Volcanoes are a very striking natural phenomenon, but the reality is that some can become highly dangerous when they erupt. We tell you which are the most active volcanoes on the planet right now.
Mount Vesuvius, Italy
Located in front of the Bay of Naples, Mount Vesuvius is the best known active volcano and one of the most dangerous in the world. Its last eruption took place in 1944, although it is undoubtedly known for burying the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum under its ashes in 79 AD.
Throughout its history, it has erupted several times and is considered one of the most dangerous in the world due to its location , since about three million people live in its vicinity. In some of its eruptions, the ashes came to move over more than 1,600 kilometers.
Throughout its history, it has erupted several times and is considered one of the most dangerous in the world due to its location , since about three million people live in its vicinity. In some of its eruptions, the ashes came to move over more than 1,600 kilometers.
Sakurajima, Japan
Sakurajima is the symbol of Kagoshima. Since 2009 it has shown a lot of activity, reaching more than a thousand small eruptions a year. It has two main craters: Minimidake and Showa. In 2006, Showa erupted after 58 years of inactivity and had been especially active since 2015.
So much so that weather forecasts for the area include information on which areas could be affected by volcanic ash.
So much so that weather forecasts for the area include information on which areas could be affected by volcanic ash.
Mount Merapi, Indonesia
Mount Merapi is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. It is located in the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire.
This volcanic mountain peak is located in the center of the island of Java, about 32 kilometers from Yogyakarta. Its name means mountain of fire, and it has a height of almost 3,000 meters . When it erupted in 2010, it killed 300 people, and nearly 300,000 had to be evacuated.
This volcanic mountain peak is located in the center of the island of Java, about 32 kilometers from Yogyakarta. Its name means mountain of fire, and it has a height of almost 3,000 meters . When it erupted in 2010, it killed 300 people, and nearly 300,000 had to be evacuated.
Mount Nyiragongo, Democratic Republic of the Congo
In the last 150 years, the Mount Nyiragongo volcano, in the Virunga Mountains within Virunga National Park, has recorded more than 50 eruptions. It is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and is characterized by hosting one of the largest lava lakes in the world with more than 200 meters in diameter.
In 2002, the volcano threw more than eleven million cubic meters of lava into the center of Goma's city at its feet. It destroyed 14,000 homes and forced the evacuation of 350,000 people.
In 2002, the volcano threw more than eleven million cubic meters of lava into the center of Goma's city at its feet. It destroyed 14,000 homes and forced the evacuation of 350,000 people.
Ulawun, Papua New Guinea
Located on the island of New Britain, this volcano is the highest mountain in the Bismarck Archipelago at more than 2,300 meters and one of the most active in Papua New Guinea. In recent years it has had an almost constant activity with frequent small explosions until its final eruption in June 2019.
The volcano spewed ash at the height of up to thirteen kilometers, and more than 10,000 people had to be evacuated due to the danger of seismic activity. The eruption emissions were dark, which could cause respiratory problems, eye and skin irritation due to the high acid content of the ash.
The volcano spewed ash at the height of up to thirteen kilometers, and more than 10,000 people had to be evacuated due to the danger of seismic activity. The eruption emissions were dark, which could cause respiratory problems, eye and skin irritation due to the high acid content of the ash.
Mauna Loa, Hawaii
Mauna Loa is one of the largest volcanoes on Earth and one of the five found on the island of Hawaii. It covers an area of about 5,271 square kilometers and has a width of approximately 120, due to its dimensions, it occupies almost half the area of the island.
It is also one of the most active on Earth, since it has erupted more than a hundred times throughout history. For this reason, it was designated as one of the Volcanoes of the Decade and is part of one of the sixteen volcanoes of the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior.
It is also one of the most active on Earth, since it has erupted more than a hundred times throughout history. For this reason, it was designated as one of the Volcanoes of the Decade and is part of one of the sixteen volcanoes of the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior.
Galeras, Colombia
With a height of more than 4,000 meters, the Galeras volcano is located in southwestern Colombia near the city of San Juan de Pasto. It is the most active volcano in the country and is part of the Andes Mountains, in the Pacific Ring of Fire. Although it is not considered a particularly dangerous volcano, the biggest problem it presents is the number of people who live near its surroundings.
Although it is active, it has less than 50 registered eruptions. The most recent took place in 1993 and caused the death of six scientists who were on an expedition to the volcano, and three tourists also lost their lives.
Although it is active, it has less than 50 registered eruptions. The most recent took place in 1993 and caused the death of six scientists who were on an expedition to the volcano, and three tourists also lost their lives.
Stromboli, Italy
Located in southern Italy, between the Aeolian Islands, Stromboli is one of the most popular volcanoes in the country due to its beaches. It has been erupting almost continuously since the 1930s. It glows for miles at night and has earned it the nickname The Lighthouse of the Mediterranean.
One of the most prominent dangers of this volcano is the Sciara del Fuoco, a large scar located along with the northwestern edge volcano. This gap could cause an eruption to collapse, causing tsunamis and dangerous clouds of volcanic material.
One of the most prominent dangers of this volcano is the Sciara del Fuoco, a large scar located along with the northwestern edge volcano. This gap could cause an eruption to collapse, causing tsunamis and dangerous clouds of volcanic material.
Piton de la Fournaise, France
Piton de la Fournaise is located on the French island of La Reunion, in the Indian Ocean and has been declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco. It is more than 2,600 meters high and occupies about 40% of the island's surface. It is one of the most active volcanoes on the planet, since its eruption frequency is more or less every nine months.
It is constantly monitored from the Piton de la Fournaise Volcano Observatory. From it, scientists predict their eruptions weeks before they happen in enough time to warn hikers and establish emergency measures and instructions.
In recent years it has only had two catastrophic eruptions, the most recent in 2007. On that occasion, the volcano released dangerous sulfur clouds and hurled a strong stream of lava down the mountain, destroying the island's main road.
It is constantly monitored from the Piton de la Fournaise Volcano Observatory. From it, scientists predict their eruptions weeks before they happen in enough time to warn hikers and establish emergency measures and instructions.
In recent years it has only had two catastrophic eruptions, the most recent in 2007. On that occasion, the volcano released dangerous sulfur clouds and hurled a strong stream of lava down the mountain, destroying the island's main road.
