World’s Most Unusual Volcanoes

Volcanoes have been a source of myths for a long time. Earlier, people used to believe that volcanoes’ power could only be understood as acts of God or demigods. However, we know that volcanoes are the consequence of the tectonic movements of the Earth’s crust. 

 

The Earth is organized on tectonic plates. Ridges are present between these tectonic plates. The Mid-Atlantic ridge stretches from north to south along the Atlantic Ocean and through the middle of Iceland. 

 

Although we have understood a lot of their inner workings, Volcanoes still depict a force of nature that can be frightening and bewildering. Here is the list of the most unusual volcanoes in the world.

 

Mount Yasur

 

An active volcano on Tanna Island, Mount Yasur has a height of 1,184 ft above sea level. The light of the volcano was clearly what fascinated Captain James Cook on his main European journey to Tanna Island in 1774. 

 

It is amongst the most easily accessible live volcanoes in the world. You could walk right up and down into its fiery belly. Its outbreaks, with flying ash, fire and brimstone generally occur many times an hour.

 

Hekla

 

It is the volcano that emits most often. In the last 70 years, it has erupted six times.

 

In the middle ages, it was supposed to be the opening to hell. However, we all understand that is not real. After erupting in 2000, volcanologists have kept a close eye on it. It has shown many indications of erupting. 

 

It is believed the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull’s explosion cleared out the magma chambers for the nearby volcanoes as well. Hekla is amongst the 2000 legal female names in Iceland.

 

Mount Etna

 

The second-largest active volcano in Europe, Mount Etna stands 10,922 ft high, though this varies with summit eruptions. The peak is 69 ft deeper now than it was in 1981. 

 

Situated on the east coast of Sicily, the volcanic soil is fertile which supports extensive agriculture. Orchards and vineyards are spread in the lower slopes of Mount Etna and the wide Plain of Catania to the south.

 

Vesuvius

 

Mount Vesuvius is amongst the only volcanoes in Continental Europe that stand about 1281 meters tall. It is a Stratovolcano at the convergent boundary. Here the African Plate is being subducted beneath the Eurasian Plate. 

 

Vesuvius has generated the continent’s biggest volcanic eruptions. Placed on Italy’s west coast, it rests in the crater of the ancient Somma volcano. 

 

Mount Vesuvius is considered to be an active volcano. Therefore, it could very well erupt again. It is settled on the tip of a deep layer of magma that goes 154 miles deep into the earth.

 

Reykjanes

 

Reykjanes volcano is an enormous fissure system on the peninsula in SW Iceland. It is set where the Mid Atlantic Ridge rises onto land. 

 

On the Reykjanes peninsula, the junction between the American tectonic plates and the European of the earth’s crust is extra noticeable and comprehensible than anywhere else. 

 

The surprising, rugged landscape of Reykjanes has lava fields, volcanic craters, caves, geothermal waters, and hot springs, an extension to an assortment of museums, restaurants, churches, and lighthouses.

 

Osorno Volcano

 

Situated in the Los Lagos Region of Chile, Volcán Osorno is 8,701 feet tall conical stratovolcano. It sits on the southeastern shore of Lake Llanquihue. It also towers over Todos Los Santos Lake. 

 

Osorno is famous worldwide as an emblem of the local landscape and is cited for its identical appearance to Mount Fuji. Osorno is amongst the most active volcanoes of the southern Chilean Andes. Between 1575 and 1869 total 11 eruptions were recorded between the lava that flowed during the eruptions reached both Todos los Santos Lakes and Llanquihue.

 

Mauna Loa

 

When speaking about volcanoes, Mauna Loa is one of the Earth’s most active volcanoes. Dominating the terrain of Hawaii and active for the last 700,000 years, Mauna Loa is the biggest shield volcano on Earth (above water).

It has had more than 33 well-documented eruptions in historic times since 1843. In 1984, it had its last eruption. However, Mauna Loa has been showing signs of an apparent awakening since 2004.

 

A geologist at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science at the University of Miami, Bhuvan Varugu said, “An earthquake of magnitude 6 or greater would relieve the stress imparted by the influx of magma along a sub-horizontal fault under the western flank of the volcano.”

 

Since 1912, Mauna Loa has been surveyed intensively by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Observations of the Sun are attempted at the Mauna Loa Solar Observatory and of the environment at the Mauna Loa Observatory. Both are situated near the mountain’s summit. 

 

Mauna Loa caused a lot of damage. For example, it has affected human health due to volcanic air pollution. It has cut off a lot of their living supplies like water, power, crops, food, cattle etc. While being in progress, it devastated a coastal village, destroyed fishponds and demolished all their possessions.

 

Öræfajökull

 

Öræfajökull volcano is under a glacier. Such was its effect that it was in the news a couple of months ago. Scientists are monitoring it closely since it appears it will explode very soon. It is Iceland’s biggest volcano. 

 

The glacier under which it lies encompasses the tallest peak of Iceland, which is 2,110 meters high. It also occupies a portion of Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajökull. The volcano’s caldera had declined more than 20 meters! Öræfajökull isn’t a legal female name in Iceland.

 

Mount Fagradalsfjal

 

After many earthquakes, the most recent volcano eruption is near Mount Fagradalsfjal. This has been active for the first time in 6.000 years. This long-dormant volcano was awakened with an eruption on 10th March 2021. This is now known as Geldingadalsgos on 19th March 2021.

 

Fagradalsfjall is a Tuya volcano set in the Last Glacial Period on the Reykjanes Peninsula which is around 40 kilometers from Reykjavík, Iceland. Fagradalsfjall is the name for the wider volcanic system encircling an area 5 kilometers wide and 15 kilometers long between the Krýsuvík systems and Svartsengi.


The lava busted out of a small fissure in the ground. There was a moderate fountain with the entire eruption area acquiring less than 1km2. Relying on how much magma it is left beneath, the lava has been fountaining for many days.

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