Volcanoes location. Active volcanoes in Russia. Active volcanoes of the world

A volcano is a geological formation that is located on cracks earth's crust. Through it they come to the surface volcanic rocks, lava, ash, steam and poisonous gases. Scientists are sure that every year 3 new volcanoes appear on our planet. Their total number is huge. More than 600 of them are active active volcanoes. They are found in different parts of the world and pose a serious danger to all living things.

Active volcanoes in Russia

Not all fire-breathing mountains are on land. They are often located underwater. This does not prevent their eruption at all. Fortunately, the most dangerous volcanoes are located far beyond the borders of our country, but we also have such dangerous hills. In this article, we will introduce you to lava-spewing mountains located in our country and abroad that can be dangerous to human life.

Klyuchevsky volcano

It is located near the Bering Sea. This is the most large volcano Russia. This is a whole complex consisting of 12 cones. The height of the volcano is 4750 meters. It has a crater with a diameter of more than half a kilometer. The mountain has a perfect cone shape. Active volcanoes They constantly emit acrid smoke, which can be seen above the Klyuchevsky crater. Sometimes you can see splashes of lava. Volcanologists believe that it appeared more than 5,000 years ago. Over the past three centuries he has been revived more than 50 times. The most powerful eruptions date back to the 19th century.

Volcano Tolbachik

The Klyuchevskaya group includes several volcanoes. One of them is Tolbachik. Its height is 3682 meters. Experts classify it as Hawaiian type volcanoes. It has two cones - Sharp and Flat. Its diameter is about 2 kilometers. Last eruption it was in 1976. It is considered the highest in Eurasia.

Ichinskaya Sopka

There are active volcanoes in Russia in Kamchatka. In the center of the peninsula is the Ichinskaya Sopka. This volcano has three cones, they are covered with glaciers, except one, which is active. Its height reaches 3621 meters.

Kronotskaya Sopka

The next mountain spewing lava is located in the east of Kamchatka. Its height is 3528 meters. It is considered to be one of the most large volcanoes Russia. It erupts quite rarely. At its very top you can see ice, and forests grow at its base. Near the volcano there is the famous Valley of Geysers and Kronotskoye Lake.

Koryaksky volcano

Its highest cone reaches a height of 3456 meters. By its type it belongs to stratovolcanoes. Still in the valley Koryak Hill they find remains of lava and loose rocks.

Volcano Shiveluch

In the north of Kamchatka there is another volcano known to specialists. It's called Shiveluch. The mountain has two cones - Old Shiveluch and Young Shiveluch. The last one is still active. Its height is 3283 meters. This big volcano erupts quite often. IN last time this was in 1964. Volcanologists are sure that the age of this mountain is more than 60 thousand years.

Volcano Avacha

It is located near Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Its height is 2741 meters, the diameter of the crater is four hundred meters. The top of Avacha is covered with glaciers, and at its base there are dense forests. Its last eruption was recorded in 2001.

Volcano Sishel

It is also located in the north of Kamchatka. Shield volcano with a height of 2525 meters. To this day it is considered active, but the date of the last eruption is not known for certain.

Active volcanoes of the world

These mountains, which spew fire and ash, are dangerous due to their direct impact - the release of thousands of tons of burning lava, which can destroy entire cities. In addition, suffocating volcanic gases, the threat of tsunamis, distortion of the terrain and dramatic climate changes pose a great danger.

Merali (Indonesia)

Active volcanoes on the islands of Indonesia are very dangerous. One of them is Merapi. It is the most active: powerful eruptions occur here every six to seven years, and small ones occur almost every year. Smoke appears over the crater almost every day, reminding local residents of the imminent threat.

Merali is famous for the largest eruption that occurred in 1006. The medieval state of Mataram suffered from it. The danger of the volcano is that it is located near the densely populated city of Yogyakarta.

Sakurajima (Japan)

Readers are often interested in the most active volcanoes. It would be more correct to call them the most active. These include Sakurajima, which has been active since 1955. The last eruption occurred in early 2009. Until last year (2014), the volcano was located on a separate island of the same name, but lava flows solidified and connected it to the Osumi Peninsula. People living in Kagoshima City are accustomed to Sakurajima's behavior and are always ready to take refuge in a shelter.

Cotopaxi (Ecuador)

The highest active volcanoes are in America. The record holder for this is Cotopaxi, located 50 km from the city of Quito. Its height is 5897 m, depth 450 m, crater size 550x800 m. At an altitude of 4700 m, the mountain is covered with eternal snow.

Etna (Italy)

This volcano is well known. It has not one main crater, but many small ones. Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe and is constantly active. Its height is 3380 meters, area is 1250 square kilometers.

Small eruptions occur every few months. Despite this, Sicilians densely populate the slopes of the volcano, since these places have very fertile soil (due to the presence of minerals and trace elements). The last eruption occurred in May 2011, with minor emissions of dust and ash in April 2013.

Vesuvius (Italy)

The active volcanoes of Italy are two other large mountains besides Etna. These are Vesuvius and Stromboli.

In 79, a powerful eruption of Vesuvius destroyed the cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabiae. Their inhabitants were buried under layers of pumice, lava and mud. The strongest eruption occurred in 1944. Then 60 people died, and the cities of Massa and San Sebastiano were completely destroyed. Scientists estimate that Vesuvius destroyed nearby cities 80 times. Many of the world's active volcanoes are not as well studied as this one. Due to this, researchers consider it the most predictable.

The territory of the volcano is protected. This national park, which tourists from all over the world love to visit.

Colima (Mexico)

The active volcanoes of this country are represented in our article by Nevado de Colima. Most of the time the mountain is covered with snow. Colima is very active - it has erupted 40 times since 1576. The strongest eruption occurred in the summer of 2005.

Residents of nearby villages had to be evacuated. The ash column shot up to a height of 5 km, causing a cloud of dust and smoke.

The volcano map shows the most dangerous volcanoes on Earth, which are currently being closely monitored. The following is a description of them with a forecast of possible activity and its consequences. Additionally, volcanoes are marked with a red ring, the eruption of which could have catastrophic consequences for the entire world.

Vesuvius (Italy)

Its proximity to Naples (15 km) makes this volcano deadly for more than three million Italians. It begins its sad fame in the year 79, when the cities of Herculaneum, Stabiae and Pompeii were destroyed during an eruption. Eruptions alternate with fairly long periods of calm. During the XVII – XX centuries. Vesuvius erupted with a period of 30-60 years. The last eruption was recorded in 1944. Scientists are unanimous in the opinion that the “killer of Pompeii” will one day wake up; only the timing and strength of the eruption remain unclear. But this doesn’t seem to bother the frivolous Neapolitans at all.

Galeras (Colombia)

Located near the town of Pasto. The most active volcano in the region. Its activity began about 5 thousand years ago and does not subside to this day. Dangerous eruptions were observed in 2008, 2009, 2010, and each time thousands of people living nearby had to be evacuated.

Galunggung (Indonesia)

Located on the western tip of the island of Java. Its eruptions are very powerful. In 1822, it claimed the lives of 4,000 people, and in 1982 forced the country's authorities to evacuate about 35,000 residents. The last time it erupted was in 1990. It is included in the list of the most dangerous volcanoes on the planet.

Yellowstone Volcano (USA)

It is located in the state of Wyoming, and, fortunately, it is calm today. It has been active several times over the past 2 million years, and its last eruption was more than half a million years ago. The next eruption is expected no earlier than in several tens of thousands of years. This volcano is so huge that if it awakens, the United States will be almost completely destroyed, and the Earth will be covered for a long time with an impenetrable curtain of volcanic ash.

Katla (Iceland)

Located in the very south of Iceland. Over the last thousand years, it has erupted, according to various sources, from 14 to 16 times and caused significant melting of glaciers, leading to the flooding of nearby settlements. It is located near the Eyjafjallajökull volcano, which recently erupted and blocked air traffic in Europe. Experts believe that the eruption of the latter is the starting mechanism for the awakening of the Katla volcano, the destructive potential of which is much greater. The conclusions are also confirmed by the fact that in Lately in the depths of the volcano the level of magma rose noticeably. In this regard, an eruption is expected that will be many times more powerful than the Eyjafjallajökull eruption. If it happens, the consequences could be catastrophic for the entire planet - in addition to the formation of a huge cloud of volcanic ash, there will be melting of glaciers and extensive flooding.

Colima (Mexico)

Located in the state of Jalisco in western Mexico. Last thing major eruption, accompanied by the evacuation of the local population, was registered in 2005. last years The activity of the Colima volcano increases. It is also called the “Mexican Vesuvius”.

Koryakskaya Sopka (RF)

Located 35 km. North of the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Powerful eruptions occurred before our era, as well as in 1895 and 1956. May pose a threat to the population of Kamchatka. It is one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world and is under the close supervision of specialists.

Cumbre Vieija (Canary Islands)

Located on the island of Palma, part of Canary Islands. As a result of numerous volcanic eruptions, the coast of the island has undergone significant erosion. One of the slopes of Cumbre Vieiha is unstable and could collapse as a result of a powerful eruption or a series of small eruptions. The fall of a rock weighing 500 billion tons into the ocean will create a tsunami that will destroy almost the entire east coast of the United States and cause irreparable damage to the countries of the Caribbean. Fortunately, the volcano has not yet shown alarming activity, and the danger of a supertsunami is still hypothetical.

Mauna Loa (USA)

Located on the island of Hawaii. It is the largest volcano on the planet by volume (80,000 cubic kilometers). The nearby Kilaue Volcano is considered one of the most beautiful volcanoes on Earth.

Merapi (Indonesia)

The largest active volcano in Indonesia and one of the youngest in Java. It erupts approximately twice a year, with a fairly violent eruption every seven years. Highly dangerous for nearby people settlements. In 1673 it destroyed several cities, in 1930 it caused the death of 1,300 people, in 1974-75. destroyed three villages.

Nevado del Ruiz (Colombia)

Located in the departments of Tolima and Caldas. The largest active volcano in the Andes. Remains active for about two million years. In 1985, its eruption caused the death of more than 20,000 people. The approaching eruption was announced in advance, but no one heeded the warning due to several false alarms the day before.

Niragongo (Democratic Republic of Congo)

Located in the Virunga Mountains on the border Democratic Republic Congo and Rwanda. The most active and dangerous volcano Africa. Although Niragongo is currently relatively calm, his awakening could be disastrous. Its potential is enormous, and in the event of an eruption, not only Africa, but also Europe and part of Asia may be under the shadow of volcanic ash for a long time.

Pinatubo (Philippines)

Located on the island of Luzon, almost 100 km. From Manila. Until 1991 it was considered extinct. Its awakening was unexpected and rapid - during the eruption in 1991, a US Air Force base was destroyed and about 1,000 people died. The main danger of this volcano is the large-scale release of volcanic ash. In a matter of days, the 1991 eruption released about 10 cubic kilometers of rock into the atmosphere. Then, for several months, the Earth's stratosphere was filled with sulfuric acid aerosol, which led to the formation of a giant ozone hole over Antarctica and a drop in temperature by 0.5 degrees Celsius.

Popocatepetl (Mexico)

Located near Mexico City. During the entire period of the presence of Europeans in America, it showed rather weak activity, but in recent years it has become more active. It poses a huge potential danger due to the proximity of a metropolis of twenty million.

Rainier (USA)

Located 85 kilometers southeast of the city of Seattle. The last eruption was a century and a half ago, but recently the volcano has become more active. If an eruption occurs, the lives of about 200,000 people will be at risk.

Sakurajima (Japan)

Located in Kagoshima Prefecture on the island (originally) Sakurajima. As a result of the 1914 eruption, the strait was filled with lava, and Sakurajima became a peninsula. Its location near the city of Kagoshima, with a population of almost a million, makes this volcano one of the most dangerous on the planet. Probably for the same reason it is called “eastern Vesuvius”. Monitoring it and predicting its activity is one of the main tasks of Japanese geologists.

Santa Maria (Guatemala)

Located near the city of Quetzaltenango. A young and large volcano, whose activity has been growing recently. A major eruption occurred in 1902 and caused the death of 6,000 people. The roar of the explosion was heard at a distance of 800 km.

Tambora (Indonesia)

Located on the island of Sumbawa. It is famous for the fact that its eruption in the spring of 1815 was the largest in the last several thousand years, both in terms of the number of erupted rocks and the number of victims. The eruption released 140 billion tons into the atmosphere. solids, and 10,000 people died immediately. The total number of deaths eventually reached 100,000. In fact, this volcano destroyed the developed and ancient Tambora culture that existed on the island. The ejected ash plunged an area of ​​more than 500 km into complete darkness for three days. from the eruption site. But the consequences extended much further. In Europe and America, extremely low temperatures set in in 1816, and the snow melted only in the summer, which is why the year was called “the year without summer.” Naturally, this led to crop failures and numerous deaths from starvation throughout the world.

Ulawun (Papua New Guinea)

Located in the eastern part of the island of New Britain. Among the most active volcanoes Papua New Guinea is one of the most frequently erupting, which is actually remarkable. It has been known as an active volcano since 1700. In 1937, during an eruption, the capital of the country, located more than 100 km away, was practically covered with ash.

Unzen (Japan)

Located on the Shimabara Peninsula in the southwestern part of Kyushu. Currently, it is weakly active and is considered the most dangerous due to its history. Its eruption in 1792 is one of the most destructive eruptions in the world. The tsunami generated by it, 23 m high, claimed the lives of about 15,000 people.

Etna (Italy)

Located on the eastern tip of the island of Sicily. The most active and highest volcano in Europe. Doesn't spew a large number of lava flows approximately four times a year and, on average, completely destroys one or more nearby settlements once every century and a half. The danger is the tendency of local residents to settle close to Etna due to the extreme fertility of the soil formed as a result of constant eruptions. Numerous lovers of high yields risk one day suddenly dying.

It caused horror in a person. Tons of red-hot lava, molten rocks, and emissions of toxic gases destroyed cities and even entire states. Today, the Earth's volcanoes have not become calmer. Nevertheless, both in the distant past and today, they attract thousands of researchers and scientists from all over the world. The desire to know and understand what happens to the fire-breathing mountain during an eruption, how this process occurs, what precedes it, forces scientists to climb dangerous slopes, approaching the craters where the elements are raging.

Today, volcanological scientists have united into an international organization (IAVCEI). It carefully monitors possible eruptions that could pose a threat to human life. Today there is a list that contains the names of volcanoes, their location and the likelihood of an upcoming eruption. This helps prevent loss of life, evacuate people from the danger zone if necessary, and take emergency measures.

Etna (Italy)

It was not by chance that we decided to start our review with this mountain. the photo of which you see below in the article is active, functioning, one of the largest and most dangerous on Earth. It is located in the east of Sicily, near Catania and Messina.

Its activity is explained by its location at the junction of the Eurasian and African mountains. Other active mountains of the country are located at this break - Vesuvius, Stromboli, Vulcano. Scientists claim that in ancient times (15-35 thousand years ago), the Etna volcano, photos of which are often published in special publications, was distinguished by explosive eruptions that left vast layers of lava. In the 21st century, Etna erupted more than 10 times, fortunately, without loss of life.

It is difficult to accurately determine the height of this mountain, since its highest point changes due to frequent eruptions. They usually happen after a few months. Etna occupies a huge area (1250 sq. km). After lateral eruptions, Etna had 400 craters. On average, the volcano ejects lava every three to four months. It is potentially dangerous in the event of a powerful eruption. Thanks to the latest scientific developments, scientists hope to determine in time increased activity mountains.

Sakurajima (Japan)

Experts consider Earth's volcanoes active if they have been active in the last 3,000 years. This Japanese volcano has been continuously active since 1955. It belongs to the first category. In other words, an eruption could start at any time. A not very strong lava eruption was observed in February 2009. Residents of the city of Kagoshima are almost constantly accompanied by anxiety. Teachings and equipped shelters have become firmly established in their everyday life.

Researchers have installed web cameras above the crater, so Sakurajima is under constant surveillance. It must be said that volcanoes on the islands can change the terrain. This happened in Japan when Sakurajima erupted in 1924. Powerful aftershocks warned the city about the danger, most residents managed to leave their homes and evacuate.

After this, the volcano named Sakurajima (which means “sakura island”) can no longer be called an island. A huge amount of lava formed an isthmus that connected the mountain with the island of Kyushu. And for another year after the eruption, lava slowly flowed out of the crater. The bottom of the bay rose in the center of the Aira caldera, located eight kilometers from Sakurajima.

Aso (Japan)

This popular tourist attraction for extreme sports enthusiasts is actually a dangerous volcano, which in 2011 emitted a large amount of lava and ash, covering an area of ​​100 kilometers. Since that moment, more than 2,500 powerful tremors have been registered. This suggests that at any moment he can destroy a nearby village.

Vesuvius (Italy)

Wherever volcanoes are located - on continents or on islands, they are equally dangerous. Vesuvius is very powerful, and therefore very dangerous. It is one of the three active ones. Scientists have information about 80 major eruptions of this mountain. The worst thing happened in 79. Then the cities of Pompeii, Stabia, and Herculaneum were completely destroyed.

One of the last powerful eruptions noted in 1944. The height of this mountain is 1281 m, the diameter of the crater is 750 m.

Colima (Mexico)

Many of us remember the names of volcanoes (at least some of them) from our school curriculum, we learn about others from newspapers, and only specialists know about others. Colima is perhaps the most dangerous and powerful in the world. It last erupted in June 2005. Then a column of ash ejected from the crater rose to a great height (more than 5 km). Local authorities had to evacuate residents of nearby villages.

This fire-breathing mountain consists of 2 conical peaks. Nevado de Colima is the highest of them. Its height is 4,625 m. It is considered extinct, and the other peak is an active volcano. It is called Volcán de Fuego de Colima - “Fire Volcano”. Its height is 3,846 m. Locals They called him the Mexican Vesuvius.

It has erupted more than 40 times since 1576. And today it is extremely dangerous not only for residents of nearby cities, but for all of Mexico.

Galeras (Colombia)

Often the name of volcanoes is directly related to the area in which the mountain is located. But the name Galeras has nothing to do with the nearby town of Pasto.

It's huge and powerful volcano. Its height reaches 4276 meters. The diameter of the base is more than 20 kilometers, and the diameter of the crater is 320 meters. It is located in Colombia (South America).

At the foot of this giant mountain lies the small town of Pasto. In August 2010, its residents had to be urgently evacuated due to strongest eruption. A state of emergency has been declared in the region. Authorities sent more than 400 police officers to the area to provide assistance to citizens.

Scientists claim that over the past 7 thousand years the volcano has awakened at least 6 times. Moreover, all the eruptions were very powerful. When conducting research work in 1993, six geologists died in the crater. At this time, another eruption began. In 2006, residents of surrounding villages were evacuated due to the threat of a strong lava eruption.

Elbrus Volcano

On the border of Karachay-Cherkessia and Kabardino-Balkaria is located highest point Europe and, of course, Russia - Elbrus. WITH northern part The Greater Caucasus is connected by the Lateral Ridge. Elbrus volcano consists of two peaks that are approximately the same height. Its eastern part reaches 5621 m, and the western part - 5642 m.

This is a cone-shaped stratovolcano. Its layers are formed by flows of tuff, lava, and ash. The last eruptions of Elbrus were recorded 2500 years ago. Over time, it took on its current form. Few volcanoes on Earth can boast such a beautiful, “classic” cone-shaped shape. As a rule, craters are quickly destroyed by erosion. The beauty of Elbrus is protected by its mantle of ice and snow. It doesn’t go down even in summer, which is why the volcano is nicknamed Little Antarctica.

Despite the fact that it has been reminiscent of itself for quite a long time, experts observing its current condition and level of activity do not consider it to be extinct. They call the mountain "sleeping". The volcano is active (fortunately, not destructive yet). Hot masses are still stored in its depths. They “warm up” known sources. Their temperature reaches +52 °С and +60 ºС. Leaks through cracks onto the surface

Today Elbrus is a unique natural area and a valuable scientific base. IN Soviet time were held here Scientific research, and now houses a geophysical laboratory, the highest in Europe.

Popocatepetl (Mexico)

This is the very country, located 50 kilometers from the capital - Mexico City. The city of twenty million is always prepared for emergency evacuation. In addition, two more large cities are located here - Tlaxcala de Xicotencatl and Puebla. This restless volcano also makes their residents nervous. Emissions of sulfur, gas, stones and dust occur almost every month. In the last decade alone, the volcano has erupted three times.

Mauna Loa Volcano (USA, Hawaii)

This is the largest “fire mountain” on Earth by volume. Together with the underwater part, it is 80,000 cubic meters. km! The southeastern slope and summit are part of national park"Hawaiian Volcanoes"

There is a volcanological station on Mauna Loa. Research and constant observations have been carried out since 1912. The solar and atmospheric observatories are also located here.

The last eruption occurred in 1984. The height of the mountain above sea level is 4,169 meters.

Nyiragongo (Congo)

As already noted, the names of volcanoes may not always be known to ordinary citizens living on another continent. This does not make the mountain any less dangerous. Specialists monitor its activities and promptly report increases in activity.

Next on our list is the active volcano Nyiragongo, whose height is 3469 meters. It is located in the central part of the African continent, in the Virunga Mountains. The volcano is considered the most dangerous in Africa. It is partially connected to the more ancient mountains of Shaheru and Baratu. It is surrounded by hundreds of smoldering small volcanic cones. 40% of all observed eruptions on the continent occur here.

Mount Rainier (USA)

Our review list ends with a stratovolcano located in Pierce County (Washington), 87 km south of Seattle.

Rainier is part of the Volcanic Arc. Its height is 4,392 meters. Its top is made up of two volcanic craters.

We have presented to you the most famous volcanoes. The list of them, of course, is incomplete, because, according to scientists, there are more than 600 active mountains alone. In addition, every year 1-2 new volcanoes appear on Earth.

Volcanoes are geological formations that form above cracks in, through which lava, ash, loose rocks, boiling gases and water burst out.

Active volcanoes include those that erupted in historical times or showed other signs of activity (emission of gases and steam, etc.). Some scientists consider active volcanoes that are reliably known to have erupted within the last 10 thousand years.

The largest cluster of active volcanoes in a limited area of ​​the planet is located in the Malay Archipelago - the largest on Earth, located between the continental parts and. On the territory of Russia, the largest number of active volcanoes is in the Kuril Islands and Kamchatka. Approximately 60 volcanoes erupt annually, and about a third of them erupted in the previous year. There is information about 627 volcanoes that have erupted over the past 10 thousand years.