pressure, and hence to acceleration of the process of gas evolution from magma.

Accordingly, the probability of its awakening tends to zero.

List of known extinct volcanoes of the world

Volcanoes, which pose no threat, are located on all seven continents: in the Americas, Asia, Africa, Europe, Antarctica and Australia.

To date, there are over two hundred extinct volcanoes in the world. The most typical representatives of this type are presented below.

Rocky

This extinct volcano is located on the peninsula of Kamchatka, in the heart of the Median ridge. The highest point of the volcano is at a height of 1759 meters above sea level.

According to geologists, the last time Kamenisty showed activity about two and a half million years ago. The volcano formed lava flows and pyroclastic rocks. The volcanic form in the form of a gently sloping cone does not end with a crater, eroded by erosion, but with a steep apex.

Arayat

It is located on Luzon, the largest island in the Philippines. The highest point is 1025 meters.

The last eruption occurred, most likely, about 10 thousand years ago. Despite the erosion that hit the northern and western parts of the crater, it still survived on top.

Demavend (Damavand)

It is located in the Iranian province of Mazandiran and is the highest point of the Elburs mountain system (5620 meters above sea level). The last eruption was recorded around 5350 BC.

Demavend has the form of a shallow cone and rises above Elburz for one and a half kilometers. The volcanic cone arose from andesitic lava, but on the slopes there are also glaciers.

Sajama

It is located in Bolivia, in the Central Andes. The highest point above sea level is 6542 meters. Sahama is part of the homonymous National Park, located near the Chilean border.

The exact date of the last activity is not known reliably, but many scientists insist on the epoch of the Quaternary period of Holocene, ie. about 12 thousand years ago.

Sahama is a classic stratovolcano in the form of a cone, composed of hardened lava and its debris. At an altitude of more than 6,000 meters, it never covers melting snow and ice.

Aconcagua

It is considered the highest extinct volcano considered to be located all in the same Andes, but already in Argentine territory. The summit is located at around 6961 meters above sea level.

Aconcagua, he is considered not only a record holder among his brethren, but also the highest point of the southern and western hemispheres. For these merits, he even got on the list of the highest peaks of six parts of the world "Seven Peaks".

Aconcagua is also one of the oldest volcanic formations on the planet.

The exact date is unknown, but many scientists come to the conclusion that it originated about 150 million years ago.

Excursions to extinct volcanoes

The traditional excursion lasts 1-2 days and implies either a climb to the tops on helicopters, or a foot climb.

Some volcanoes are even equipped with special areas where tourists can arrange a halt and enjoy the natural views opening from high altitudes.

Extinct volcanoes are not only a living reminder of the great power of nature.

Thanks to their a large number   anywhere in the world, anyone can organize an appropriate tour and get an unforgettable experience.