Thrihnukagigur, Iceland
Near Reykjavik, which translates to “smoky bay”, lies the dormant Thrihnukagigur volcano. Astonishingly, you can go all the way down to 213 metres to visit its magma chamber, which is the only magma chamber you can visit in the world. The plethora of colours inside the volcano will tantalise anyone.
Since its last explosion took place 4500 years ago, it can be considered a relatively safe place, but in this land of fire and ice, it is useful to carry safety gear with you.
Lastly, any Iceland trip is incomplete without meat soup and the northern lights!
Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica
Perched in the National Park of Costa Rica, this volcano is one of the safest volcanoes to visit. It has every geological formation — volcanoes, hot springs, waterfalls, rainforests — you name it! Since the lava from its last eruption in 2010 cooled down, Mother Nature has given lush greens to form.
The view of the volcano against the blue sky and white clouds looks as perfect as a postcard. Along your trail to the volcano, you will find mesmerising biodiversity with mysteries of nature unveiled upon every step in the woods.
If you have a sweet tooth, don’t miss out on the Arenal Chocolate tour!
Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaii
Situated at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the active shield volcano Kīlauea. Whether you are walking along the crater rim trails or driving the Chain of Craters road, the views of the volcano will never fail to fascinate you.
One can travel through the Kilauea Caverns of Fire, where lava used to flow through once. This route covers an entire view of the rock formations, as if hidden inside a cave amidst the rainforest. Spend the night at the Volcano House in the park, as you certainly do not want to miss the charming night views of the red lava while gazing at the numerous stars shining in the endless sky.
Pecaya Volcano, Guatemala
Trust me, if you are fortunate, you will have an experience of everything, from lava flows and pyroclastic flows to an avalanche of debris. It is full of energy with steam popping out of steam pockets. You can even order a pizza baked straight over the red-hot rocks!
Whether it’s sunrise over the fluffy peach clouds or overnight camping on the rocks, you will find yourself truly connected to nature.
Mayon Volcano, Philippines
With lotus setting the stage, sunshine setting the spotlight, and clouds opening up to unveil, the Mayon volcano is a sight to see. This active stratovolcano is particularly famous for being one of the only perfectly symmetrical conical volcanoes in the world. No wonder it has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The Mayon Skyline View Desk is the perfect location to have a panoramic view of the volcano. Wear your helmet, press the gear on the ATV (All-terrain vehicle), and get ready to ride on the rocky black lava trails.
Volcanoes are an amazing geological formation to explore, from the rock types to lava flows and land formations. Whether it is active or dormant, it is never completely certain when a volcano shall erupt, even though geologists continue to monitor undergoing seismic activity. With proper precautions and safety measures, set sail to discover these fantastic volcanoes worldwide!
By Labiba Tasnim
Photo Collected