Volcanoes
From World travel guide
Volcanoes come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Although the name evokes images of the conical mountain spouting forth ash and lava, such events are rare, though often newsworthy, and are probably best seen on the TV news, rather than witnessed up close and in person. However, many volcanoes around the world are tourist attractions in their own right and are worth a visit, so one can appreciate the awesome power of nature.
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Understand
Some of the largest volcanoes on earth are not recognisable as such. For example, Yellowstone in the United States and Taupo in New Zealand are known as super-volcanoes. They are so big that, for many years, geologists did not appreciate that these features were volcanoes in their own rights. Compared to these, the currently active volcanoes on earth are relatively small!
Although there are a number of active volcanoes around the world, there are many more that are inactive, or extinct. One can still appreciate the awesome power of nature from these places, but without the hazards.
Geothermal Areas
Throughout the world, one may also encounter geothermal areas. These places are often, though not always associated with volcanic activity. Many of the hazards encountered in geothermal areas are similar to volcanic hazards, because the same geological mechanisms are at work.
Preparations
Stay Safe
If you are intending to venture into an area containing a highly active volcano be aware that you are entering a hazard zone. Depending on the level of activity, the hazard zone may extend for several hundred kilometres. Also, volcanic ash tends to stop engines, so transportation in the area may be restricted or disrupted. Public safety authorities may order hazard areas evacuated and would normally prefer that the casual tourist stayed well away. Unless you have some very genuine reasons for going to these places, the best advice is to stay away and watch it, at home, on the TV news.
When active volcanoes are not erupting many of them can be approached reasonably closely in safety. However, when visiting active volcanic areas, there are still plenty of hazards. New lava flows may still be very hot and only covered with a thin crust of solid rock. Old lava flows can be as sharp as broken glass. Pools of water and mud can be boiling hot, acidic or poisonous. Land may subside, or erupt hot water or mud, unexpectedly. Noxious gases may come out of vents or similar holes in the ground and may be concentrated in enclosed lowlying spaces such as caves, manholes, and pool enclosures.
Active Volcanoes
A selection of some of the more active volcanoes in the world today. Many of these can be explored up close:
- Kilauea near Hilo in Hawaii has had an active lava flow for over ten years.
- Mount St. Helens, in Washington State USA, famously erupted in 1980.
- Popocatepetl Volcano Near Mexico City There is often a cloud above the massive crater which is 5,450m high.
- Cotopaxi and Chimborazo Volcanoes near Quito, Ecuador, are two of the highest volcanoes in the world and are easier to visit than the few higher ones.
- Mt. Vesuvius near Naples in Italy is an active (but presently 'dormant') volcano. Has not been smoking since it last erupted in 1944.
- Stromboli and Mount Etna in Sicily, Italy are both active and easy to visit.
- Mt. Bromo in Java often emits white smoke.
- Mayon Volcano near Manila in the Philippines sometimes described as the world's most perfect volcano cone.
- Mount Ruapehu, which is New Zealand's most active volcano, has a crater lake that forms and fills when the volcano is not erupting.
- The Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica can be viewed bubbling away and lighting up the night sky.
- Nisyros in the Greek Dodecanese islands is mildly active with smoking fumaroles. It is possible to walk into the crater floor for a closer look.
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