Volcanoes are one of the most fascinating and destructive natural phenomena on our planet. They are openings, or vents where lava, tephra (small rocks), and steam erupt onto the Earth's surface. Volcanic eruptions can last days, months, or even years. They are formed when magma, molten rock beneath the Earth's surface, rises up and erupts, releasing lava, ash, and gases. Some volcanoes are small and relatively harmless, while others are massive and capable of catastrophic eruptions. In this article, you will read about some of the biggest volcanoes in the world.
Mauna Loa - Hawaii, USA: Mauna Loa is the world's largest active volcano and the largest subaerial volcano in both mass and volume. It rises 4,170 meters (13,678 feet) above sea level, but most of its bulk is beneath the ocean surface. Mauna Loa has erupted 33 times since its first well-documented eruption in 1843 and is considered one of the most active volcanoes on Earth.
Tamu Massif - Pacific Ocean: Tamu Massif is an enormous underwater volcano in the Pacific Ocean, about 1,000 miles east of Japan. It is the largest known volcano on Earth, with a height of 4,460 meters (14,628 feet) and a diameter of about 640 km (400 mi). Tamu Massif is thought to have formed about 145 million years ago during the Jurassic period and is now extinct.
Ojos del Salado - Argentina/Chile: Ojos del Salado is the highest active volcano in the world, standing at 6,893 meters (22,615 feet) above sea level. It is located on the border between Argentina and Chile and has erupted several times in the last 1,000 years. Ojos del Salado is part of the Andes mountain range, which is known for its many active and dormant volcanoes.
Mount Kilimanjaro - Tanzania: Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in Africa and one of the most famous mountains in the world. It is actually a dormant volcano that last erupted about 360,000 years ago. Kilimanjaro stands 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) tall and is composed of three distinct volcanic cones: Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira.
Eyjafjallajökull - Iceland: Eyjafjallajökull is a stratovolcano located in Iceland and is known for its 2010 eruption, which caused widespread disruption to air travel across Europe. It stands 1,666 meters (5,466 feet) tall and last erupted in 2010. Eyjafjallajökull is part of a larger volcanic system in Iceland and is considered one of the country's most active volcanoes.
Mount Etna - Italy: Mount Etna is an active stratovolcano located on the east coast of Sicily, Italy. It is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, with frequent eruptions over the past 2,000 years. Mount Etna stands 3,329 meters (10,922 feet) tall and is composed of several overlapping cones and craters. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a popular destination for tourists.
Krakatoa - Indonesia: Krakatoa is a volcanic island located in Indonesia and is best known for its catastrophic eruption in 1883. The eruption was one of the deadliest and most destructive in recorded history, causing a massive tsunami that killed tens of thousands of people. Today, the island is still home to an active volcano, although it is closely monitored for signs of another major eruption.
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