A volcano is a cleft in Earth’s crust or a conical mountain which evicts lava, steam etc. Volcanoes release hot boiling magma and gases only when the tectonic plates shifts from the original place. They are a reminder that the planet we live in is forever changing.
“Volcanoes are one way earth gives birth to itself.” –Robert Gross
The volcanoes which can produce a volcanic eruption anytime are the active volcanoes and there are almost 1500 active volcanoes all around the world. But the top 10 most active volcanoes are as follows:
- Yellowstone Caldera, United States of America
The first active volcano is situated in USA beneath the Yellow National Park. This volcano haven’t erupted since the past 640,000 years. But before this, it erupted and covered almost half of the US in ashes. It is called the super volcano which can erupt any time and may even cause the end of the world by activating other volcanoes.
- Vesuvius, Italy
The 2nd most active volcano is situated in Italy. It is the most densely populated volcano on Earth and is 5 miles away from Naples where almost 3 million people reside. It is the only active volcano in the Europe and in 1944, it erupted, destroying Pompeii and Herculaneum.
- Popocatépetl, Mexico
Popocatépetl is the 3rd most active and dangerous volcano located in Mexico. It is said that if this volcano erupted, a mass catastrophe will take place as almost nine million people live in the Mexico City. It last erupted in 2000 and due to on time evacuation, a lot of lives were saved.
- Sakurajima, Japan
This volcano, located in Japan, has one of the most active volcanic activities. It is usually called Vesuvius of East, as because of its last eruption which occurred in 1914, it combined the mountain with the mainland. Now, it threatens almost 700,000 people living in the city of Kagoshima.
- Galeras, Columbia
Galeras has been an active volcano for almost 1 million years. Its eruption is very frequent and is said to be very dangerous because of these unexpected eruptions which can take thousands of life. Its recent volcanic activity was in 2010.
- Merapi, Indonesia
This mountain means the mountain of fire and it has produced lava more than any other volcano. It has been active since the last 10,000 years and is a threat to thousands of people. Its latest eruption occurred in 2010.
- Mount Nyiragongo, D.R of Congo
It is the most active lava in Africa and is known for its large lava lakes. The most recent eruption was in 2002, leaving thousands of people homeless and destroying the capital of Goma.
- Ulawun, Papua New Guinea
This volcano has erupted 22 times since the 1700s. it has the highest peak and the residents witness minor eruptions through time. It is also said that if a major eruption occurred, it could destroy thousands of kilometers.
- Taal Volcano, Philippines
It is located in the middle of Lake Taal in Philippines, 31 miles away from a population of 1.6 million people. It has erupted for 33 times and its latest eruption was in 1977 though recently it has been showing signs of heavy eruption.
- Mauna Loa, Hawaii
The 10th most active and dangerous volcano is Mauna Loa located in Hawaii. It is also the largest volcano in the whole world and has been erupting for the past 700,000 years. Its last volcanic eruption lasted 24 days but many eruptions are comparatively slow.
