Volcanoes are the most amazing, mysterious, and exciting natural formations on Earth. An erupting volcano inspires sacred awe with its power and onslaught of fire. Invading human life, volcanoes bring death, destruction, fires, and even the delaying and cancellation of flights.
Mount Etna Eruption Italy Volcano
Of course, man cannot be indifferent to volcanic eruptions. There is an increasing number of those who visit volcano mountains — active or not — and enjoy it immensely. The American edition of Forbes published a list of the 10 most popular volcanoes that brave people can visit.
Pinatubo (Philippines)
- Altitude: 1486 m.;
- Bundok Pinatubo;
- Pinatubo on Google maps;
- Philippines — summary about country.
To swim and sunbathe on a real volcano is, of course, absurd! The last eruption was 21 years ago, which destroyed two American military bases. There were 875 victims of the volcano. Soon after the volcano managed to recover its appearance, it began to rapidly cover with vegetation, and its crater was transformed into a delightfully beautiful lake. Tourist companies immediately took advantage of this fact. The volcano immediately attracted the attention of tourists. Pinatubo annually visits hundreds of tourists from around the world, even though at any time it can start erupting.
Pinatubo volcano
Pinatubo volcano
Pinatubo volcano
Pinatubo volcano
Pinatubo volcano on map
Tourists are driven to the foot of the volcano and then have to hike up on their own. There is nothing difficult in this walk — it is not very tedious, but at the top, there is a reward — a clear lake and a magnificent view of the beautiful area. In general, bathing on the surface of the crater is completely safe, as there is special therapeutic mud. Since the route is laid through the military base, independent climbing is impossible. Near the volcano, there is an opportunity to stay overnight in the village of Santa Juliana. This is the most comfortable option, as the ascent begins around 6 a.m. before the heat starts. In this respect, the hike is quite easy and accessible to children. The view from the top of Mount Pintabu is breathtaking, overlooking Pinatubo Volcano and its surroundings. You can meet the small tribe that inhabits the area. They have wide noses, curly hair, and darker skin than Filipinos.
Eyjafjallajökull (Iceland)
- Altitude: 1,666 m.;
- Eyjafjallajökull on Google maps;
- Iceland summary.
This difficult name has long been a household name. Nevertheless, the volcano itself is little known to anyone. It is no different from other Icelandic peaks. It is remembered for the fact that last spring many flights were canceled all over the world. However, because the ash cloud swept about 9 km over the south of the country, everyone stayed alive. Numerous farms were hit by the elements, destroyed by ash and floods.
Eyjafjallajökull on map
Eyjafjallajökull volcano
Eyjafjallajökull volcano
Eyjafjallajökull volcano
Iceland was hard hit by the economic crisis. But there’s no such thing as happiness… The volcano became world-famous and tourist groups began to climb to the bottom of the volcano. Some travel agencies allow sightseers to climb on foot. The height of the volcano is only 1666 meters.
Generally speaking, climbing on Eyjafjallaekudl was temporarily suspended after the eruption of the neighboring Grimsvon volcano in late spring of this year. But now both fire-breathing mountains have fallen silent, so true extreme hikers will soon be able to enjoy the climb again. If you want to see all the power of volcanoes, you should appreciate them from above.
Karthala (Comoros)
- Altitude: 2361 m.
- Karthala on map;
- Karthala summary.
The Comoros Islands have everything to make your vacation unforgettable and full of bright colors. These islands are some of the most beautiful places in the world with their distinctive coral reefs.
Karthala volcano
There is unique vegetation and animals that you will never see elsewhere. It is impossible to describe the natural beauty that is found in Karthala. This is why many people wish to visit Comoros and experience the pleasure of what they see.
The last volcanic eruption was recorded in January 2007. Once the volcanic activity subsided, fans of extreme sports began to climb to the top of the volcano. And today the most popular route is the one that begins at the village of Mvunni, which is located at the foot of the volcano near the capital of the Komari Islands, Moroni.
Near the volcano, there are lava fields, which attract many sightseers.
Thrill-seekers and extremists can descend into the crater or climb to the volcanic peak.
Karthala volcano
Karthala volcano
Karthala volcano
Karthala volcano
The ascent begins at 5 a.m. to avoid the rays of the scorching sun. As the sun begins to set, hikers stop on the strawberry-covered slopes. There are cows grazing. Life goes on. After a rest, the extreme tourists will go further — they will conquer the summit of Kartal. The hike ends at sunset, and the camp is located directly in the crater of the volcano, which is located on the black sand. In clear and sunny weather, you can see all the islands of the archipelago from here.
St. Helens (USA, Washington)
- Height: 2550 m.
- St. Helens on map;
- Washington summary.
The summit of Mount St. Helens is located in Washington state in the western United States. Once it was just a very beautiful place that attracted a huge number of tourists. The mountain’s snowy cap towers over wooded ravines and beautiful Spirit Lake. Everything changed after the volcano erupted in 1980. It became the most powerful in the history of mankind of the last century. Then the ash-covered four states and the power of the explosion was equal to 500 bombs dropped on Hiroshima.
Mt. Saint Helens in Washington state, USA
Mt. Saint Helens in Washington state, USA
Mt. Saint Helens in Washington state, USA
The stones with sand and dust were thrown out of the crater after the volcanic eruption, they rolled down the slope without encountering resistance, rushing 15 km in less than 7 minutes. About 300 square kilometers of old-growth forests were destroyed and more than half of the animal population was wiped out. People were killed, one of them being photographer Robert Landsburg. For a long time, he had been filming the volcanic eruption and was well aware of the possible dangers. Seeing the pyroclastic flow approaching him, Robert immediately realized that he could not escape death. The photographer snapped unique shots of the raging elements until the last moment, then lay on the ground, covered himself with his backpack, and put his camera under him. Robert was found dead, and under his body was the camera with the surviving pictures. This fact was a real discovery and allowed scientists to understand how the eruption happened. This is a true feat of professionalism.
Today, many tour companies in Seattle offer tours to the summit with a helicopter tour.
Cotopaxi (Ecuador)
- Altitude: 5897 m.
- Cotopaxi on map;
- Cotopaxi summary.
Since the top of Cotopaxi is two craters, it is shaped almost like a perfect circle. According to legend, this volcano, like Mount Olympus, is home to the gods. This peak is one of the most beautiful not only in Ecuador but also in all of South America.
Cotopaxi volcano
Cotopaxi volcano
Cotopaxi volcano
Cotopaxi volcano
Cotopaxi is near Quito, and here in the capital of Ecuador, many travel agencies offer their services to organize the ascent. You do not need any special training, as the altitude here is low.
You can get to the top of the volcano in different ways: by car, motorcycles, bicycles, horses, and even on foot.
Those who like to walk are sure to visit the «Avenue of Volcanoes», a road that runs along the mountains and rare plants. In the western part of the mountains is a forest in the «clouds», where the sun’s rays illuminate the thickest bushes and inhabit, not typical of this area, strange representatives of the world of flora or fauna. Here you can see the famous miniature hummingbird, deer, wild horses, and domestic llamas.
There are tent sites, campsites, and parking lots at the top of Mount Kotopahi. Hiking in the mountains is possible with the help of a professional guide, you just need to bring everything you need to climb. For fans of mountain biking along the roads and beautiful lakes, there are special tracks. Tourists can ride horses in the park for a small fee. There are workshops where products are made of silver, wood, and other natural materials. And if you are a fan of needlework and have a desire to learn how to make something with your own hands, then you are given the opportunity. You can buy it here already a ready thing.
Volcanoes of Kamchatka (Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia)
- ± 500 active volcanoes;
- Volcanoes of Kamchatka on map;
- Petropavlovsk Kamchatka summary.
The beauty, grandeur, and pride of our country — volcanoes in Kamchatka. Many people want to see them. For this reason, the number of tourists on the peninsula has increased in recent years. People come to see the natural giants from all regions of Russia, as well as from abroad.
Volcanoes of Kamchatka Photo
Kamchatka can be called a real kingdom of volcanoes: there are about 500 active volcanoes on the territory of the peninsula, as well as another 28 active ones. Hardly anywhere else there are such places. In autumn on the territory of an extinct volcano in Kamchatka is especially beautiful: birch groves turn golden-red, and birds are singing in the forests. Among all volcanoes in Kamchatka in the Far East, Karymsky is the most active, it has erupted over 20 times in the last decade. They have been erupting for years, one after another. Karymsky volcano is characterized by explosive eruptions. However, if you have already been to Kamchatka, you know very well that there are no such terrible volcanoes. They are open for tourists because people have been living quietly in these territories for many centuries and believe that nothing will happen to them.
Volcanoes of Kamchatka Photo
Volcanoes of Kamchatka Photo
Volcanoes of Kamchatka Photo
Volcanoes of Kamchatka Photo
Volcanoes of Kamchatka Photo
Volcanoes of Kamchatka Photo
Volcanoes of Kamchatka Photo
Volcanoes of Kamchatka Photo
A sightseeing tour includes climbing on foot and flying by helicopter. There are travel agencies that offer a parachute jump to the foot of the volcano for a fee. Here tourists feel the heat of the earth’s gut and pristine silence.
Montagne-Pelée (Martinique)
- Height: 1397 m.
- Montagne-Pelais on map;
- Montagne-Pelais summary.
The volcano has the name «Bald Mountain». It is about a dozen kilometers from the capital of Fort-de-France to the site of Montagne Pélé. It is known for the fact that an eruption in April 1902, destroyed the entire city with all its inhabitants. It was a volcanic disaster of the twentieth century. St. Pierre has wiped off the face of the earth in just one minute. The entire population perished — 30,000 people. By some miracle, only three people survived. During the celebration of the feast of Christ’s ascension to heaven, three clouds of sprayed avalanche, vapors, and gases burst from the volcano and enveloped the entire city. The temperature reached about a thousand degrees Celsius. The town was destroyed in a matter of seconds.
Montagne-Pelée volcano
Montagne-Pelée volcano
Montagne-Pelée volcano
Montagne-Pelée volcano
Montagne-Pelée volcano
The villagers were used to the fact that the volcano was smoking and releasing fumes, but they did not pay attention to it. Most of the people were sure that there was no reason for alarm since something similar had happened before. It was only afterward, on May 8, that a cloud of ash appeared in the sky and covered the city.
The moment it was realized that Montagne Pélé was a danger, panic broke out in the city. People fled and left all their belongings behind. Newspapers told residents that they could safely stay in the city and not even worry. Many people who believed this died.
The last time the volcano was active was in 1932. Now the slope of «Bald Mountain» is quiet, and they even built a museum there. And if you decide to go to the volcano, you will not be bored in Martinique — from the top of Montagne Pelee, you have a magnificent view of the entire island. This ascent is not difficult, as the volcano is only 1,397 meters high.
Taranaki or Egmont (New Zealand)
- Altitude: 2518 m.
- Taranaki or Egmont on map;
- Taranaki or Egmont summary.
Taranaki is the most beautiful and regular cone-shaped mountain on Earth, second only to Japan’s Fujiyama. The mountain has two peaks that have collapsed and re-formed several times. A rain forest grows on the slope of Taranaki Volcano, which covers all the slopes of the volcano like a giant green blanket.
Mosses and lichens can be seen here. And the whole forest hums and whistles. Its inhabitants make sounds that can be heard even at night. Waterfalls form on some parts of the rivers. In good weather, you can see the Tasman Sea from the volcano.
The volcanic slopes of Taranaki attract fans of active tourism, for which there are several eco-routes, as well as sports clubs. And there are a lot of options for leisure activities for tourists and travelers. For example, ski resorts for fans of skiing and snowboarding. In the summer, you can take a trip to Mt. Taranaki itself, and enjoy nature in the picturesque surroundings of Mt.
Kilauea (USA, Hawaii)
- Height: 1247 m.
- Kilauea on map;
- USA summary.
The youngest volcano in Hawaii is Kilauea. At the moment, geoscientists suggest that Kilauea is about 300,000 years old. You can’t climb to the top of Kilauea for only one reason — it is the most active volcano with a huge crater. It throws huge streams of molten lava to the surface, which rumbles and roars into the Pacific Ocean.
Due to today’s volcanic eruptions, the United States authorities have imposed very strict rules of conduct near Kilauea for safety reasons. After all, the lava poses a great danger to people and their health. The speed of lava is much higher than human speed, the temperature is 900 degrees Celsius. Very dangerous are the gases from the volcano, which are released during the eruption.
Under the new law, you are now liable to imprisonment for up to one year and a decent fine.
Despite the risk of being caught or convicted of disorderly conduct, some brave souls do venture out and approach Kilauea. Both tourists and locals are arrested for taking pictures of the lava and taking selfies in front of it. A trip to this volcano is suitable for real extreme people. They do not care about bans.
Kilauea volcano
Kilauea volcano
Kilauea volcano
Kilauea volcano
Kilauea volcano
You should not go near the volcano people who have diseases of the lungs and respiratory tract. The air is saturated with harmful gases and acids.
(Java, Indonesia)
- Altitude: 2386 m.
- Kawa Ijen on map;
- Indonesia summary.
The volcano is very different from its other brethren. Nearby splashes a beautiful lake with a turquoise hue. It is hard to believe that this volcano is active. He is one of the most dangerous and attracts hundreds of tourists. The lake in the crater is filled with a mixture of water and sulfuric acid. The lake is deadly, but you can touch it with your hand. The depth of the crater is 200 meters. People work here, extracting sulfur by hand in hellish conditions. This is very hard and dangerous work. Such miners live no more than 30 years. Even recent eruptions have not interfered with this business.
Kawah Ijen volcano
Kawah Ijen volcano
Kawah Ijen volcano
Kawah Ijen volcano
Kawah Ijen volcano
Kawah Ijen volcano
Kawah Ijen volcano 
Kawah Ijen volcano 
Kawah Ijen volcano
Kawah Ijen volcano
Kawah Ijen volcano
Kawah Ijen volcano
The usual excursion to the volcano is divided into two stages: by car to the 1000m mark and then on foot. This variant of the walk will take a couple of hours and will not require much effort from you. It is worth remembering that everyone going to Kawah Ijen should have a gauze bandage with them, as hydrogen sulfide and acid vapors are detrimental to the lungs. Winding paths lead tourists to the very vent, where they can enjoy the view of a wonderful natural spring. At the highest point of the mountain is a lake. The crater has the appearance of a huge volcano, but as travelers approach it, they can enjoy the spectacular scenery. The rocks are covered with grayish clumps, which is sulfur. It rises to the surface liquid, a rich red-brown color, then creeps down the slope, drawing veins on it and becoming lighter in color. After the sulfur cools, it becomes hard and yellow. These stalactites are sold to tourists as souvenirs. Ijen volcano at night will also delight visitors with its unusual appearance. When the oxidation of liquid sulfur, begins to glow in the darkness of bright blue and blue lights. This mystical phenomenon is called «blue lava» or «blue fire«.
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