Volcanoes

Ruapehu: A Crater Lake

New Zealand – Altitude: 2,797 m – A volcano’s magma comes to the surface through a crater, often found at the summit of the volcano. The crater can become filled with water from rain and rivers or subterranean waters, in which case it is said to contain a crater lake. If the volcano beneath the lake is active, the water becomes acidic and hot. This is true of the Ruapehu volcano.

Fuji: A Near-Perfect Volcano

Japan – Altitude: 3,776 m – 

Few volcanoes have such a symmetrical cone shape. Mount Fuji is one of them, revealing a defining feature of the stratovolcano. Stratovolcanoes have steep, even slopes leading to the summit, and can reach many kilometres in height. The base of a stratovolcano can also span several kilometres in diameter.

Pinatubo: Dangerous Ashes

Philippines – Altitude: 1,486 m – 

The eruption of the Pinatubo volcano in 1991 was impressive owing to the large volcanic cloud it sent rising 40 kilometres into the air. A lot of ash was ejected and landed all over the place, chiefly on nearby houses. The accumulation of ash caused roofs to collapse, making it dangerous for the inhabitants.

Mount Erebus: An Antarctic Volcano

Antarctica – Altitude: 3,794 m – 

Volcanoes are scattered all over the Earth’s surface. They can even be found in cold climate regions. Such is the case of Mount Erebus, an active volcano located in Antarctica. One of the world’s rare lava lakes can be found at its summit. However, since the volcano is covered in ice, it is not easily accessible to humans.

Loihi: A Submarine Volcano

United States – Altitude: -975 m – Loihi is a volcano that formed off the Island of Hawaii—at the bottom of the ocean. The volcano exceeds three kilometres in height. Many years from now, its summit will reach the water’s surface. Today, though, it remains underwater.

Mauna Loa: The Largest Active Volcano on Earth

United States – Altitude: 4,170 m – 

Mauna Loa, located in Hawaii, is the largest active volcano on Earth. Its summit reaches altitudes greater than 4 kilometres. Its base lies at the bottom of the ocean, five kilometres below the water’s surface. Because it is so heavy, however, the volcano has sunk 8 kilometres deeper into the ocean floor. Its total height is therefore 17 kilometres.

Ojos del Salado: The Highest Active Volcano on Earth

Chile/Argentina – Altitude: 6,879 m – 

The volcano with the highest altitude on Earth is located on the border between Chile and Argentina, and is named Ojos del Salado. Its summit is 6,879 metres above sea level. Although the volcano is still active, its last eruption dates back several centuries.

Prometheus: Jupiter’s Lunar Volcano

Jupiter – Volcanic clouds of 300 km – 

More than 400 active volcanoes exist on Io, one of Jupiter’s moons. Prometheus is one such volcano. Io can produce very large and powerful volcanoes; scientists have observed volcanic clouds projected 300 km high. By contrast, terrestrial volcanoes such as Mount St. Helens project clouds that reach 25 kilometres.

Yellowstone: Calderas on the Volcano

United States – Altitude: 2,805 m – 

The Yellowstone volcano is still active nowadays. However, its activity has been relatively calm recently, mostly consisting of water vapor and gas emissions as well as boiling water spit out by geysers. In the last two million years, the volcano has undergone three major eruptions that have left it marked with large cauldron-like depressions, called calderas.

Kilauea: Lava Tunnels

United States – Altitude: 1,247 m – 

The Kilauea volcano has something very special about it: lava flowing underground through its tunnels at a temperature of 1,200°C. The lava travels for kilometres and then drains into the sea. Some lava tunnels are so large that you can walk around in them once they’ve been emptied.