The Top 10 Volcanic Eruptions

In honor of Mt. Redoubt finally erupting, PopSci.com counts down some of the biggest blasts in history

By Stuart Fox

Posted on Mar 30, 2009 8:38 PM EDT

Krakatoa
One of the most famous eruptions of all time, the August, 1883 Krakatoa explosion altered sunsets around the world, completely demolishing the Indonesian island. The eruption released nine cubic kilometers of magma. That's enough lava to fill the University of Michigan stadium almost 40,000 times. In the 126 years since, subsequent eruptions have rebuilt the volcano, forming a new island. flydime, via Flickr.com

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Volcanic eruptions have altered global climate, and the global landscape, throughout history. In this new gallery, PopSci.com gives these ecological blockbusters their due.

Santa Maria
Changbaishan
Crater Lake
Kikai
Santorini
Tambora
Lake Taupo
Lake Toba
Io