Top 6 Deadliest Active Volcanoes In The World

Volcanoes can bring incalculable devastation and destruction, a fact that certainly doesn't need much explanation. Let us first briefly understand what is a volcano and what causes it to happen. Volcanoes are eruptions of hot lava that occur due to a rupture of the earth's crust. Magma basically erupts from the magma chamber, leading to a gush of lava to emanate from the mouth of the mountain. In this article, we look at the top 6 deadliest active volcanoes in the world. Some of these deadliest volcanoes in the world haven't erupted in a while but remain to be sinister.

Here are 6 deadliest volcanoes in the world. Read on...

Mount Vesuvius, Italy

Mount Vesuvius, Italy

Quite a few eruptions in the recent past has made Mount Vesuvius in Campagnia, Italy, one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world. Mount vesuvius is known to erupt once in 20 years. Besides, Mount Vesuvius is situated in a densely populated area with almost 3 million people living in the vicinity. It is precisely for this reason that Mount Vesuvius is known to be the most densely populated region in the world.

Sakurajima in Japan

Sakurajima in Japan

A separate island by itself, Sakurajima, after a series of volcanic eruptions and lava flows in 1914 caused it connect with the mainland. The Sakurajima experiences many a hundred small explosions every year, making it one of the most dangerous active volcanoes in the world.

Galeras, Columbia

Galeras, Columbia

Galera in Columbia is situated close to the border with Ecuador. Here is a very interesting fact about this volcano- it has existed for a staggering 1 million years. Known to be one of the oldest volcanoes in the world, the Galeras in Columbia was declared dormant in 1978. But in 1988 just 10 years later, it unleashed its fury once again. Since 2000, its explosions have caused tremors and splashes of lava in the region.

Mount Nyirangonga, DRC

Mount Nyirangonga, DRC

Known to be one of the most powerful volcanoes in the world, especially in the African continent, Mount Nyirangonga in the Democratic republic Of Congo is famous for its massive lava lakes. It is amongst the most feared volcanoes in the world and communities who live in the vicinity are often threatened by its unexpected fury.

Taal Volcano Philippines

Taal Volcano Philippines

Since early 1600s, the Taal Volcano has recorded close to 30 massive explosions. These explosions have carried prodigious amounts of lava. This deadly volcano has, over the many times it has erupted, claimed the lives of almost 6000 people.

Mauna Loa, Hawaii

Mauna Loa, Hawaii

The Mauna Lo in Hawaii is perhaps the most dangerous volcano in the world. During early 2000 when scientists were trying to single out the deadliest volcano in the world, Mauna Loa was at the top of the list. This volcano is one of the 5 powerful volcanoes that formed the island of Hawaii in the center of the pacific ocean. The deadly volcano has seen frequent eruptions for the past 700,000 years.

Story first published: Thursday, July 24, 2014, 17:15 [IST]
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