Largest Volcanoes in World List, Location, Distribution

Volcanoes are geological features that are formed when magma (molten rock), ash, and gas escape to the Earth’s surface. They are typically found at the boundaries of tectonic plates, where the Earth’s crust is either being pulled apart or pushed together. Volcanoes can take many different forms, including shield volcanoes, cinder cones, and stratovolcanoes. Check Out the Largest Volcanoes in the World List in this article.

Largest Active Volcanoes in the World

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

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:

Distribution of Volcanoes in the World

Volcanoes are found all around the world, but their distribution is not even. They are typically found along tectonic plate boundaries, where the Earth’s crust is most active. The followings are some of the main types of volcanoes and their distribution:

• Pacific Ring of Fire: The Pacific Ring of Fire is an area around the Pacific Ocean where a large number of volcanoes are located. It is a horseshoe-shaped belt that stretches from the west coast of North America to New Zealand and Indonesia. This region is highly active due to the subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath other tectonic plates, which creates a lot of magma that eventually leads to volcanic eruptions.
• Mid-Atlantic Ridge: The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a divergent plate boundary that runs through the Atlantic Ocean. Volcanoes are found along this ridge, as magma rises from the Earth’s mantle and forms a new oceanic crust.
• African Rift Valley: The African Rift Valley is a series of rifts that run through Eastern Africa. Volcanoes are found along this rift, where the Earth’s crust is thinning and magma rises to the surface.
• Mediterranean: The Mediterranean is an area of high volcanic activity, with volcanoes located in Italy, Greece, and other parts of the region. This is due to the collision of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates, which creates a lot of seismic activity and magma.
• Hotspots: Hotspots are areas where magma rises from the mantle and creates a volcano, regardless of the location of tectonic plate boundaries. Some examples of hotspots include Hawaii, Yellowstone National Park, and Iceland.

How Many Volcanoes Are There in World?

There is no exact count of the number of volcanoes in the world, as new volcanoes can form and old ones can become dormant or extinct. However, there are approximately 1,500 potentially active volcanoes worldwide, with around 50 to 70 of them erupting each year. The majority of these volcanoes are located around the Pacific Ocean in an area known as the “Ring of Fire.”

Largest Volcanoes in the World UPSC 

The topic of the largest volcanoes in the world is relevant for the UPSC exam as it falls under the scope of the UPSC Syllabus for geography. UPSC aspirants who are preparing for the exam with the help of StudyIQ UPSC Online Coaching or UPSC Mock Test may encounter questions related to this topic in the exam.

In the UPSC syllabus for geography, volcanoes are covered under the section of Physical Geography. Aspirants are expected to have knowledge of different types of volcanoes, their characteristics, distribution, and their impact on the environment.

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