The Tallest Volcanoes in the World

Volcanic activity is one of the causes of the formation of mountains. Many of the world’s highest mountains were formed through volcanic activity and are known as volcanic mountains. All of the highest volcanoes in the world are situated in South America and are constituents of the Andean volcanic belt. Ojos del Salado is the world's tallest volcano.

The Tallest Volcanoes in the World

Volcanoes Surpassing 22,000 Feet

Only four of the highest volcanoes in the world are over 22,000 feet in elevation. These are Ojos del Salado, Monte Pissis, Nevado Tres Cruces and Llullaillaco, all of which are situated in South America.

Ojos del Salado is the highest volcano in the world with the mountain having an elevation of 22,615 feet. Ojos del Salado is an active volcano with the most recent major eruption happening 1,300 years ago. The volcano is situated on the Argentina-Chile border near the Atacama Desert.

Monte Pissis an extinct volcano which rises 22,287 feet above sea level making it the second highest volcano in the world. Monte Pissis is situated in Argentina and is among the mountains which make up the Andes range.

Nevado Tres Cruces is an extinct volcano with an elevation of 22,139 feet and is the third tallest volcano in the world. Nevado Tres Cruces is situated on the Chile-Argentina border and is also a member of the Andes range.

Llullaillaco is the fourth highest mountain in the world and has an elevation of 22,110 feet. Llullaillaco is classified as a dormant volcano and is the highest of its kind in the world. However, the mountain experienced volcanic activity on numerous occasions in the late 19th century.

Volcanoes Between 22,000 feet and 21,000 Feet

There are eight volcanoes which fall under the 22,000-21,000 foot range, again all situated in South America. These are Cerro Tipas, Nevado Tres Cruces Central, Nevado Sajama, Coropuna, Incahuasi, Ata, and Tupungato. The highest under this classification is Cerro Tipas which rises 21,850 feet above sea level making it the fifth highest volcano in the world.

Cerro Tipas, also known as Cerro Walther Penck is a member of the Andes ranges and is situated in Argentina.

Nevado Sajama is an extinct volcano situated in Bolivia. The mountain has an elevation of 21,463 feet and is the highest mountain in Bolivia and the highest volcano outside the Argentina-Chile region.

Coropuna is the tallest mountain in Peru with the mountain rising 21,079 feet above sea level. Coropuna is classified as a dormant volcano with its most recent eruption occurring over 1,000 years ago. Coropuna’s peak is covered by an immense ice cap which has an estimated volume of over 1.11 cubic kilometers, the second largest in the tropics.

Volcanoes Between 21,000 feet and 20,000 Feet

There are eight volcanoes in the world with elevations falling between 21,000-20,000 foot range, and all are found in South America. These mountains are Parinacota, Ampato, Chimborazo, Pular, Cerro Solo, Aucanquilcha, San Pedro and the Sierra Nevada.

Chimborazo is a stratovolcano of the Andes ranges situated in Ecuador which has an elevation of 20,548 feet and hence is the highest mountain in Ecuador. Chimborazo has the distinction of being the furthest point from the center of the earth.

Andean Volcanic Belt

All the volcanic mountains with elevations surpassing 20,000 feet are situated in the Andean volcanic belt. The Andean volcanic belt is a region which stretches from the western edge of South America from Colombia to Argentina.