Volcanoes are found across the world with 16 very special ones given the title of Decade Volcanoes, which the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior (also known as (IAVCEI) have deemed worthy for study because of the history they possess, their size, proximity to regions with lots of people, and the level of destruction they have caused.
A project was even organized to study the volcanoes in order to teach the public about natural disasters and make an attempt to decrease the severity of such acts. Examples of locations that are home to a Decade Volcano include Washington (Mount Rainier), Guatemala (Santamaria and Santiaguito), the Canary Islands in Spain (Teide), Papua New Guinea (Ulawun), Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan (Sakurajima), and Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan (Mount Unzen). Additional Decade Volcanoes include:
1) Avachinsky-Koryaksky (Russia)
The Avachinsky (also referred to as Avacha or Avacha Volcano or Avachinskaya Sopka) is an active stratovolcano located on the Kamchatka Peninsula, which is in the far east region of Russia. On the Decade Volcano list, alongside a neighboring volcano called Koryaksky , both have produced a history of explosive eruptions and are situated close to locations with large populations.
2) Nevado de Colima (Mexico)
When it comes to the most active volcano in Mexico, Colima’s Volcano is responsible for more than 40 eruptions since 1576. While the volcano is named after the state of Colima, only a small portion of the volcano’s surface area is found here. Most of it is located just across the border of the neighboring state of Jalisco , located close to the western end of the Eje Volcanico Transversal mountain range.
When studying this volcano, you will find two peaks within this structure. The inactive and older part of the volcano is called Nevado de Colima and measures 4,330 meters. The rather active counterpart of Nevado is Volcan de Colmina, which measures 3,860 meters and is also known as Volcan de Fuego de Colima.
It is believed that this Mexican volcano has been active for around five million years. It is noted that during the late Pleistocene era, a large landslide took place at the mountain , sending a great deal of debris about 120 kilometers into the Pacific Ocean. Today, the volcano has created an area that is blanketed by landslide deposits. To date, it seems that every few thousand years, massive collapses take place at the volcano.
3) Mount Etna (Italy)
Sicily is home to a rather well known active stratovolcano positioned on the east coast of the city , close to Catania and Messina. In Europe, Mount Etna holds to title for largest active volcano, standing 3,329 meters tall. Additionally, it is viewed as the highest mountain in Italy south of the Alps. Gaining the status of a Decade Volcano, Mount Etna is deemed one of the most active volcanoes in the world.
Researchers are in awe of what seems like a “constant state of eruption.” However, the volcano is responsible for deeply fertile soils mixed with volcanic materials. The agriculture in the region is booming. Vineyards and orchards located across the lower slopes of the mountain and the broad Plain of Catania greatly benefit. Since the volcano has produced recent activity and is located close to people, the United Nations placed Mount Etna on the list of Decade Volcanoes.