10 world’s most destructive and dangerous volcanic eruptions in history
Volcanic eruptions can devastate cities, change the world’s atmosphere, and devastate economic systems. They can create molten lava rivers, mudslides, suffocating ash, and poisonous gases that cause chaos around the world for years.
The Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI), like the Richter scale for earthquakes, is used to determine the magnitude of a volcanic eruption. Volcanic explosions are ranked from 1 to 8, with 1 being a gentle lava outpouring and 8 being a mega-colossal eruption.
The size of an eruption is a strong indicator, but it does not always predict its effect. Calculating the potential loss of life is one of the most common ways to assess the severity of an eruption. Deaths can occur not only as a result of an eruption’s effect, but also as a result of a lack of food.
Economically, volcanic eruptions can be devastating. Although calculating the economic cost of ancient eruptions is primarily theoretical, the costs of more recent eruptions are determined by calculating the loss of infrastructure and income to local residents. Volcanic eruptions cost $152.6 billion in damages between 1995 and 2015, or $7.6 billion per year, according to a United Nations report.
A volcanic explosion’s effects can be massive, from its size to its death toll to its economic cost. Here is ten world’s most destructive and dangerous volcanic eruption in history:
1. Santa Maria, Guatemala, 25 October 1902 (VEI6)
The Santa Maria volcano was inactive for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. That is, until 1902 when it erupted violently due to a series of earthquakes in the Central American region. At least 5000 people were killed in the eruption, but many believe this figure is exaggerated. Over the course of 19 days, the eruption created a 28-kilometer-high column of pyroclastic debris, resulting in 5.5 km3 of pyroclastic debris. For days, the ash from the eruption obscured Guatemala’s sky, spreading all the way to San Francisco. Damages are estimated to be in the millions of dollars.
2. Mt Vesuvius, Italy, 79 AD (VEI5)
Mt Vesuvius has erupted many times in human history, but the most famous is the terrifying eruption of 79AD. On August 24, Vesuvius erupted, burying the surrounding cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum in ash, mud, and poisonous gases. The eruption claimed the lives of 16,000 people. The cities were not excavated and rediscovered until 1595. The cost of a similar eruption today will be in the billions.
3. Mount Pinatubo, Philippines, 1991 (VEI6)
The Mount Pinatubo eruption was the twentieth century’s second-largest volcanic eruption. The volcano erupted on June 15, sending a 35-kilometer-high ash cloud into the sky. The eruption triggered huge pyroclastic flows and expelled nearly 20 million tons of sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere, lowering global temperatures. Despite the fact that only 722 people were killed, the eruption affected over 200,000 people. The cost of the eruption was estimated to be in the range of $200 million.
4. Nevado del Ruiz, Columbia, 1985 (VEI3)
Despite its small scale, the eruption of Nevado del Ruiz had catastrophic consequences. The mudflow that followed the eruption was the most devastating aspect of the event, burying the town of Armero and killing 20,000 people. The most destructive volcanic eruption, according to the International Disaster Database, was Nevado, which cost an estimated $1 billion.
5. Mt Unzen, Japan, 1792 (VEI2)
Mt. Unzen’s eruption is still Japan’s deadliest volcanic eruption. The explosion caused the volcano’s dome to collapse, resulting in a huge landslide that buried Shimabara and flowed into the sea, causing a 57-meter-high tsunami. Around 15,000 people were killed in the disaster. Damages to agriculture and fisheries facilities is expected to cost $17.4 billion yen ($150 million).
6. Ilopango, El Salvador, 450AD (VEI6+)
Ilopango’s first eruption, in 450 AD, was the second-largest volcanic eruption in the last 200,000 years. The magnitude of this eruption is thought to have killed many Mayan cities. For more than a year, the skies were filled with ash and dust. It is estimated that up to 100,000 people were killed and over 400,000 were displaced as a result of the eruption. It is believed to have been the cause of the AD 535-536 global cooling, which resulted in crop failures from Rome to China.
7. Mt Pelee, Caribbean, 1902 (VEI4)
Mt Pelee was believed to be inactive until it erupted in the worst eruption of the twentieth century. Mt Pelee erupted with a blast of hot gas and volcanic rubble on May 8, devastating the entire city of St Pierre. Just two people out of the 28,000 who lived in St. Pierre survived. The eruption was estimated to have cost $50 million.
8. Laki, Iceland, 1783 (VEI6)
The Laki eruption’s destruction was felt around the world for years after it happened. The eruption at Laki lasted 8 months and ejected 14.7km3 of lava. Toxic gases polluted Iceland’s crops and destroyed 60% of the country’s grazing livestock. The volcano emitted enough sulfur dioxide to trigger acid rain and a decrease in global temperatures. A famine followed the eruption, killing over 10,000 Icelanders, about a quarter of the country’s population at the time. As Laki’s toxic eruption spread south, it killed 23,000 people in the United Kingdom and triggered a famine in Egypt. The European famine triggered by the eruption, according to some environmental historians, may have been a trigger for the French Revolution.
9. Krakatoa, Indonesia, 1883 (VEI 6)
Krakatoa, an Indonesian volcano, erupted in one of the most destructive eruptions in modern human history, destroying the island on which it sits. A series of huge eruptions ripped the volcano’s walls apart on the morning of August 27. The last eruption of Krakatoa was four times more strong than the biggest bomb ever detonated by humans. Its radio waves circled the globe seven times. It triggered a series of tsunamis that ravaged on the area, killing 36,000 people and obliterating entire villages. The cost of the eruption has been projected to be as high as $1.5 billion by others.
10. Mt Tambora, Indonesia, 1815 (VEI 7)
Mt. Tambora is the deadliest volcanic eruption in modern human history, with up to 120,000 people killed. Tambora erupted on April 10, 1815, spewing volcanic ash 40 kilometers into the atmosphere. The eruption was the most strong in 500 years. The intensity of the pyroclastic flow entering the ocean resulted in the formation of a series of massive tsunamis. The planet suffered a significant temperature drop as a result of the massive amount of SO2 released, which resulted in global crop failures. Thousands of Chinese people died of starvation as typhus spread through Europe. The price of grain in Switzerland more than quadrupled in the two years following the blast.
The Amazing Truth About The German U-Boat That Was Sunk By A Toilet
During WWII, a German captain and an engineer flushed the submarine's high-tech toilet incorrectly, causing the vessel to rapidly fill with water. British planes patrolling the sea attacked them as the submarine was brought to the surface. While many members of the crew were killed in the attack, the captain escaped!
The Assassination Of King Alexander
The assassination of King Alexander of Yugoslavia marked a pivotal moment in the country's history. This article delves into the rise and reign of King Alexander, exploring his early life and ascension to the throne. It also examines the political and social climate in interwar Yugoslavia, setting the stage for the tensions and challenges that ultimately culminated in his tragic assassination. By understanding the context in which this event unfolded, we can better grasp the significance and impact it had on the nation and its future.
Remembering the 1945 Empire State Building Disaster: When a Plane Met Skyscraper
An airplane crashed into the Empire State Building in 1945. Among other damage, plane parts severed the cables of an elevator and the woman inside fell over 70 stories. She lived and holds the world record for the longest survived elevator fall.
The Day an Israeli F-15 Landed with One Wing: Zivi Nedivi’s Unbelievable Mid-Air Survival
Discover the astonishing true story of Israeli pilot Zivi Nedivi, who safely landed an F-15 after a mid-air collision tore off its entire right wing. Learn how skill, quick thinking, and the F-15’s unique design turned a disaster into a legendary feat in aviation history
Moondyne Joe: The story of Australia's most notorious prison escapee
A man named Joseph Bolitho Johns (A.K.A Moondyne Joe) broke out of Australian prisons so many times that the police were compelled to build a special cell just for him. He escaped from that as well.
3 men lived on top of a billboard in tents for almost 9 months
From 1982-1983, three men in Allentown PA competed in a radio contest in which they lived on top of a billboard in tents. Whoever stayed up longest would win a house. Due to economic pressure from the recession, none of the contestants wanted to give up, so the contest lasted almost 9 months.
William James Sidis: The smartest person yet forgotten by people
William James Sidis, who was only 11 years old when he enrolled in Hardvard, finished his primary and secondary schooling in less than a year. He knew eight foreign languages by the age of eight and even invented his own language, "vedergood."
The true story Of The Radium Girls that change US labor laws
Hundreds of young women worked in clock factories during World War I, painting watch dials with luminous radium paint. The company lied about the risk of radiation, claiming there was no danger, which resulted in the death of the young women.
Irena Sendler: woman who rescued Jews during holocaust
Irene Sendler was the Zegota resistance group's head of the children's department. She risked her life to smuggle children out of the Warsaw ghetto, place them with Polish families or orphanages, give each child a new identity, and keep records so that they could be returned to their families. In 1943, the Gestapo arrested and sentenced her to death, but she was rescued by Zegota.
How Dmitri Mendeleev Developed the periodic table of the elements
1850 Dmitri Mendeleev walked almost a thousand miles to Moscow so he could apply for the University of Moscow. Although he was not accepted, he walked to St. Petersburg where he was accepted, And with that education, he developed the the periodic table of the elements
Top 10 Greatest and shocking Archaeological Discoveries of All Time
While we're all locked at home, there's no better way to escape to another time and place than to learn about amazing archeological sites and discoveries from around the world. Here are the 10 greatest and shocking archaeological discoveries —and don't be shocked if they inspire future trip plans whenever it's safe to do so again.
Why Comedians Failed to Make Sober Sue Laugh in the Early 1900s
In the bustling vaudeville scene of early 20th century New York, a mysterious performer known as "Sober Sue" captured public imagination not for jokes or songs, but for her unshakable stoicism—she never smiled or laughed. A local theater even offered a tempting reward of $1,000 to anyone who could make her laugh, drawing crowds and famous comedians eager to claim the prize. Despite countless hilarious attempts, Sue remained expressionless, a mystery that baffled performers and audiences until it was revealed that she suffered from facial paralysis, explaining her unchanging demeanor.
D.B. Cooper: Man who hijacked a plane and jumped out with a $200,000
On November 22, 1971, DB Cooper hijacked a Boeing 727, drank a whisky, smoked a fag, and then jumped out of the plane with $200,000. He was never again seen.
Xin Zhui And The Story Of The Stunningly Intact Lady Dai Mummy
A 2,000-year-old mummy of a Chinese woman, Xin Zhui, also known as “Lady Dai,” was preserved in 21 gallons of an “unknown liquid.” With her original hair, organs, eyebrows, and eyelashes intact, the mummy still has blood in her veins. Her skin and ligaments are soft and as flexible as that of a living person.
How 18th Century Women’s Rights Movements Shaped Modern Equality
The 18th century marked a turning point in the quest for women’s rights, as passionate voices challenged centuries of gender inequality and laid the groundwork for modern feminism. From pioneers like Mary Wollstonecraft to revolutionary declarations and early advocacy, this era sparked debates on education, political participation, and social justice that continue to resonate today. Journey through the origins of women’s rights movements and discover how their bold ideas shaped the fight for equality.
The Tragic Story Of Mary Ann Bevan, The ‘Ugliest Woman In The World’
After the death of her husband, Mary Ann Bevan had no income to support herself and her children. She then decided to enter a contest where she won the title of “ugliest woman” and was later hired by a circus. She endured this ridicule from the world to provide for her family.
Remembering the miracles of the 1985 Mexico earthquake (unbelievable stories)
In 1985, after an 8.0 magnitude earthquake hit Mexico City, nearly all newborn babies survived a collapsed hospital. They are known as “Miracle Babies” for surviving 7 days without nourishment, water, warmth or human contact.
Inside The Mysterious Death Of The Famed Gothic Writer Edgar Allan Poe
Hours before his death Edgar Allen Poe was found on the streets of Baltimore. He was incoherent, wearing another man’s clothes, and unable to explain how he got there. The cause of his death is an unsolved mystery.
Knockers-up: waking up the Industrial Britain's Workers in 1900-1941
Before alarm clocks were invented, there was a profession called a knocker-up, which involved going from client to client and tapping on their windows (or banging on their doors) with long sticks until they were awake. It lasted into the 1920s.
Max Headroom Incident: America’s Creepiest TV Hack
In 1987 a man hijacked a television station during an episode of Dr. Who and wore a Max Headroom mask and uttered nonsense, and he still hasn’t been caught
The Horrific story of Ariel Castro and the Cleveland abduction
Cleveland abduction victims Gina DeJesus, Michelle Knight, and Amanda Berry were forced to live in Ariel Castro's house of horrors for 10 years. He raped and beat them until they escaped in 2013.
The Mouth of Truth: Ancient Rome’s Legendary "Lie Detector" That Bit Off Hands
Discover the chilling legend of the Mouth of Truth (Bocca della Verità) in Ancient Rome—a massive carved stone face believed to bite off the hand of anyone who lied while inserting their hand into its gaping mouth. Uncover the truth behind its eerie reputation and how this ancient artifact became a symbol of honesty and fear.
How did Howard Florey discover penicillin
Penicillin was discovered by Alexander Fleming, but he never attempted to turn it into an antibiotic. It wasn't until ten years later that Howard Florey discovered Fleming's obscure paper and understood the mold's potential. Up to 200 million lives may have been saved as a result of Florey's work.
Did Gil Pérez Really Teleport from Manila to Mexico Overnight? The 1593 Mystery
On October 24, 1593, while performing his guard duties at Manila's Governor's Palace in the Philippines, Gil Perez stopped to lean against a wall and sleep for a while. He opened his eyes to find himself in an unusual environment. Gil was in the Plaza Mayor in Mexico City. They imprisoned Perez, but the authorities in Mexico City decided to release him and return him home.
Graves holding hands over wall, A Catholic woman and her Protestant husband grave
A protestant man and a Catholic woman who weren't allowed from being buried together in a graveyard in 19th-century Holland turned their graves into a monument showing them holding hands across the wall separating them.
