The world is home to numerous active volcanoes, with Mauna Loa being the most prominent among them. This volcano, the largest on the planet, may experience a future eruption. Positioned in the southernmost part of the Hawaiian archipelago, Mauna Loa forms half of the Big Island’s land mass and sits north of Kilauea, another active Hawaiian volcano.
Mauna Loa: Understanding its Position and Significance
Mauna Loa forms part of Hawaii’s five volcanic structures, and although it is not the tallest, it is significantly larger than others in terms of land mass. Its close proximity to Kilauea, which has been continuously erupting and notably destroyed 700 homes in 2018, makes Mauna Loa a significant point of interest for volcanic studies. It is noteworthy that Mauna Loa last erupted 38 years ago.
Other Recently Erupted Volcanoes Around the World
Many volcanoes beyond Mauna Loa have recently erupted, including Sangay in Ecuador, Taal in the Philippines, and Merapi, Sinabung, and Semeru in Indonesia. In India, the Barren Island volcano stands out as the only active volcano, with other notable volcanic regions encompassing Narcondam, Baratang, Deccan Traps, Dhinodhar Hills, and Dhosi Hill.
Global Distribution of Volcanoes
Volcanoes dot our planet’s landscapes, predominantly appearing along tectonic plate edges. Still, intra-plate volcanoes also exist, most notably in regions like Hawaii. Some unique locations, such as Iceland, feature both a hotspot and a plate boundary.
World Distribution of Volcanoes: Detailed Overview
Volcanic activity can be categorized into several broad belts, such as the Circum-Pacific Belt, Mid-Continental Belt, Mid Atlantic Ridge, and Intra-Plate Volcanoes.
The Circum-Pacific Belt, also known as the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” is home to 452 volcanoes. Its high seismic activity predominantly affects the Pacific Ocean’s edges and mostly includes active volcanoes on its western edge in regions like Kamchatka Peninsula, Japan, Southeast Asia, and New Zealand.
The Mid-Continental Belt encompasses the Alpine Mountain system, stretching from Europe to North America, and passing through Asia Minor, Caucasia, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Himalayan Mountain system, Tibet, Pamir, Tien-Shan, Altai, and the mountains of China, Myammar, and Eastern Siberia.
The Mid-Atlantic Ridge divides the North and South American Plate from the Eurasian and African Plate. Magma from this ridge rises through fissures, solidifying upon contact with the water and adding to the growing plate margins.
Lastly, Intra-Plate Volcanoes account for the small portion (5%) of volcanoes that aren’t closely related to plate boundaries. These are regarded as hot-spot volcanoes and are associated with deep-mantle plume rises caused by slow convection of viscous material in Earth’s mantle.
Volcanic Activity: An Important Aspect of UPSC Civil Services Examination
Volcanic activity forms a part of prelims and mains examination in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. Past year questions have asked candidates to examine statements about specific volcanoes, such as Barren Island, and answer based on their correctness. Volcanoes play an essential role in shaping our planet’s physical structure, making them a significant area of study in geophysical characteristics and environmental impacts.