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Volcanic activity is a regular and harsh reminder that the planet we live on features an everchanging geology. Located along the edges of tectonic plates, volcanoes are fissures that
allow the boiling magma, ash, and gases from beneath the earths surface to explode
violently in response to shifts in the tectonic plates.
The mercurial and cataclysmic nature of volcanic eruptions caused many ancient civilizations
to attribute their eruptions to the tempestuous mood swings of the gods. We now have a
more scientific understanding of volcanic eruptions, but they can still be unpredictableand
every bit as deadly as they ever were. Here are 10 of the most dangerous active volcanoes
around the world.
10. Mauna Loa, Hawaii
This volcano in Hawaii has been active for 700,000 years or more. Thankfully many of the
eruptions are slow, but occasionally the lava flows from the volcano are fast and pose a risk
to nearby towns and villages. There is also a continuing potential for dangerous earthquakes.
Taal, Philippines (Mvdelrosario 217Flickr)
This volcano is located on the island of Luzon in the center of Lake Taal. Its proximity to Manila
makes it an ongoing threat to over 1.6 million inhabitants. Since 1572, the volcano has
erupted 33 times. It is recommended that visitors view Taal from a distance, though many
tourists visit the volcanic island each year.
8. Ulawun, Papua New Guinea
This is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. There have been 22 major eruptions
recorded since the 1700s, and nearby residents report that they regularly observe minor
eruptions on an ongoing basis. The structural integrity of Ulawun is questionable; if a major
collapse occurs, the resulting eruption could herald destruction across hundreds of square
kilometers.
7. Mt. Nyiragongo, Democratic Republic of Congo
This dramatic volcano features impressive lakes of lava near its crater. These lakes come and
gosometimes quite destructively. In 1977, a particularly large lake spilled when the lake
wall fractured. Lava flows traveling at 60 mph destroyed nearby villages, killing and injuring
thousands. 147 people died in an eruption as recent as 2002, and another 120,000 lost their
homes.
6. Mt. Merapi, Indonesia
The name of this mountain means Mountain of Fire." It is Indonesias most active volcano, and
it has produced a record amount of lava flow. Measured in terms of flow alone, it is the most
active volcano in the world. It has been active at least 10,000 years. A 2010 eruption killed
353 people and left 320,000 more without homes.
5. Galeras, Columbia
This volcano near the border of Ecuador erupts frequently and has been active an impressively
long time. Scientists estimate the volcano has been erupting for one million years or more.
The first recorded eruption was in 1580. Between 1978 and 1988, Galeras went temporarily
dormant. Since becoming active again, it has behaved ominously, erupting almost every
year since the turn of the millennium. The city of Pasto on its eastern slope is home to
450,000 residents.
4. Sakurajima, Japan
On the list of active volcanoes, Sakurajima is known as the Vesuvius of the East," a reference
to its high level of activity. It used to be separate from the mainland of Japan, but the lava
flows from a 1914 eruption actually created a bridge of land connecting it to the rest of
Japan. Sakurajima produces thousands of small eruptions each year. If a major eruption
occurs, 700,000 residents in the city of Kagoshima will be in immediate danger.
3. Popocatepetl, Mexico
This volcano is just 35 miles away from Mexico City and erupted most recently in 2000. Fortyone thousand people would have been in danger of losing their lives if they had not been
evacuated in time. Nine million people live within the blast radius. If there is ever a major
eruption, it will be a mass catastrophe. This certainly makes Popocatepetl one of the most
dangerous volcanoes on the planet as well as one of the most active.
2. Mt. Vesuvius, Italy
One of the most famous volcanoes on the planet is Mt. Vesuvius. Anyone who has attended a
high-school history class knows about the famous, catastrophic eruption in 79 AD which
destroyed the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The volcanic ash preserved the two sites,
making them some of the best known archaeological digs on earth. Vesuvius has an eruption
cycle of roughly every 20 years. The last eruption was in 1944, so the mountain is overdue
for its next eruption. Three million people are located not only within the blast radius, but
close to the crater. This is another volcano which poses a serious risk to an incredible
number of people.
1. Yellowstone National Park, USA
The number one volcano on our list of active volcanoes is the Yellowstone Caldera. The
national parks active volcanic caldera attracts something on the order of three million
visitors per year. Its hot springs and geysers are beautiful to behold, but they are also
potentially deadly. Yellowstone is a supervolcano. In fact, the last known major eruption of a
supervolcano happened in Yellowstone 640,000 years ago. If Yellowstone were to blow, it is
estimated that 87,000 people would be killed instantly. The entire western USA would be
devastated, and the ash would also impact ecology and human health throughout the
country and the world. The explosion would be a worldwide catastrophe of unparalleled
proportions, and there is no way to predict how far its ramifications would extend.
We may no longer attribute the explosions of volcanoes to the whims of angry gods, but we
hold the same respect for them as our ancestors didor at least we need to, if we want to
keep people safe who live within their blast radiuses. The magnitude of damage volcanoes
can cause is tremendous, but they are also an important mark of our living geology. The
better geologists come to understand volcanoes, the better equipped we will be to predict
their explosions and protect major population centers, even while appreciating their
dangerous majesty.
Top Ten Most Active Volcanoes in the Philippines
The Philippines, being part of the so-called Pacific ring of Fire, has numerous volcanoes
and there are scores of active volcanoes in the country. Here are the most active volcanoes
in the Philippines.
The Philippines, being part of the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, has numerous volcanoes and
there are scores of active volcanoes in the country. Here are the most active volcanoes in
the Philippines.
1.) Mount Mayon Albay
Mount Mayon, one of the most impressive Philippine landmarks, with an elevation of 2,462
meters is the most active volcano in the Philippines. Based on recorded history of the
country, this almost perfect cone volcano in Albay erupted at least 50 times from 1616 up to
present.One of the most remarkable and most devastating eruptions of Mount Mayon was its
eruption in 1766 that erased the town of Cagsawa in the Philippine map. Only the bell tower
of Cagsawa Church remained above the new surface. Its last eruption was in January 2010.
2.) Taal Volcano Batangas
Taal Volcano, situated within Taal Lake, has always been known to be one of the most active
volcanoes in the country and in fact tagged as the worlds most active smallest volcano. This
volcano located in Batangas province had erupted 33 times from 1572 to present.
Its last eruption occurred in July 2009 and is currently closely monitored for its abnormal
activities which may result to another eruption of this small but very active volcano. It has
an elevation of 400 meters.
eruptions followed in 1992 and 1993. Its last eruption prior to 1991 is unknown. It has an
elevation of 1,486 meters.
Mount Mayon Albay
Taal Volcano Batangas
Mount Kanlaon Negros Oriental
Mount Bulusan Sorsogon
Mount Makaturing Lanao del Sur
Mount Pinatubo
Hibok-Hibok Camiguin
Smith Volcano - Cagayan