Volcanic eruptions are deadly when they reach the maximum point of fierce!
History has seen so many volcanic eruptions. Some were small, some were huge. But, few eruptions will always remain in one’s mind.
Years May Go, But History Stays The Same!
Even if thousands of eruptions and disasters occur, there will always be a few of the historic ones that will top the list.
Let Us Get To Know Some Of The Biggest Volcanic Eruptions:
Now, What Are Subduction Zones?
If an oceanic plate collides with another plate, it is subducted. Thus, it creates volcanism on the overlying plate.
What is Intraplate Volcanism?
Intraplate volcanism means a third tectonic setting occurs where it results in mantle plumes. And, it will not be related directly to the plate boundaries. For example, hot spot volcanoes fall into this category.
Let us some of the biggest volcanic eruptions that will always be talked about by history:
- Eyafjallajökull Volcano:
In Iceland, the Eyafjallajökull volcano’s eruption created a massive effect on the world’s history.
Though the eruption became a huge disaster to people around the world, it stands first when it comes to the biggest volcanic eruption in the world.
The Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) measure of the volcano is approximately 2 or 3 now.
Also, it is known that the Eyafjallajökull volcano eruptions happen every year. The VEI scale showed a 7 during the volcano’s largest eruption.
Also, the Eyjafjallajökull volcano is 10,000 times less powerful than one in Indonesia’s Sunda Islands in 1815.
What?
According to the Smithsonian’s Global Volcanism Program, the following volcanoes showed 6 in the VEI measure.
Eyafjallajökull volcano is one of the biggest volcanic eruptions in history.
Tambora:
The last eruption of the Tambora volcano was on April 10, 1815.
In modern history, the Tambora volcano is said to have placed the record in the largest eruption.
The Tambora volcanic eruption showed 7 rates in the last 1000 years, says the Global Volcanism Program.
Indonesia is still affected by the after-effects of the explosion of the Tambora volcano. The global temperature has lowered more than 5-degrees F.
In 1816, the whole year experienced no summer. Yes!! You heard it right, NO SUMMER!
Agriculture was also affected by the explosion. Have you ever heard of “the last great subsistence crisis of the Western world?”
This Was The One!
Tambora volcano is also one of the biggest volcanic eruptions.
Krakatoa:
A series of explosions took place in Indonesia and ended on August 27, 1883.
This is called the Krakatoa. It is known that the explosion was heard 3,000 miles away and it crossed the Indian Ocean on Rodrigues Island. This massive explosion was scaled 6 in the VEI SCALE.
This also paved way for a massive tsunami to happen. Because of the tsunami, it is known that a ship that was 50 miles away was blasted by hurricane-force winds.
Really? This Is Such A Huge Disaster I Would Say!
The after-effects were also quite worse. Volcanic ash was blown high into the earth’s atmosphere and it circled the earth for the next two weeks. The sunset was unique, then.
Also, do you know that the famous “Scream” painting was told to be inspired by the Krakatoa volcanic explosion?
Yes, some experts claimed this!
This explained the cause of many unknown winds that took the place later on (including jet steam).
Novarupta:
In the 20th century, the massive Novarupta volcano erupted, making it a historical one.
In a remote area of the Alaska Peninsula, an unknown explosion took place. May experts and scientist’s hard work paid off!
Yes! They found out which volcano was mistakenly noted for nearly more than 0 years.
Geology Helps!
The VEI scale of the volcano surprised everyone. It was known to be 30 times more than Mount St. Helens which had a VEI rate of 5.
This explosion is also said to have caused the collapse of the top of Mount Katmai which was more than six miles away.
The magma chamber under the volcano was completely emptied by the Novarupta explosion. This led way to the collapse of Mount Katmai.
The crater was two miles wide and 800 feet deep!
Pinatubo:
The most recent eruption of Pinatubo showed a VEI rate of 6. Philippines’ one of the active and scary volcanoes is Pinatubo volcano.
But, for the last 500 years, Mount Pinatubo has not created any major disasters.
In 1991, during April and May, many earthquakes were noticed. If another explosion is to happen, it would be more intense and powerful, say experts.
When the major explosion happened, nearly 66000 people were evacuated. 850 people were killed in the eruption.
Santa Maria:
Since the 1700s, the VEI rate was said to reach 6. The Santa Maria volcanic explosion hit the Pacific coast of Guatemala. In 1902, the volcanic explosion was noted in the world record for spewing ash that was found as far away as San Francisco.
Tambora Volcano:
In 1815, the Tambora volcano’s eruption was marked the largest in the world’s history.
Over the past 10,000 years, the eruption has caused a massive effect
The volcano erupted more than 50 cubic kilometers of magma. And also, the collapse formed caldera was 6 km wide and 1250 meters.
Climatic changes were also a total disaster after the explosion took place. On the caldera floor, minor lava domes and flows were extruded.
Before the explosion, the volcano is said to grow up to 4000 meters.
The VEI scale showed 7. The explosion paved way for the pyroclastic flows to mix with the sea.
More than 60,000 deaths were reported because of the explosion.
The village was buried under thick pumice deposits.
Excavations reported that some of the souvenirs were discovered in the recent archaeological excavations.
The site was called the “Pompeii of Indonesia”.
Many massive tsunamis with wave heights of 10 or more meters might have occurred.
Volcano Tours on Hawai’i
Hawaii is also popular for volcanic eruptions. Their volcanoes serve as one of the best places for tourism.
Natural history paves way for the best active volcanoes in Hawaii.
