Photo By C. Heliker (US Geological Survey) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Well, at
least you’re paying attention to what’s going on around you. You probably already know that at any point
in time there are around 20 volcanoes erupting at any point in time, including
those safely buried at the depths of our oceans shifting the plates of our
Earth around.
For eons volcanoes have been a natural source of obsession
for us little people around the globe; in spiritual offerings, as a
photographers fanatical and fatal subject, for scientists, mountain climbers
and especially adrenaline junkies. The unpredictable and explosive nature of
volcanoes perhaps remind us of certain aspects of ourselves, hence a red face
(magma) when one is about to blow (erupt) their lid.
The 1997 movie “Dante’s Peak” described a dormant volcano
coming back to life, and this year’s 3-D epic “Pompeii” which chronicles the
Mount Vesuvius eruption of 79 AD (it’s last eruption was actually in 1944during World War II) proves that we are all still infatuated and intimidated by
these prehistoric mountainous and gaseous beasts.
By Sm313 at en.wikipedia [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons
Most people can name a few volcanoes or have been lucky
enough to get close or even climb one (including myself); Mount Saint Helens,
Mt. Etna, Mauno Loa, Mt. Fugi, see-you’ve heard of all of those! Yet it’s
actually surprising that many people have never heard of any of the volcanoes
that make the “Biggest Volcanoes on Earth” top ten list. Starting with the
tallest to smallest, test your knowledge and see if you’ve heard of, can
pronounce, or already knew where geographically the Biggest Volcanoes on Earth
are.
Unofficially (and not numerically listed) leading the list of is the 2013 discovery of
what is believed to be the worlds largest volcano called Tamu Mastif. There’s no need to worry about this hidden sleeper, since even the very tippy top of the inactive volcano is buried 6,500 feet
beneath the ocean. Located approximately 1,000 miles off the Japanese coastline
in an area of the Pacific known as Shatsky Rise.
Photo by NASA from Earths Observatory
1.Nevado Ojos del Salado 22,595 ft/6887m location: Chile/Argentina
Also part of this range is #3 Tipas 21,850 ft/6,660 m
Argentina Cerro Cazadero
Photo By Gerhard Haubold (Own work) GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
2. Llullailaco 22,110 6,729 m location: Argentina/Chile
Llullaillaco is a stratovolcano on top of an older
stratovolcano. NASA reports that the last know eruption based on historical
archives occurred in 1877 By far the best known archaeological site on this list
after the amazing discovery in 1999 of three mummified children were unearthed.
Due to the particularly dry and arid climate of the Atacama Desert where
Llullailaco looms, and the high altitude of 6,739 meters (22,109 feet) the
mummies and artifacts found buried with them were distinctly frozen in time and
are considered the best mummified remains ever discovered. The pristine
preserved remains of the children indicate that they were likely all Incan children.
3. Incahuasi 21,722 ft/6,621 m location: Argentina/Chile
Photo By ch images (originally posted to Flickr as [1]) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons-Icahuasi
4. Nevado Sajama 21,463 ft/6,542 m location: Bolivia (highest peak in Bolivia)
Photo By Canopus24 (Own work) [GFDL ) or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0], via Wikimedia Commons-Nevado Sajama
5. Cerro El Condor 21,430ft/6,532 m location:Argentina
Photo by USGS-Cerro el Condor
6. Coropuna 20,922 ft/6,377 m location: Peru
Photo By Alexson Scheppa Peisino(AlexSP) (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons-Coropuna
7. Parinacota 20,827ft/6,348m location: Boliva/Chile
Photo By Nilsf (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons-Parinacota
8. Ampato 20,630ft/6,288m location : Peru
Photo USGS, Public Domain, Pahoeoe_fountain_sharpen.jpg
9. Chimborazo 20,561ft/6,267m location: Ecuador
Photo Philippe Lavoie [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons-Chimborazo
10. Pular 20,449ft/6,233m location Chile
Photo John [CC-BY-SA-2.0 ], via Wikimedia Commons
Sarychev Peak, June 12, 2009 Matua Island
Now that you've made it around the world in 11 volcanoes (and through this article), congratulations! You can proudly challenge anyone who tells you that they already know the Biggest Volcano on Earth, the truth is -they are likely wrong and will chose the most familiar one (and that is easiest to pronounce).
Did you know?
There are at least 1,500 "active" volcanoes on Earth, According to the USGS (not counting the ones beneath the ocean), and of those only 500 have erupted in all time (since we can trace back historically). The area known as the "Ring of Fire" is the site of the most active and violent volcanic activity on our serene blue planet.
Forget Fireworks-The Biggest Volcanoes on Earth!
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