Largest Volcanoes in the World List, Distribution, Location

Ananya Gupta September 29, 2023 12:21 5526 0

Explore the Earth's largest volcanoes, including the shield volcano Mauna Loa. Discover the list of the largest volcanoes worldwide, their locations, and distribution—a valuable resource for competitive exam preparation.

Largest Volcanoes in the World

Volcanoes are geological features formed by the eruption of molten rock, ash, and gases from beneath the Earth’s crust onto its surface. They are often located at the boundaries of tectonic plates, where the Earth’s lithospheric plates interact. Volcanic activity can take various forms, including explosive eruptions and gradual extrusions of lava.

Volcanoes vary in size, shape, and eruption style. Different types of volcanoes include:

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Shield Volcanoes: These have gently sloping sides and result from the flow of low-viscosity basaltic lava. An example is Mauna Loa in Hawaii.
Stratovolcanoes (Composite Volcanoes): These have steep slopes and are built up by alternating layers of lava, ash, and volcanic rocks. Mount St. Helens in the United States is a well-known stratovolcano.
Cinder Cone Volcanoes: These are small, steep-sided volcanoes built from the accumulation of volcanic debris ejected during eruptions.
Calderas: Large volcanic craters formed by the collapse of the summit of a volcano after a massive eruption.
Submarine Volcanoes: These form underwater and contribute to the creation of seafloor features like mid-ocean ridges.

Volcanic eruptions can vary in intensity and impact. They release gases such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere. While volcanic activity can be destructive, it also contributes to the creation of new land, mineral deposits, and the shaping of Earth’s surface over time.

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List of Largest Volcanoes In the World

Candidates can benefit from studying the list of the largest volcanoes in the world. This list provides insights into the geographical distribution, elevations, and distinctive characteristics of these remarkable natural formations. Exploring this information can enhance understanding of Earth’s geological processes and the impact of volcanoes on our planet’s diverse landscapes.

Largest Volcanoes In the World
Feature & Location	Volcanoes in the World	Feet	Metres
Hawaii, U.S.A	Mauna Loa	3085	9170
Canary Islands, Spain	Teide	24066	7500
Hawaii, U.S.A	Haleakala	30000	9144
Reunion, France	Piton des Neiges	23199	7071
Argentina/Chile – Highest active volcano on Earth	Ojos del Salado	22615	6893
Argentina/Chile – Second highest active volcano on Earth	Llullaillaco	22110	6739
Ecuador – Second highest in Ecuador	Cotopaxi	19347	5897
Ecuador – Farthest point from Earth’s centre	Chimborazo	20561	6267
Bolivia – The highest peak of Bolivia	Nevado Sajama	21463	6542
Tanzania – Highest volcano outside South America; the highest peak in Africa	Kilimanjaro	19341	5895
Russia – Highest volcano in Eurasia; the highest peak in Russia	Mount Elbrus	18510	5642
Ecuador – Third highest in Ecuador	Cayambe	18996	5790
Mexico – Highest volcano in North America; the highest peak in Mexico	Pico de Orizaba	18491	5636
Iran – Highest volcano within Asia; the highest peak in Iran	Mount Damavand	18406	5610
Kenya – Second highest volcano in Africa; the highest mountain in Kenya	Mount Kenya	17057	5199
Mexico – Second highest volcano in North America	Popocatepetl	17802	5426
Mexico – Third highest volcano in North America	Iztaccihuatl	17559	5230
Turkey/Armenia – The highest mountain in Turkey	Mount Ararat	16854	5137
Georgia – Highest volcano in Georgia	Mount Kazbek	16558	5047
Alaska – highest volcano in the United States	Mount Bona	16421	5047
The Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia – highest active in Eurasia; the highest mountain in Siberia	Klyuchevskaya Sopka	1584	4750
Rwanda/Democratic Republic of Congo – highest mountain in Rwanda	Mount Karisimbi	14787	4507
Guatemala – highest mountain in Central America	Volcan Tajumulco	13845	4220
Papua New Guinea – highest volcano in Australasia and Pacific islands	Mount Giluwe	14331	4368
Washington – highest volcano in the contiguous United States	Mount Rainier	14409	4392
Hawaii, United States – World’s tallest mountain from base to summit	Mauna Kea	13796	4205
Antarctica – Highest volcano in Antarctica	Mount Sidley	13717	4181
Armenia – highest mountain in Armenia	Mount Aragats	13435	4095
Cameroon – highest mountain in Cameroon	Mount Cameroon	13435	4095
Sumatra, Indonesia – Highest volcano in Indonesia; the highest mountain in Sumatra	Mount Kerinci	12484	3085
Chubu Region, Honshu – highest mountain in Japan	Mount Fuji	12388	3776
Lombok, Indonesia – Second-highest volcano in Indonesia	Mount Rinjani	1224	3726
Tenerife, Canary Islands – the highest peak in the Atlantic Islands and Spain	Teide	12198	3718
Java, Indonesia – highest mountain in Java	Semeru	12060	3676
Chad – the highest mountain in Chad & the Sahara	Emi Koussi	11204	3415
Sicily – active; highest volcano in Western Europe; the highest peak in Italy south of the Alps	Mount Etna	10922	3329
Maui, Hawaii – the highest peak of Maui	Haleakala	10023	3055
Bali, Indonesia – highest mountain in Bali	Mount Agung	9944	3031
Bioko, Equatorial Guinea – the highest mountain in Equatorial Guinea	Pico Basile	9879	3011
Mindanao – highest mountain in the Philippines	Mount Apo	9692	2954
Oromia Region – highest volcano in Ethiopia	Mount Zuqualla	9806	2989
Unimak Island, Alaska – highest mountain in the Aleutian Islands	Mount Shishaldin (Sisquk)	9373	2857
Heard Island – the highest mountain in Australia	Mawson Peak	9006	2745
Azores – highest mountain in Portugal	Pico	7713	2351
Jan Mayen, Norway – highest volcano in Norway	Beerenberg	7470	2277
Argentina–Chile border region	Pali-Aike volcanic field	591	180
Batangas, Philippines – – Smallest volcano on earth	Taal Volcano	1020	311

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Distribution of Volcanoes in the World

Volcanoes are not evenly distributed across the world; instead, they tend to cluster in certain regions due to tectonic plate boundaries and hotspot activity. Here’s a general overview of the distribution of volcanoes:

Ring of Fire: The Pacific Ring of Fire is the most well-known volcanic region, encircling the Pacific Ocean. It’s characterized by a high concentration of active volcanoes and frequent seismic activity. Countries like Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, the western coast of North and South America (including the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Chile), and various Pacific island nations are part of this region.
Mid-Atlantic Ridge: This underwater volcanic mountain range runs down the center of the Atlantic Ocean. It’s where the North American, Eurasian, South American, and African plates are moving away from each other, causing magma to well up and form new oceanic crust.
Iceland: Situated on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Iceland is a hotspot of volcanic activity due to the spreading of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. It experiences frequent volcanic eruptions.
East African Rift: This is another divergent boundary, where the African continent is slowly splitting apart. It runs from the Afar Triangle in Ethiopia down to Mozambique. Volcanic activity is present along this rift, with notable volcanoes like Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya.
Andes Mountains: The Andes stretch along the western coast of South America. This mountain range is the result of the Nazca Plate being subducted beneath the South American Plate, leading to volcanic activity in countries like Chile, Peru, and Colombia.
Mediterranean: The Mediterranean region, particularly around Italy and Greece, has a history of volcanic activity. Mount Vesuvius near Naples and Mount Etna in Sicily are well-known Italian volcanoes.
Indonesian Archipelago: Indonesia sits at the convergence of several tectonic plates (Pacific, Indian-Australian, and Eurasian plates). This convergence has led to the formation of a chain of active volcanoes, with Krakatoa and Mount Merapi being famous examples.
Alaska: The Aleutian Islands in Alaska are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire and host a number of active volcanoes due to the subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the North American Plate.
Hawaii: The Hawaiian Islands are the result of a hotspot beneath the Pacific Plate, creating a series of volcanoes that increase in age as they move away from the hotspot. Kilauea and Mauna Loa are well-known Hawaiian volcanoes.
East Asia: Countries like Japan, the Philippines, and Indonesia in East Asia experience significant volcanic activity due to the collision and subduction of tectonic plates in the region.

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How Many Volcanoes are there in the World?

Determining the exact number of volcanoes on Earth proves challenging due to the continuous emergence of new ones and the transition of older ones into states of dormancy or extinction. Nevertheless, an estimated 1,500 volcanoes possess the potential for activity across the globe, and each year witnesses the eruption of roughly 50 to 70 of them. The preponderance of these volcanic formations encircles the Pacific Ocean, encompassing the well-known “Ring of Fire” region.

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distribution of volcanoes in the world how many volcanoes are there in the world List of Largest Volcanoes In The World

Largest Volcanoes In The World FAQs

A volcano is a geological formation on Earth's surface that occurs when molten rock, ash, and gases escape from beneath the planet's crust through an opening known as a vent. This process is often accompanied by various volcanic activities, including eruptions, lava flows, and the release of gases.

Volcanoes are formed by the movement of tectonic plates in the Earth's crust. They can occur at convergent boundaries (where plates collide), divergent boundaries (where plates move apart), and hotspots (localized areas of intense heat beneath the crust).

The "Ring of Fire" is a horseshoe-shaped area around the Pacific Ocean characterized by high volcanic and seismic activity. It's home to a significant portion of the world's active volcanoes and is prone to frequent earthquakes due to the movement of tectonic plates.

The exact count of volcanoes worldwide is not fixed due to the dynamic nature of volcanic activity. Approximately 1,500 potentially active volcanoes are recognized globally, with the majority clustered around the Pacific Ocean in what's known as the "Ring of Fire."

There are several famous volcanoes around the world, including Mount Vesuvius in Italy, Mount Fuji in Japan, Mount St. Helens in the United States, and Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Hawaii's Mauna Loa and Kilauea are also well-known for their consistent activity.

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Largest Volcanoes in the World List, Distribution, Location

Largest Volcanoes in the World

List of Largest Volcanoes In the World

Distribution of Volcanoes in the World

How Many Volcanoes are there in the World?

Largest Volcanoes In The World FAQs

What is a volcano?

How are volcanoes formed?

What is the Ring of Fire?

How many volcanoes are there in the world?

What are some famous volcanoes?

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