Q. Which of the following statements with regard to global volcanic elevations is/are correct?
1.Ojos del Salado, situated in the Andes along the Argentina–Chile border, is verified as the highest active volcano on Earth.
2.The Taal Volcano, located on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines, is globally recognized as the lowest and smallest active volcano.
3.Despite its extremely low elevation, the Taal Volcano remains historically destructive due to its hydrovolcanic (phreatomagmatic) eruption mechanics.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Answer: B
Notes:
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct: Nevado Ojos del Salado stands at 6,893 meters above sea level in the Andes mountains. It features active fumaroles and is universally documented as the highest active volcano globally.
- Statement 2 is incorrect: The Taal Volcano is located on the island of Luzon, approximately 50 kilometers south of Manila, not on the southern island of Mindanao. It is, however, recognized as one of the lowest and smallest active volcanoes (~311 meters).
- Statement 3 is correct: Because Taal sits inside a lake (Lake Taal) and contains a crater lake itself, its eruptions often involve magma interacting directly with water, leading to highly explosive phreatomagmatic (hydrovolcanic) eruptions that generate dangerous base surges and ash falls.
