Volcanoes, for all their dangers, represent one of the most beautiful and majestic wonders of nature. Especially beautiful look active volcanoes at night. But this beauty brings destruction to everything around us. Lava, volcanic bombs, pyroclastic flows, consisting of incandescent volcanic gases, ash and stones, can wipe out even large cities. Mankind had time to be convinced of the incredible power of volcanoes during the infamous eruption of Vesuvius, which resulted in the death of the ancient cities of Herculaneum, Pompeii and Stabia. And there are many such examples in history.
The largest volcanoes in the world - let's talk today about these dangerous but beautiful giants. Our list includes volcanoes of varying degrees of activity - from conditionally sleeping to acting. The main criterion for selection was their magnitude.
10
Sangai Altitude 5 230 meters
Opens the ranking of the largest volcanoes on Earth, the current stratovolcano Sangai , located in Ecuador. Its height is 5230 meters. The top of the volcano consists of three craters with a diameter of 50 to 100 meters. Sangay is one of the youngest and most troubled volcanoes in South America. The first eruption occurred in 1628.The last one took place in 2007.Now the volcanic activity of the giant from the Equator is estimated as moderate. Tourists who visited the Sangai National Park, on whose territory the volcano is located, can climb to its summit.
9
Popocatepetl Height 5 455 meters
At 9th place among the largest volcanoes in the world - Popocatepetl .It is located on the Mexican Highlands. The height of the volcano is 5455 meters. Even in a calm state, the volcano is constantly enveloped in a cloud of gases and ash. Its danger lies in the fact that there are densely populated areas around the volcano, and Mexico City is 60 kilometers away. The last eruption of the giant occurred more recently - on March 27, 2016, he threw a kilometer post of ash. The next day Popocatepetl calmed down. In the event of a strong eruption of the Mexican giant, he will threaten the security of several million people.
8
Elbrus Height 5 642 meters
There are large volcanoes in Europe. In the North Caucasus is located stratovolcane Elbrus , whose height is 5642 meters. This is the highest peak in Russia. Elbrus is one of the seven highest mountain peaks of the planet. As for the activity of the giant, the opinion of scientists differs. Some consider it an extinct volcano, and others - fading. Sometimes Elbrus becomes the center of small earthquakes. Sulfur gases emerge from some of the cracks on its surface. Scientists who believe that Elbrus may wake up in the future, express the opinion that the nature of his eruption will be explosive.
7
Orizaba Height 5,675 meters
The seventh place in the list of the largest volcanoes on Earth is Orizaba , the highest peak in Mexico. The height of the volcano is 5675 meters. The last time he erupted in 1687.Now Orizaba is considered a sleeping volcano. From its top are stunning panoramic views. In order to protect the volcano, a reserve was established.
6
Misti Height 5 822 meters
The sixth largest in the list of the largest volcanoes is Misti , located in the south of Peru. Its height is 5822 meters. Misty refers to active volcanoes. The last time he erupted in 1985.In January 2016, the volcano experienced an increase in fumarolic activity - steam and gas holes appeared. This is one of the signs of a forthcoming eruption. In 1998, near the inner crater of the volcano, six Inca mummies were found.
Interesting fact - many buildings in the city of Arequipa, located 17 kilometers from the volcano, are built of white deposits of pyroclastic flows of Misty. Therefore Arequipa is called "White City".
5
Kilimanjaro Height 5,895 meters
Fifth place among the largest volcanoes on the planet occupies the highest point of the African continent - Kilimanjaro .Scientists came to the conclusion that this giant stratovolcano, with a height of 5895 meters, is potentially active. Now it periodically throws out the gases and there is a possibility of collapse of the volcano crater, which can provoke its eruption. There are no documented evidence of Kilimanjaro's activity, but there are legends of local residents, which speak about the eruption, which occurred about 200 years ago.
4
Cotopaxi Height 5,897 meters
The fourth largest in the list of the largest volcanoes on Earth is the Cotopaxi , the second largest peak in Ecuador. It is an active volcano, whose height is 5897 meters. The first time his activity was recorded in 1534.Since then, volcanic eruptions have occurred more than 50 times. The last strong eruption of the Kotpah occurred in August 2015.
3
San Pedro Height 6 145 meters
Active stratovolcano San Pedro , located in Chile, ranks 3 rd among the largest volcanoes in the world. Its height is 6145 meters. The last eruption of the volcano occurred in 1960.
2
Mauna Loa Height 4 205 meters
The second largest volcano in the world occupies the volcano Mauna Loa , located in the Hawaiian Islands. In terms of volume - this is the largest volcano on Earth, containing more than 32 cubic kilometers of magma. Formed a giant more than 700 thousand years ago. Mauna Loa is an active volcano. In 1984, its eruption lasted almost a month and caused enormous damage to local residents and the surrounding volcano.
1
Ljullyaylako Height 6,739 meters
In the first place among the largest volcanoes in the world is the operating fly-start Ljullyaylako .It is located on the border of Argentina and Chile. Its height is 6739 meters. The last eruption of the giant took place in 1877.Now it is in the solfataric stage - from time to time the volcano releases sulphurous gases and water vapor. In 1952, at the first ascent to Ljullyaylako, an ancient sanctuary of the Incas was found. Later, on the slopes of the volcano, archaeologists discovered three children's mummies. Most likely, they were sacrificed.
That's interesting. The Yellowstone caldera, whose size is about 55 km by 72 km, is called a super volcano. It is located in Yellowstone National Park USA.The volcano did not show activity for 640 thousand years. Under his crater is a magma bubble more than 8,000 meters deep. During its existence, the super volcano erupted thrice. Each time it caused major cataclysms, changing the face of the Earth at the site of the eruption. When the super-volcano wakes up again, it is impossible to predict. With certainty, we can say only one thing: a cataclysm of this magnitude is capable of putting the existence of our civilization to the brink.