Do you know what Super volcanoes are? Do you know what the popular and dangerous super volcanoes in the world are?
Super volcanoes are simply mega volcanoes that result in danger if exploded.
According to the U.S Geological Survey, super volcanoes are called so only if one of the volcanic eruptions would have released more than 240 cubic miles of material!
As per the name, super volcanoes are quite large and intense. The after-effects are also very powerful!
Fortunately, it is proven that if one of the past volcanic eruptions is massive, it does not mean that the future explosions will also be like the same!
Thousands of people lost their lives and many are homeless because of just one massive explosion.
How Cruel!
If asked which volcanic eruption is the largest, many factors are to be taken into account, like population density around the explosive place, magma type that comes out after the explosion, and many more.
For instance, if you take any explosion in a remote area, it is not as dangerous as the ones in the other cities.
The More Pressure, the More the Intensity!
Let us see some of the dangerous super volcanoes in the world:
- Mount Vesuvius
- Mount Rainier
- Novarupta Volcano
- Mount Pinatubo
- Mount St. Helens
- Mount Agung
- Mount Fuji
- Mount Merapi
- Mount Vesuvius:
Italy’s Mount Vesuvius volcano faced a major explosion in 79 CE and is also said to have buried the city of Pompeii.
Eight major and dangerous explosions occurred during the last 17,000 years.
Mount Vesuvius’ explosions were followed by large pyroclastic flows. Mount Vesuvius last exploded in 1944.
In a survey, it is known that more than six million people live in Vesuvius city and are constantly been watched.
- Mount Rainier:
Mount Rainier is considered one of the largest Super Volcanoes.
The USGS says that the volcano’s high elevation, chemical composition, and many other factors make Mount Rainier more dangerous.
Pyroclastic flows, lava flows, and volcanic ash are produced in enormous amount.
It is a known fact that the heat from Mount Rainier’s lava flows will melt the snow and ice on the volcano.
- Novarupta Volcano:
Formed in 1912, the Novarupta volcano is a well-known largest super volcano in the world.
The explosion sent more than 30 cubic kilometers of ash and debris into the air. It was also the reason why the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes was formed.
The ash cloud spits sulfur all across southern Alaska and also in the parts of Canada.
People in Kodiak suffered from eye soreness and many respiratory issues because of the after-effects caused by the volcanic explosion.
The geologists and scientists take steps to prevent future massive after-effects to affect people who are living in the surrounding areas.
- Mount Pinatubo:
As we all know Mount Pinatubo is situated in the Philippines.
After many years of dormancy, the super volcano became more intense after the 1991 large volcanic explosion.
It is also said to be known as the second-largest eruption of the twentieth century. More than 722 people were killed in the explosion and many people were left homeless.
Today, more than 21 million people live near the region. But, they are residing within 62 miles of Pinatubo.
- Mount St. Helens:
Mount St. Helens’ 1980 explosion is known to be the deadliest and scariest explosion to date.
Fifty-seven people died during the volcanic explosion and many animals also lost their lives.
Agriculture also suffered because of the after-effects. More than 200 sq. miles of forest was destroyed during the explosion.
- Mount Agung:
The more active and rumbling Mount Agung volcano is found in Indonesia.
In 1963, the volcanic explosion has been listed down in the most deadly eruptions. Mount Agung’s recent explosion lasted for nearly eleven months.
The resulting ash fall and pyroclastic flows killed more than a thousand deaths.
Do you know that the ash plumes were found noticed even in 2018?
More than four million people reside near the explosive region, according to the Global Volcanism Program.
- Mount Fuji:
Mount Fuji is found in Japan. 100 kilometers away from Tokyo Mount Fuji is one of the active and scary volcanoes in the world.
Since 1707, Mount Fuji has not yet exploded. In 2014, geology experts warned people that Fuji was going to face another massive explosion with a magnitude scale of 9.
As said, the earthquake raised pressure below Fuji.
The after-effects were also dangerous. It is said that the ash of the volcanic eruption reached far, till Tokyo.
Also, it is said that if one more explosion occurs in Mount Fuji, more than twenty-five million could die, says the Global Volcanism Program.
- Mount Merapi:
Mount Merapi super volcano is located in Indonesia. Mount Merapi has been known as one of the most volcanoes in the world.
According to NASA, the Merapi super volcano’s most dangerous factor is its pyroclastic flows.
The pyroclastic flows are said to damage the properties and lives of people.
Mount Merapi’s recent explosion occurred on May 11. After the explosion, smoke spread all over the region and made it difficult for people.
Today, more than 24 million people reside in the region, according to the Global Volcanism Program.
Conclusion:
As we have seen, these 8 super volcanoes are dangerous. Super volcanoes are unpredictably dangerous. One may think that volcanoes and super volcanoes are the same. But NO!
Super volcanoes are more massive and dangerous. As geologists and scientists say, a super volcano’s after-effects are also scary.
Never think any less of super volcanoes!
Super volcanoes are mega-disasters that could turn the world upside down, when and after exploding. If you think super volcanoes are just affecting the world when exploding, no. The after-effects are as dangerous as the explosion.
Let us see what they are:
Super volcanoes result in the formation of many disasters like avalanches, landslides, mudslides, and acid rain, destruction of agriculture, loss of properties, and loss of lives.
Let us hope that no super volcanoes would erupt again and cause all the above disasters!
