The Eyafjallajökull volcano in Iceland is causing quite the uproar around the world for the problems it has been causing for air travel in and around Europe.
While it’s definitely big in the news and causing a lot of ash, the Eyafjallajökull volcanic eruption is in fact pretty minute compared to Mt. Pinatubo in the Philippines in 1991, rated one of the largest eruptions of recent history, rated at 6 on the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI). Eyafjallajökull comes in at a 2 or 3.
Read on along with tripatlas.com/new as we bring you the five largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history, based on the highest VEI ratings using data from the Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program (www.volcano.si.edu).
See this article in a Photo Slideshow: 5 Biggest volcanic eruptions in history
5 Biggest volcanic eruptions in history
1) Mount Tambora, Lesser Sunda Islands in Indonesia
Date & VEI Rating: April 10, 1815, VEI 7
Located on the Sumbawa Island of Indonesia in the Lesser Sunda Islands, the eruption in 1815 raised the mountain to 14,100 feet, making it the tallest peak within the Indonesian islands. The eruption is known as the largest volcanic eruption in recent history – so large that the blast could be heard more than 2,000 km’s away in Sumatra. 11,000 to 12,000 were killed by the blast and another 60,000 or so died from fallout and starvation.
The eruption caused major climate changes and 1816 was nicknamed the “Year Without a Summer.” Most of the agriculture and livestock in the northern hemisphere died and caused the worst famine of the 19th century.
2) Chang Bai Shan Moutain, Eastern China
Date & VEI Rating: 1000 AD +/- 40 years, VEI 7
Also known as Baitoushan; in Korean as Baegdu or P’aektu-san; and in English as the Eternally White Mountain, this volcano straddles the China/Korea border. The eruption in 1000 AD displaced fragments and ash as far as northern Japan. Within its crater likes Tianchi Lake (Sky or Heaven Lake).
Today, Chang Bai Shan Mountain is a popular ski resort area and the site of Changbaishan National Nature Reserve, a recognized UNESCO site containing hot springs and the 225-foot tall Changbai waterfall.
3) Santorini, Greece
Date & VEI Rating: 1610 BC +/- 10 years, VEI approx 7
Thousands of years ago, Santorini was once a large single island. Today, the popular travel destination is made up of a number of volcanic islands, created in an explosive blast that created several islands and lagoons. The eruption is known as the Minoan or Thera eruption, as it is the chief cause of the collapse of the ruling Minoan civilization. The Minoans ruled from Crete and after the volcanic eruption, a tsunami is thought to have wiped out the civilization. This story is also popularly associated with the lost city of Atlantis.
4) Kikai Volcano in the Ryukyu Islands of Japan
Date & VEI Rating: 4350 BC, VEI 7
Kikai is a submerged volcano approximately 19km’s in diameter in the Osumi Islands in the Kagoshima prefecture of Japan. The ancient Akahoya eruption is a well-known documented part of the region’s history. Emissions including hot gas and rock, is said to have flowed 100km across the sea to Kyushu while ash fell in Hokkaido approximately 1700km’s away.
The volcano is still active and minor eruptions still take place at the connected Mount Io peak in Iojima.
5) Crater Lake, Oregon
Date & VEI Rating: 5677 BC +/- 150 years, VEI 7
Located in the present day United States, Crater Lake in Oregon was formed from the major eruption and collapse of the volcanic Mount Mazama. The lake is almost 2,000-feet deep, is said to have some of the purest waters in North American, is known for its rich-blue hue, and is recognized as the deepest lake in the United States. The Klamath native tribe believes the lake to be sacred and is used as a spiritual and ritual site.
Today, visitors can visit Crater Lake National Park to hike to the waterside or see the lake from observation points along the mountain rim above.
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