- Mount Etna, an active volcano on the East Coast of Sicily in Italy, erupted on December 3. The volcano has erupted after being inactive for two years. Local residents noticed volcanic lightning and plumes of ash appearing on top of the volcano in the evening.
- The phenomenon of volcanic lightning is very rare and happens only if many natural factors act accordingly. Researchers say that the carbon particles coming out of the volcano collide in the ash cloud and generate an electric charge that triggers the lightning strikes.
- Mount Etna, one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world is placed above the converging point between the African Plate and the Eurasian Plate that float in the Earth’s mantle, making the area vulnerable to plate-tectonic movements and volcanic eruptions.
Here is a list of eight such dangerous volcanoes around the world:
1. Eyjafjallajokull:
Location: Iceland
1. Eyjafjallajokull:
Location: Iceland
Elevation: 5,446 feet
Eyjafjallajokull, which is Icelandic (island mountain glacier), is one of the most dangerous volcanoes on Earth. In 2010, it erupted so badly that the smoke that came out of its caldera (mouth of a volcano after eruption) disrupted air travel across West and North Europe. Commercial air traffic of around 20 countries came to a halt, affecting over 1,00,000 travellers.
2. Mount Vesuvius:
Location: Naples, Italy
Location: Naples, Italy
Elevation: 4,202 feet
One of the most popular volcanoes in the world, Mount Vesuvius, is just 9 kilometre east of Naples. It is the most densely populated volcanic area. This easily makes it the one of the most dangerous active volcanoes in the world. Its last eruption was in 1944. However, in 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius’ monstrous eruption buried the cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii.
3. Popocatepetl:
Location: Mexico
Elevation: 17,800 feet
It is one of the largest and tallest volcanoes in the world. A 56-kilometre drive from Mexico City will take you to Popocatepetl. Over 9 million people live within the blast radius of the volcano. Popocatepetl has erupted over 20 times since 1519. In the year 2000, when it last erupted, the dwellers around were in danger. But, precautionary evacuation of around 41,000 people saved their lives.
4. Sakurajima:
Location: Japan
Elevation: 3,664 feet
Elevation: 3,664 feet
The Sakurajima has influenced lives of thousands of Japanese. Once an island, the volcano has been instrumental in changing the geographic features of the region. In 1914, it erupted and the lava that came out built a link between the former island and the Osumi Peninsula. The island still continues to be active and it regularly throws large amount of lava ash every day.
5. Mount Merapi:
Location: Indonesia
Elevation: 9,610 feet
Mount Merapi or the “Fire Mountain” is the most active volcano in Indonesia and its eruptions have not stopped since 1548. Located on the borders of Central Java and Indonesia, the volcano is a persistent threat to the people living in its vicinity.
6. Mount Nyiragongo:
Location: Democratic Republic of Congo
Elevation: 11,384 feet
The volcano is located in Virunga National Park, Congo. Its two-kilometre wide crater contains a lava lake. Around 20 kilometre north of Goma Town and Lake Kivu, Mount Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira, another volcano nearby, is responsible for 40 percent of Africa’s total volcanic eruption so far.
7. Mauna Loa:
Location: Hawaii
Elevation: 13,667 feet
Mauna Loa means “long mountain” in Hawaiian. It is the largest volcano in the world in terms of volume and area covered. Its last eruption was in 1950 when it lasted for 23 days and emitted over 375 cubic metres of lava. The lava flow hit the village of Hookena-mauka, crossed the Hawaii Route 11 and reached the sea within four hours of blast. Though no casualty was reported, this event remains as one of the scariest volcanic eruptions in recent history.
8. Galeras:
Location: Columbia
Elevation: 14,200 feet
Located near the border of Ecuador, the Galeras volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Studies show that the volcano has been active for at least one million years. The city of Pasto with its 450,000 residents is situated on its eastern slope and faces the threat of massive volcanic eruption.
Source: India Today
