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Largest Volcanoes in World List, Location, Distribution

Volcanoes, with their awe-inspiring presence and potential for dramatic eruptions, are pivotal features in the study of geography and earth sciences. Understanding the largest volcanoes in the world is essential for UPSC aspirants, as it enhances their general awareness and provides insight into the dynamic processes shaping our planet. Check Out the Largest Volcanoes in the World List in this article.

What Are Volcanoes?

Volcanoes are geological formations where magma (molten rock) from beneath the Earth’s crust erupts through the surface, creating mountains, craters, and other volcanic features. They are formed by tectonic plate movements and are classified as active, dormant, or extinct based on their eruption history.

Type of Volcano Description Example
Shield Volcanoes Broad, gently sloping; formed by low-viscosity basaltic lava that can flow over great distances. Mauna Loa, Hawaii
Stratovolcanoes Tall, steep-sided; built up by layers of hardened lava, tephra, pumice, and volcanic ash; explosive eruptions. Mount Fuji, Japan; Mount Vesuvius, Italy
Cinder Cone Volcanoes Small, steep-sided; formed from tephra, volcanic ash, and pyroclastic fragments ejected from a single vent. Parícutin, Mexico
Lava Domes Formed by slow eruption of highly viscous lava that piles up near the vent; can produce violent eruptions. Mount St. Helens, USA
Calderas Large, basin-like depressions formed when a volcano erupts and collapses into the emptied magma chamber below. Yellowstone Caldera, USA

Largest Active Volcanoes in the World

Here is the List of the Largest Active Volcanoes in the World given below:

Name Location Description
Mauna Loa Hawaii, USA The largest active volcano on Earth, Mauna Loa is a shield volcano that rises about 4,170 meters above sea level and has a volume of around 75,000 cubic kilometres.

It is located on the Big Island of Hawaii and last erupted in 1984. Its frequent eruptions and gentle slopes make it an important location for studying the formation and behaviour of shield volcanoes.

Mount Etna Sicily, Italy The largest active volcano in Europe, Mount Etna is a stratovolcano that rises about 3,329 meters above sea level and has a volume of around 500 cubic kilometers. It is located on the east coast of Sicily and has been erupting continuously for thousands of years.

Its eruptions are often explosive and produce lava flows, ash plumes, and other hazards that can pose a threat to nearby communities.

Piton de la Fournaise Reunion Island, Indian Ocean Piton de la Fournaise is a shield volcano that rises about 2,632 meters above sea level and has a volume of around 530 cubic kilometres. It is located on the island of Reunion in the Indian Ocean and is one of the most active volcanoes in the world.

Its frequent eruptions are often accompanied by lava flows that can harm nearby communities.

Kilauea Hawaii, USA One of the world’s most active and most studied volcanoes, Kilauea is a shield volcano that rises about 1,247 meters above sea level and has a volume of around 75 cubic kilometres.

It is located on the Big Island of Hawaii and has erupted continuously since 1983. It’s frequent eruptions and accessible location makes it an important location for studying volcanic processes and hazards.

Mount Nyiragongo Democratic Republic of the Congo One of the most active and dangerous volcanoes in the world, Mount Nyiragongo is a stratovolcano that rises about 3,470 meters above sea level and has a volume of around 50 cubic kilometers.

It is located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is known for its highly fluid lava that can move at speeds of up to 100 km/h. Its eruptions have caused significant damage and loss of life in nearby communities.

Mount Shasta California, USA A stratovolcano that rises about 4,322 meters above sea level, Mount Shasta is located in Northern California near the border with Oregon. It has a volume of around 350 cubic kilometers and is one of the largest and most active volcanoes in the Cascade Range.

Its most recent eruption occurred around 200 years ago, and it is closely monitored for signs of volcanic activity.

Sangay Ecuador Located in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador, Sangay is a stratovolcano that rises about 5,230 meters above sea level and has a volume of around 30 cubic kilometers.

It is one of the most active volcanoes in South America, with frequent eruptions that produce lava flows, ash plumes, and lahars. Its remote location and difficult terrain make it a challenging location to study and monitor.

Mount Merapi Java, Indonesia A stratovolcano that rises about 2,930 meters above sea level, Mount Merapi is located on the island of Java in Indonesia. It has a volume of around 40 cubic kilometers and is one of the most active and dangerous volcanoes in Indonesia.

Its eruptions are often explosive and can produce pyroclastic flows, ash plumes, and lahars that have caused significant damage and loss of life in nearby communities. It is closely monitored by volcanologists and local authorities.

Popocatépetl Mexico Popocatépetl is a stratovolcano that rises about 5,426 meters above sea level and has a volume of around 225 cubic kilometers. It is located near Mexico City and is one of the most active volcanoes in Mexico.

Its eruptions are often explosive and produce ash plumes and lahars that can harm nearby communities. It is closely monitored by volcanologists and local authorities.

Mount Yasur Vanuatu Located on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu, Mount Yasur is a stratovolcano that rises about 361 meters above sea level and has a volume of around 0.1 cubic kilometres.

It is one of the most active volcanoes in the South Pacific, with frequent Strombolian eruptions that produce lava fountains and ash plumes. It is a popular tourist destination, but visitors must take care to avoid hazards such as flying debris and toxic gases.

Mauna Loa

  • Location: Hawaii, USA
  • Type: Shield Volcano
  • Height: 4,169 meters above sea level
  • Description: Mauna Loa is the largest volcano in terms of volume and area covered. It extends approximately 5 kilometers below sea level, making its total height over 9 kilometers. It last erupted in 1984 and is closely monitored for future activity.

Mauna Kea

  • Location: Hawaii, USA
  • Type: Shield Volcano
  • Height: 4,207 meters above sea level
  • Description: Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain when measured from its base on the ocean floor, rising about 10,203 meters. It is dormant, with its last eruption over 4,500 years ago, but remains geologically active.

Ojos del Salado

  • Location: Chile-Argentina Border
  • Type: Stratovolcano
  • Height: 6,893 meters above sea level
  • Description: The highest active volcano in the world, Ojos del Salado’s last known eruption was around 700 AD. It is characterized by a relatively low profile and significant height.

Mount Kilimanjaro

  • Location: Tanzania
  • Type: Stratovolcano
  • Height: 5,895 meters above sea level
  • Description: The tallest free-standing mountain globally, Kilimanjaro consists of three cones: Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira. Kibo, the highest peak, is dormant, with recent activity about 200 years ago.

Mount Elbrus

  • Location: Russia
  • Type: Stratovolcano
  • Height: 5,642 meters above sea level
  • Description: The highest peak in Europe, Mount Elbrus is part of the Caucasus Mountains and is heavily glaciated. It is dormant, with its last eruption occurring around AD 50.

Cotopaxi

  • Location: Ecuador
  • Type: Stratovolcano
  • Height: 5,897 meters above sea level
  • Description: Known for its symmetrical cone, Cotopaxi is one of the highest active volcanoes and has erupted more than 50 times since 1738, with the last major eruption in 1904.

Mount Fuji

  • Location: Japan
  • Type: Stratovolcano
  • Height: 3,776 meters above sea level
  • Description: An iconic symbol of Japan, Mount Fuji is an active volcano with its last eruption in 1707. It is a popular cultural and spiritual symbol.

Mount Vesuvius

  • Location: Italy
  • Type: Stratovolcano
  • Height: 1,281 meters above sea level
  • Description: Renowned for the AD 79 eruption that destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum, Mount Vesuvius is one of the most dangerous volcanoes due to its history of explosive eruptions and proximity to populated areas. Its last eruption was in 1944.

List of Largest Volcanoes in the World

Here is a List of Largest Volcanoes in the World and their Location given below in the table:

Volcano Location Height (Metres) Height (Feet)
Mauna Loa Hawaii, U.S.A 30085 9170
Haleakalā Hawaii, U.S.A 30000 9144
Teide Canary Islands, Spain 24606 7500
Piton des Neiges Reunion, France 23198 7071
Ojos del Salado Argentina/Chile 6893 22615
Llullaillaco Argentina/Chile 6739 22110
Nevado Sajama Bolivia 6542 21463
Chimborazo Ecuador 6267 20561
Cotopaxi Ecuador 5897 19347
Kilimanjaro Tanzania 5895 19341
Cayambe Ecuador 5790 18996
Mount Elbrus Russia 5642 18510
Pico de Orizaba Mexico 5636 18491
Mount Damavand Iran 5610 18406
Popocatépetl Mexico 5426 17802
Iztaccíhuatl Mexico 5230 17159
Mount Kenya Kenya 5199 17057
Mount Ararat Turkey/Armenia 5137 16854
Mount Kazbek Georgia 5047 16558
Mount Bona Alaska 5005 16421
Klyuchevskaya Sopka Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia 4750 15584
Mount Karisimbi Rwanda/Democratic Republic of Congo 4507 14787
Mount Rainier Washington 4392 14409
Mount Giluwe Papua New Guinea 4368 14331
Volcán Tajumulco Guatemala 4220 13845
Mauna Kea Hawaii, United States 4205 13796
Mount Sidley Antarctica 4181 13717
Mount Cameroon Cameroon 4095 13435
Mount Aragats Armenia 4095 13435
Mount Kerinci Sumatra, Indonesia 3805 12484
Mount Fuji Chūbu region, Honshū 3776 12388
Mount Rinjani Lombok, Indonesia 3726 12224
Semeru Java, Indonesia 3676 12060
Emi Koussi Chad 3415 11204
Mount Etna Sicily 3329 10922
Haleakalā Maui, Hawaii 3055 10023
Mount Agung Bali, Indonesia 3031 9944
Pico Basilé Bioko, Equatorial Guinea 3011 9879
Mount Zuqualla Oromia Region 2989 9806
Mount Apo Mindanao 2954 9692
Mount Shishaldin Unimak Island, Alaska 2857 9373
Mount Ruapehu North Island 2797 9177
Mawson Peak Heard Island 2745 9006
Pico Azores 2351 7713
Beerenberg Jan Mayen, Norway 2277 7470
Taal Volcano Batangas, Philippines 311 1020
Pali-Aike volcanic field Argentina–Chile border region 180 591

Distribution of Volcanoes in the World

Volcanoes are distributed mainly along tectonic plate boundaries, which are classified into:

  1. Divergent Boundaries: Where plates move apart, such as the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
  2. Convergent Boundaries: Where plates move towards each other, such as the Pacific Ring of Fire.
  3. Hotspots: Volcanic regions thought to be fed by underlying mantle that is anomalously hot compared to the surrounding mantle. Examples include the Hawaiian Islands and Yellowstone.

Pacific Ring of Fire: This region encircles the Pacific Ocean and is home to approximately 75% of the world’s active and dormant volcanoes. It is characterized by frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Mediterranean Belt: Extending through the Mediterranean region, it includes significant volcanoes like Mount Vesuvius and Mount Etna.

Mid-Atlantic Ridge: This underwater mountain range runs down the center of the Atlantic Ocean, featuring numerous active volcanoes.

 

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Largest Volcanoes in the World FAQs

What are the 5 largest volcanoes in the world?

The 5 largest volcanoes in the world are Mauna Loa (Hawaii), Tamu Massif (Pacific Ocean), Ojos del Salado (Chile), Tamu Kuba (Pacific Ocean), and Pūhāhonu (Hawaii).

What are the top 3 biggest volcanoes?

The top 3 biggest volcanoes are Tamu Massif (Pacific Ocean), Mauna Loa (Hawaii), and Ojos del Salado (Chile).

Where are maximum volcanoes in the world?

The maximum number of volcanoes in the world are located around the Pacific Ocean in an area known as the "Ring of Fire".

Which are the 2 highest active volcanoes in the world?

The two highest active volcanoes in the world are Ojos del Salado (Chile-Argentina border) and Llullaillaco (Chile-Argentina border).

What is the tallest volcano in Asia?

The tallest volcano in Asia is Mount Kerinci, located in Indonesia, which stands at 3,805 meters (12,484 feet) tall.

About the Author

I, Sakshi Gupta, am a content writer to empower students aiming for UPSC, PSC, and other competitive exams. My objective is to provide clear, concise, and informative content that caters to your exam preparation needs. I strive to make my content not only informative but also engaging, keeping you motivated throughout your journey!

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