Top 10 tallest volcanoes in the world

Although the events related to their eruption are frightening and deadly, scientists recognize that the presence of volcanoes on earth is an essential element of life: it is believed that the volcanoes, thanks to the eruption and consequent condensation of gas, have created the Earth’s atmosphere.
There are thousands of volcanoes all over the world and about 1,300 of these complex and fascinating geological structures are considered active.

In short, the dual destructive and creative potential of volcanoes certainly makes them mysterious places worth a visit, where possible.
From the studies deduced from the Global Volcanism Program of the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC we have compiled a ranking on 10 tallest volcanoes in the world!

10 – Nevado Tres Cruces Central, 6,629 meters

Photo by rempauf. It’s a extinct volcano, located in the Andes north of Chile. With its 6,629 meters high represents the highest point in Chile. The crater on its top extends over 1 km in diameter and is one of the most visited attractions in the country.

• Where is it: Atacama / Chile
• Activity status: off
• Last eruption: 28 thousand years ago

9 – Tipas, 6,660 meters

Photo by Eduardo Viajeros. It is a complex volcano located on the Andes mountain range, in the northwestern part of Argentina, precisely in the province of Catamarca. The surface covers a good 25 square km and is made up of craters, domes and cones. The complex experienced intense activity millions of years ago, while in recent times only smoke emissions are known.

• Where is it: Catamarca / Argentina
• Activity state: dormant
• Latest eruption: unknown

8 – Llullaillaco, 6,739 meters

This volcano is located in the Puna de Atacama region, on the border between Argentina and Chile, No.and near the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places in the world.
To reach the summit is possible choose three different paths, and at various altitudes there are several archaeological sites, among the highest in the world (we are at 6,715 meters high). The climbs started a long time ago, it seems that the ancient people of the Incas had ventured into these areas: probably it is the most important sacred Inca mountain in the region.

• Where is it: Argentina / Chile
• Activity state: dormant
• Last eruption: May 1887

7 – Nevado Tres Cruces, 6,748 meters

Photo of Tierrax. This volcanic massif rises in the Andes mountain range, on the border between Argentina and Chile.
The name is due to the presence of three vertices, two major and one minor. Its structure shows a very intense volcanic activity dating back to millions of years ago and at the top there are numerous craters. Experts do not rule out that the area will become active again in the future. In 1994 the Nevado Tres Cruces National Park was established, where they come organize various excursions and guided tours in altitude.

• Where is it: Argentina / Chile
• Activity state: dormant
• Last eruption: 28,000 years ago

6 – Monte Pissis, 6,793 meters

Photo by 2005biggar. This extinct volcano it is located between the provinces of La Rioja and Catamarca, in Argentina, not far from the border with Chile and the Atacama desert. The proximity to the desert characterizes the dry climate that dominates in this area, even if the presence of a vast glacier can be revealed. The summit is always frozen, therefore the best time to reach it is from December to March, which corresponds to the hottest season. The climb, however long, it is not particularly complicated.

• Where it is: La Rioja / Catamarca, Argentina
• Activity status: off
• Last eruption: 2 million years ago

5 – Ojos del Salado, 6,893 meters

Photo by Isadora Cavieres Vial. The highest active volcano in the world rises on the Andes mountain range, on the border between Argentina and Chile. His structure is the result of a series of layers of lava hardened, and unlike shield volcanoes, its profile is steeper and is classified as a compound volcano.

It is located near the Atacama Desert, and this factor affects his dry appearance, due to the resulting climate that characterizes these areas. The name is due to the presence of salt deposits located in the glaciers, whose shape resembles that of enormous “eyes”. Despite the climate, the volcano it also hosts a permanent lake, 100 meters from the crater; its position makes it the tallest in the world. Several trails are practicable for tourists who want to reach the summit.

• Where is it: Chile / Argentina
• Activity status: active
• Last eruption: November 14, 1993 (with limited ash emissions)

4 – Piton des Neiges, 7,071 meters

Photo of Sovernigo. The volcano rises in Reunion, one of the islands of the French Mascerene archipelago. Given its height it is considered the highest point in the Indian Ocean. It has not been active for at least 20,000 years and its name is due to the presence of the snow that accumulates on the top in winter. Tourists can hike and reach the summit of the volcano following different paths, in just one day it is possible to reach the summit within 10-12 hours but most hikers prefer to divide the route into two days, enjoying the sunrise from above. The refuge at the top, indeed, allows overnight stay in tents with internal heating.

• Where is it: Reunion, France
• Activity state: dormant
• Last eruption: 20,000 years ago

3 – Teide, 7,500 meters

On the podium of the ranking of the highest volcanoes in the world we find this volcano that rises in Tenerife, which with its 7,500 meters (measured from the ocean floor) also represents the highest point in Spain.

The area surrounding the volcano it is part of the Teide National Park, which since 2007 is part of the Unesco World Heritage Site. It is one of the most visited volcanoes in the world and the important one rises on its slopes Teide Observatory,an international astronomical observatory. The top of the volcano can be reached by visitors aboard the cable car, which carries up to 38 passengers, while the last stretch of 200 meters must be covered on foot, through several marked trails.

• Where is it: Canary Islands, Spain
• Activity status: active
• Last eruption: November 1909

2 – Mauna Loa, 9,170 meters

Photo by Mike’s Birds. IS’ one of the five volcanoes that rise on the island of Hawaii. It is a volcanoshield, that is, its structure originated from lava fluids and has probably been active for 700,000 years. Until the 1950s, its volcanic activity destroyed several villages, while no major event followed its last eruption in 1984. However, according to experts, this it is one of the volcanoes considered dangerous to be constantly monitored.
You can make hiking on the flanks of the volcano from 20 to 45 km, whose duration varies from 3 to 5 days.

• Location: Hawaii, United States
• Activity status: active
• Last eruption: from March 24 to April 15, 1984

1 – Mauna Kea, 10,203 meters

In the first place of the Top 10 tallest volcanoes in the world is Mauna Kea. It is a dormant volcano located on the island of Hawaii. Much of its entire structure is located underwater and by calculating its extent from the submarine base it appears that Mauna Kea is also the highest mountain in the world. The last eruption of the volcano dates back to hundreds of thousands of years ago. Currently the highest volcano on earth can be admired thanks to some guided tours organized on the island.

• Location: Hawaii, United States
• Activity state: dormant
• Last eruption: 2460 BC