Volcanoes stand as some of Earth’s most captivating and breathtaking natural spectacles.
They sculpt magnificent terrains, yield precious resources, and unleash formidable forces.
Yet, one may wonder: which volcanoes claim the title of the world’s largest, and how do they measure up in terms of size, form, and activity?
In this article, we will explore the top 10 biggest volcanoes in the world, based on different criteria such as height, volume, area, and eruption history.
Height: The Biggest Volcanoes
Measuring a volcano‘s magnitude can be accomplished by assessing its elevation, or the extent to which it ascends beyond sea level.
This metric provides insight into a volcano’s prominence and influence within its environment.
Nevertheless, relying solely on height fails to provide a comprehensive assessment of a volcano’s true size in terms of mass or volume, as certain volcanoes may possess a wide base or extend extensively beneath the Earth’s surface.
Here are the top 10 biggest volcano in the world:
Ojos del Salado (6,893 m)
Situated along the border between Argentina and Chile within the Andes mountain range, this volcanic peak stands as the loftiest active volcano globally, and it also claims the title of the highest mountain in Chile.
Named “Eyes of the Salty One” in Spanish, it references the salt lakes that grace its summit vicinity.
Ojos del Salado has maintained dormancy since its last eruption in 1993.
Nevado Sajama (6,542 m)
Volcán Nevado Sajama (6.542 m) , Bolivia
(Photo by Anna Gibiskys) pic.twitter.com/uOHkgtx0hZ— Reda Bellal Delgado (@RedaBellal) March 14, 2014
This volcano can be found in Bolivia, close to the Chilean border.
It stands as Bolivia’s tallest peak and is a prominent feature of the Cordillera Occidental, which is a part of the Andes mountain range.
Nevado Sajama is a dormant volcano, with its last eruption dating back approximately 25,000 years.
It boasts a symmetric cone shape and is cloaked in glaciers.
Llullaillaco (6,739 m)
Llullaillaco, volcán (6.739 m) – Andes (Chile, Argentina) pic.twitter.com/uP0sX86vXr
— Andres Cancino (@Zherkov9) August 13, 2015
Located on the boundary between Argentina and Chile within the arid expanse of the Atacama Desert, the Llullaillaco volcano stands as the third-highest active volcano globally.
Renowned for its extreme aridity, it has a history of explosive eruptions, with the last documented eruption taking place in 1877.
Children of Llullaillaco :
They are three Inca child mummies discovered on 1999 near the summit of Llullaillaco, 6,739m stratovolcano, in Andes mountains on border between Chile and Argentina.
Children were sacrificed in an Inca religious ritual, 1500 AD.#archaeohistories pic.twitter.com/DxhIRCmu8V— Archaeo – Histories (@archeohistories) January 2, 2022
Additionally, this iconic site gained historical significance as the very location where, approximately 500 years ago, three Inca children were ritually sacrificed and subsequently mummified.
Parinacota (6,348 m)
Volcán Parinacota (6.348 m), frontera entre Chile y Bolivia
(Photo by Anna Gibiskys) pic.twitter.com/MdjfMK2cmn— Reda Bellal Delgado (@RedaBellal) March 15, 2014
Situated in Chile, near the border with Bolivia, this volcano finds its home within the Lauca National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that boasts a rich tapestry of ecosystems and wildlife.
Parinacota, a dormant volcano, saw its last eruption roughly around 290 AD.
To the north, it has a companion in the form of Pomerape, another twin volcano.
Chimborazo (6,268 m)
Located approximately 150 kilometers to the south of Quito, Ecuador, this volcano stands as the tallest peak in the country.
Positioned near the equator, it holds the distinction of being the farthest point from the Earth’s center.
Chimborazo, an inactive volcano, witnessed its last eruption around 550 AD.
This majestic mountain boasts four summits and is enveloped by glaciers.
Cotopaxi (5,897 m)
Cotopaxi (5,897 m) is an active stratovolcano in the Andes Mountains, located in the Latacunga canton, Ecuador. pic.twitter.com/V6PcLM4In7
— Travel (@AmitripsTravel) March 30, 2016
This volcano can be found in Ecuador, situated approximately 50 kilometers to the south of Quito.
It ranks among the world’s most active volcanoes, with over 50 eruptions recorded since 1738.
In the Quechua language, native to South America, it is known as “Neck of the Moon.”
Cotopaxi boasts a pristine, cone-shaped structure and a sizable crater filled with ice.
Kilimanjaro (5,895 m)
Facts about The Mountain Kilimanjaro.
Highest Mountain in Africa (5,895 m)
Highest Freestanding Mountain in the World
Located in Tanzania
Africa's Tallest Indigenous Tree lives on Kilimanjaro
Five Unique Ecosystems on the Mountain
It's a Life accomplishment#TzHotelsAmazing pic.twitter.com/aanZoRAuUE— Hade. (@hade_travel) August 19, 2020
This volcano is located on the border of Tanzania and Kenya.
It holds the distinction of being Africa’s tallest peak and is one of the Seven Summits, which represent the highest mountains on each continent.
Kilimanjaro is, in fact, a composite of three volcanic cones: Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira.
Among these, Kibo stands as both the loftiest and most recent, exhibiting ongoing volcanic activity within its crater.
Damavand (5,610 m)
The majestic Mount Damavand 🏔️😍
With the summit reaching 18,406 feet (5,610 m), it is the highest peak in #Iran and the Middle East.
Photo: Ali Arjmandi pic.twitter.com/A9bKK8A9bU— Living in Tehran (LiT) (@LivinginTehran) February 21, 2023
Situated approximately 70 kilometers to the northeast of Tehran, you’ll find the prominent Damavand volcano.
This natural wonder boasts the title of being both the tallest mountain in Iran and the loftiest volcano across the entire Asian continent.
Damavand, an ostensibly active volcano, experienced its last eruption roughly 5,300 years ago, leaving behind a striking conical silhouette.
At its summit, you can observe a sulfuric fumarole, adding to the volcano’s distinctive character.
Elbrus (5,642 m)
Mount Elbrus (5,642 m) is the highest mountain in Russia and in Europe pic.twitter.com/r4x3ttuD42
— GetRussia.com (@GetRussiaCom) December 4, 2016
Located near the border with Georgia in Russia, this volcano stands as the tallest peak in Europe, and it is also one of the revered Seven Summits.
Elbrus is a dormant volcano, with its last eruption dating back to around 50 AD.
This magnificent peak features two summits linked by a saddle.
Mauna Kea (4,205 m)
Mauna Kea is the tallest volcano in Hawaii, rising 13,803 ft (4,207 m) above sea level. Average rainfall at the top of the mountain is about 8 inches (205 mm) per year and average temperatures are 39 ˚ F (3.8 ˚ C), making it the driest and coldest place in Hawaii. pic.twitter.com/jFENrpFAPp
— Hawai'i Climate Data Portal (@hiclimateportal) December 31, 2021
This volcano, known as Mauna Kea, is situated in Hawaii, specifically on the island of Hawaii.
It holds the distinction of being the tallest mountain in Hawaii and, when measured from its base on the ocean floor to its summit, is also the world’s highest mountain.
Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano, with its most recent eruption occurring approximately 4600 BC.
Its topography features a broad and gentle slope, and it hosts several astronomical observatories.
Conclusion
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