10 Most Dangerous Volcano's

[Christina]

10 most Dangerous Volcano's in the U.S. On the surface, the Earth is full of businesses, people, animals, and many that don't look or think to look beneath the ground they walk on. Beneath the Earth's surface lies a raging, violent Earth full of hot magma and poisonous gases that can be released at any time through the surface.Earth is violently expressing its power, and we are but watchers of her power and Majesty 1.Mount Kilauea, Hawaii - The most dangerous volcano within the United States has been spewing lava flows going on twenty four years now. It all began on January 3rd, 1983 when within a crater over three thousand feet deep several small eruptions began pouring out lava, dispersing gases, and throwing volcanic ash into the atmosphere. These mini eruptions continued until one day in 1996 a large explosion occurred, which as stated before, is still spewing lava silently. There have been no prolonged periods of inactivity known. On extraordinary occurrences you can view sprays of lava and or commanding outbursts that expel lava across the countryside. Many state that the ongoing eruption from Kilauea can be viewed somewhat frequently in safety at close range. However, a hundred people who were passing the crater of the volcano were killed in a sudden explosive eruption would say differently. The island of Hawaii is under constant air pollution due to the sulfur dioxide and other gases emitted from the volcano. When mixed with the moisture in the atmosphere, acid rain can be created which unavoidably damages crops and can find their way into our home water supplies. Not to mention inhaling the gases can lead to respiratory problems.Researchers and scientists find the Mount Kilauea is one of the best understood volcanoes on the face of the Earth, but yet they are unable to predict when the ongoing eruption will cease. 2. Mt. St. Helens, Washington - This is the one and only volcano I have seen in its' greatness, in person. Standing in live view of this two thousand mile high mountain, as it streamed small bursts of steam and ash into the sky, you can't help but notice the massive indentation of over a mile wide crater right smack dab in the middle of the top of this mountain. Blown off by the catastrophic 1980 eruption, this gives the tall tale sign that this is a violent volcano. Standing in the blast zone, you could see miles and miles of genetically altered trees and the pile up of ash lying at the bottom of nearby creeks and streams. Since 2004 a new lava dome has been in the building process as well as the volcano has been in continuous eruption since then, with frequent rock falls, ash clouds, and earthquakes.We all know that this volcano will blow again, but when, we don't know. On average Mt. St. Helens has been known to erupt on intervals of every one hundred to three hundred years. Of course up until recently there has only been about a 23 year time frame until large signs of activity were seen. 3. Mt. Rainier, Washington - 14,000 foot large volcano that overlooks Seattle and Tacoma Washington. This mountain is the most hazardous due to an eruption targeting a very large population in a lowland area that is at risk for ice, snow, water, mud, even lava run offs from the volcano. The amount of ice that is built up on this volcano is more than any other volcano in the United States.Most of Mt. Rainier was built due to hundreds of lava flows that built up around the vent. Currently, those who monitor as well as those who climb the great mountain witness steam and a warm mist that eminates from areas of the mountain showing that the volcano is still receiving heat from down below. Ash eruptions have occurred within the last hundred years as well as lava eruptions in intervals of two thousand or so years. Previous eruptions have been cataloged as having little or no warning, which also makes this volcano very deadly especially, again, due to the large population that lies below the mountain. Another aspect that makes it very dangerous is that the volcano sits on the rim of two continuously changing tectonic plates, and when these plates smash together it supplies the force needed to drive the magma to the exterior, causing the dreaded eruption. 4. Mt. Hood, Oregon - Setting the astounding scenery for Oregon's largest city, Portland is this 11,239 foot mountain that emits steam and other gases on a regular basis is Mt. Hood. This large volcano has repeatedly erupted for hundreds of thousands of years and has had several collapses and growths of new and old lava domes. Within the last ten years, topographers have recorded small swarms of earthquakes less then a 4.0 magnitude originating from the summit. Many also have said to see a night time glow coming from portions of the mountain known as Crater Rock.Crater Rock is a dome that is within the Mt. Hood volcano that is believed to be the remains of a volcanic rock with a high content of iron that formed about two hundred years ago. Another eruption is forthcoming, however, we don't know when. But we do know is that with the past eruptive behavior, if there are any flows of lava, it tends to pile up over the vent it comes out of and seldom travels more than ten miles from the vent. Even though it would be slow moving lava, it will have the ability to melt large areas of snow and ice and assist in creating a fast moving combination of water, rock and mud down the sides of the mountain possibly flooding down hill areas and valleys.From previous eruptions, we also know that Mt. Hood is very capable of blasting fragments of lava, gas and ash into the air and this mixture does have the ability of traveling hundreds to even thousands of miles downward in the direction of the great city of Portland harmlessly waiting below. Scientists are keeping a close eye on this great volcano due to the constant release of steam from the hot steam vents as well as a frequent rotten egg smell that tells scientists that magma isn't too far away from the surface of the summit. The next eruption is predicted to be a series of small explosions that will contain lava as well as ash and mudslides, however the severity of the prediction can not be pin pointed. So be prepared!5. Mt. Shasta, California - An interesting number five dangerous threat. This four thousand mile high mountain actually consists of four overlapping volcanic cones. This large stratovolcano has gone from erupting every 800 years to every 600 years to every 200 years, which as its declination of eruptions make it very likely for another one since the most recent eruption was in 1786. Mt. Shasta as well as all of the volcanoes on this list are listed among a group of very high threat volcanoes. Not only because there could be a soon probability of an eruption, but because scientists do not have the tremendous amount of technology that is needed in order to monitor and detect the deep motions and habits of the mountain that may escalate to something severe. Mt. Shasta is not a regular erupting volcano as stated above. If the past is the key to the future, then areas of Mt. Shasta are in for a display of nature's fury soon enough.6. Three Sisters (South Sister), Oregon - The Three Sisters are located in Oregon and are a cluster of closely grouped together volcanoes. The North Sister, also known as Mount Faith, is over ten thousand eighty five feet high. The Middle Sister, also known as Mount Hope, is almost ten thousand forty seven feet high and lastly, the South Sister, also known as Mount Charity is the highest at ten thousand three hundred and fifty eight feet in height. When it comes to volcanoes, height is important in a way where the height along with its volume and mass can determine just how much magma is building up inside of it, getting ready to blow its top. As for the Three Sisters, they are one of three potentially active volcanoes that are positioned in close vicinity to rapidly growing communities. Scientists have been detecting uplift for a long time now of the surface of the ground over a region centered west of South Sister. Since the first detection of the rise, it has been calculated that the South Sister has rose at a rate of 1.4 inches per year. The South Sister is the most feared for eruption because of the recent stead uplift as well as the hundreds of small earthquakes that are being experienced where the uplift is occurring. Scientists believe that beneath the uplift lies a chamber that is holding over four miles of magma. South Sister currently has hundreds of volcanic vents that are located primarily around the uplift area. Because South Sister is part of a trio of volcanoes that means that the other two volcanoes can affect each other because of the possibility of sharing the same hot spot. Hot spot meaning the open fissure in the Earth that force out the inner magma and gasses from the Earth. The uplift is causing quite a stir with scientists because of the inner magma raising an estimation of ten feet per year, causing a bulge. It is said that the bulge is right on track considering the past eruption history, that the South Sister is due for another eruption. Especially since South Sister is the youngest of the three, she is still very lively.The latest eruptions from South Sister happened in two thousand year intervals. The previous research of the last eruptions showed very explosive ones that produced lava flows, mudflows, and thick ash and rock fragments. So, y'all that are resting comfortable below the Three Sisters, keep an eye on that bulge!7. Lassen Volcanic Center, California - Now this is a scary place. The Lassen region contains more than thirty, count them, thirty volcanic domes that have erupted over the past three hundred thousand years and the largest of the groups is called Lassen Peak. Even though there has been no sign of a large eruption for about 10,000 years, the area has felt small eruptions in the early 1900's. Thirty domes, all active and volcanic pose a threat to those areas that are downwind from the volcanoes. Lava flows and mudflows cause a huge hazard in such areas like Hat Creek Valley. Downhill cities such as Hat Creek Valley will be hit with mudslides and rockslides as well as possible lava flows. Ash fall predictions from previous eruptions calculated that ash would travel several inches thick to be deposited throughout northern California, Nevada, as well as Southern Idaho and Oregon. Volcanic activity isn't the only thing that is present in the Lassen area; because the ground is heavily heated, geothermal activity is spread out through the entire park. The Sulphur Works will have you holding your nose to the smells of hydrogen sulfide, a 16 acre hot spring and mud pot area called Bumpass Hell will have you fanning yourself for some cool air, and Devil's Kitchen will have you in awe as you check out the hot springs of acid that have eaten holes in the foundation. Temperatures in the Volcanic Park have been recorded to be as high as 230 degrees Fahrenheit. That alone should tell you the dangerous heat that is building up underneath this massive area of volcanoes. Geologists state that they are aware of the warning signs that predict an upcoming eruption and say that these warning signs can show up a few weeks prior to the eruption. Since we know that we know the warning signs for a pending eruption, what are the chances of one happening and when?Lassen area volcanoes erupt occasionally, but also can lie silent for centuries without feeling a shake. Due to the high geothermal activity, future eruptions are very likely. 8. Mauna Loa Volcano, Hawaii - Hawaii, one of the most tranquil and amazing areas are filled with signs showing the liveliness of the Earth. Hawaii is home to the world's largest volcano, Mauna Loa. This volcano is called a shield volcano, meaning it's a large volcano with very shallow sloping sides. This volcano takes up 18,000 cubic miles and has been erupting for 700,000 years. Scientists have been monitoring constant earthquakes coming from the volcano and have found that there is a sudden rise within the caldera meaning that there is magma building up inside, which ultimately states that there is likely to be an eruption soon. Soon could mean within the next month or in the next few years. Mauna Loa ranks number eight on this list because of its dangerous lava flows. Most of the lava flows are very slow and you could probably outrun them. No one has really gotten killed due to the lava flows, however the bad thing about the lava is that in just one eruption, Mauna Loa discharges as much lava in a three week time period than its sister volcano, Kilauea, would discharge in three years 9. Redoubt Volcano, Alaska - Located in Southwestern Alaska, this 3108 meters high volcanic cone shaped volcano looks down upon Lake Clark National Park with fury. Redoubt Volcano was created over 890,000 years ago when forceful eruptions of hot rock and magma were ejected upward from the volcanic vent and piled up around the vent, creating the Redoubt Volcano. The latest eruption was from 1989 to 1990 and brought a lot of attention to those living in a hundred miles radius as well as the air travel. The eruption in 1989 makes it the fourth time it has erupted in this century. The top of the volcano is covered with snow and ice, therefore when it had erupted; all the melted snow and ice formed a mudflow into the valley. It is Currently on eruption Watch .Alert orange10. Crater Lake, Oregon - Crater Lake is a volcanic cauldron that was formed by the cave in of the land after an eruption from the volcano Mount Mazama. The lake portion of the caldera fills nearly four thousand feet of the area. After the mountain's eruption and collapse, later eruptions created various cinder cones surrounding the caldera. The lake is the deepest lake in the United States and the second deepest lake in the Western Hemisphere with a depth of 1932 feet, however as Crater Lake continues to erupt, lava flows will begin to assemble and over time it will decline the deepness of the lake and perhaps partition it into more than one body of water. The water that fills up the caldera is said to be free of pollutants and has no inlets. So what makes this the 10th most dangerous volcano in the United States? Scientists have been studying the lake and have found that there are many hydrothermal vents that heat up pockets at the base of the water and confirm that after a half a million years the volcano is still very full of life. The area around Crater Lake's rim is subject to suffer the most damage from any explosive eruptions that would occur, an area of up to 500 miles above the lakes surface would be affected as well. Past that 500 miles out another 500 miles are areas that contain volcanic vents, not volcanoes that are less then 100,000 years old and have the probability of eruption that is estimated to be an eruption at least on in every 5,000 vents in a thirty year probability. Several fault lines also run in and around Crater Lake, which can disturb the caldera if an earthquake would occur. Volcano related events are of high consequence but low probability for those that are living in the blast zone of Crater Lake. Scientists have been monitoring the behavioral patterns of the long history of volcanism beneath Crater Lake and due to the probability of eruption, it has been determined that because the majority of the volcano is underwater, magma mixing with water can act violently and become very explosive.