Violent Volcanoes
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Whether they're erupting lava, exploding or throwing ash sky high, volcanoes are a sight to be seen. CTVNews.ca looks at 10 of the world's most violent volcanoes of the past two decades. -
Popocatepetl is one of Mexico's most violent active volcanoes with more than 15 major eruptions over the past 500 years. Located 55 kilometres east of Mexico City, at 5,426 metres in height, it's the second tallest peak in Mexico.
The Popocatepetl volcano spews fumes and ashes in central Mexico early on Dec. 19, 2000. -
Located near Legazpi City in the Philippines, Mount Mayon has been very active over the past six years, erupting three times. Mayon's deadliest moment came in 1897 when a seven-day eruption killed 1,335 people. Mayon was designated a national park in 2000.
Lava continues to flow from the crater of Mayon Volcano on Dec. 29, 2009. -
One of Africa's most active volcanos, Mount Nyiragongo is the ultimate symbol of death in Goma, the lakeside city it shadows and has overrun several times. A 1977 eruption collapsed a crater wall, spilling a lake of lava down the slopes. Another eruption in 2002 claimed 147 lives.
Magma churns and gushes in the lava lake of Mount Nyiragongo outside Goma, Congo on March 31, 2010. -
The Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland is covered by an ice cap. In April 2010, Eyjafjallajokull let loose with an explosive eruption that threw ash several kilometres into the atmosphere, causing the closure of airspace over many parts of Europe and the disruption of air travel in the region for six days.
Lighting is seen amid the lava and ash erupting from the vent of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in central Iceland on April 18 2010. -
Dormant for a century, Guatemala's Pacaya volcano erupted violently in 1965 and has remained active ever since. On May 27, 2010, Pacaya erupted lava and rocks, raining ash down on many Guatemalan cities, forcing thousands of people to evacuate. A Guatemalan reporter covering the event was killed by volcanic debris.
People watch Pacaya volcano erupt in Villa Canales, 50 km south of Guatemala City on June 4, 2010. -
Mount Merapi loosely translates to 'Fire Mountain.' Located near Yogyakarta city, it's Indonesia's most active volcano. Merapi has erupted regularly since 1548 with two major eruptions since 2006. On Oct. 25, 2010, Merapi spilled lava, displacing hundreds of thousands of people and killing 353.
Lava glows at the crater of Mount Merapi as seen from Deles, Central Java, Indonesia, on Nov. 2, 2010. -
Ecuador's Tungurahua volcano runs in 80-to 100-year cycles of activity and became active again in 1999 with five major eruptions since 2006, the most recent in 2011. Tungurahua erupted on Aug. 16, 2006, sending a 10 km high ash plume into the sky, killing five people while destroying several villages.
The Tungurahua volcano spews ashes during an explosion in Pelileo, Ecuador, on Dec. 5, 2010. -
Puyehue is just one of four volcanoes that form the Puyehue-Cordon Caulle Volcanic Complex. Largely dormant since 1960, Puyehue exploded on June 4, 2011, forcing 3,500 people to flee. Airports as far away as Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Melbourne, Australia, were closed.
Lightning strikes over the Puyehue volcano, over 800 kilometres south of Santiago, Chile on June 6, 2011. -
Mount Lokon, together with Mount Empung, is a twin volcano near Manado, Indonesia. Lokon is the higher peak of the two active volcanoes. Lokon erupted ash and lava in 2011, sending thousands fleeing from their homes. No casualties were reported.
The glow of lava from Mount Lokon's eruption is seen against the night sky as seen from Tomohon, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, on July 14, 2011. -
The tallest active volcano in Europe, Mount Etna sits on the east coast of Sicily in Italy. Etna is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. In Greek mythology, the deadly monster Typhon was trapped under this mountain by Zeus.
Lava flows during an eruption of Mt. Etna volcano, near Catania, Sicily, in the early hours of Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012.
