Could you marry someone your parents disapproved of?

Quite an issue eh? I'd like to hear your say about this. Feel free to comment😀

Scientific Paper: The Electromagnetic Waves

THE EM WAVES

 In our life, waves are everywhere. Although we might not know it, we are constantly surrounded by thousands of waves every day. It can be a wave that can be seen just like waving our hands or the waves from the ocean but for now let us tackle about the Electromagnetic wave or the EM wave. Electricity can be static, like the energy that can make our hair stand on its end. Magnetism can also be static like a refrigerator magnet. But when they change or move together, they make waves - electromagnetic waves. So, what is Electromagnetic wave by the way? Electromagnetic waves (EM) are a transverse waves. In the picture above, it shows the magnetic and electric components of an electromagnetic wave. These electromagnetic waves can travel in a vacuum and in a material medium. In a vacuum or air, all electromagnetic waves travel at a common speed equal to3 x 108 m/s and usually represented by a small letter c. All EM waves follow the basic equation which is the v = f • λ. In classical electromagnetic wave theory, light is considered to be a wave composed of oscillating electric and magnetic fields. These fields are perpendicular to the direction in which the wave moves. Therefore, electromagnetic waves are transverse waves. The electric and magnetic fields are also at right angles to each other. Electromagnetic waves are distinguished by their different frequencies and wavelengths. In visible light, these differences in frequency and wavelengths account for different colors. The difference in frequencies and wavelengths also distinguishes visible light from invisible electromagnetic radiation, such as X-rays. A changing magnetic field will induce a changing electric field and vice-versa thus the two are linked, these changing fields form electromagnetic waves. James Clerk Maxwell, a Scottish physicist predicted the existence of electromagnetic waves in 1862 but it was only with the help and effort of Heinrich Hertz, a German physicist that those waves were observed and known to be exist.

Electromagnetic waves are produce by accelerating charges. An accelerating charged particle produces an electromagnetic (EM) wave.  Electromagnetic waves are electric and magnetic fields traveling through empty space with the speed of light c.  A charged particle oscillating about an equilibrium position is an accelerating charged particle.  If its frequency of oscillation is f, then it produces an electromagnetic wave with frequency f.  The wavelength λ of this wave is given by λ = c/f.  Electromagnetic waves transport energy through space. This energy can be delivered to charged particles a large distance away from the source. Accelerating charges produce changing electric and magnetic fields.  Changing electric fields produce magnetic fields and changing magnetic fields produce electric fields.  This interplay between induced electric and magnetic fields leads to propagating electromagnetic waves.  Electromagnetic waves can propagate through free space. Electromagnetic waves are produced whenever charged particles are accelerated, and these waves can subsequently interact with any charged particles. EM waves carry energy, momentum and angular momentum away from their source particle and can impart those quantities to matter with which they interact. Quanta of EM waves are called photons, which are massless, but they are still affected by gravity. Electromagnetic radiation is associated with those EM waves that are free to propagate themselves ("radiate") without the continuing influence of the moving charges that produced them, because they have achieved sufficient distance from those charges. Thus, EMR is sometimes referred to as the far field. In this jargon, the near field refers to EM fields near the charges and current that directly produced them, as (for example) with simple magnets, electromagnetic induction and static electricity phenomena.

Electromagnetic Waves have different wavelengths. When we listen to the radio, watch TV, or cook dinner in a microwave oven, we are using electromagnetic waves. Waves in the electromagnetic spectrum vary in size from very long radio waves the size of buildings, to very short gamma-rays smaller than the size of the nucleus of an atom. Did you know that electromagnetic waves can not only be described by their wavelength, but also by their energy and frequency? All three of these things are related to each other mathematically. Based on a Physics textbook, Science book and also the internet, the name of the different types of waves are: x-ray, ultraviolet, radiation, gamma rays, visible light waves, microwaves, radio waves, and infrared waves.

 Radio waves -Radio waves are the longest-frequency waves in the EM spectrum. Radar is an acronym for radio detection and ranging. It makes use of radio waves for detection of objects, weather forecasting, military surveillance, and air traffic control as well as monitoring speed in highway patrol. Radio waves can be used to carry other signals to receivers that subsequently translate these signals into usable information. Many objects, both natural and man-made, emit radio waves. Anything that emits heat emits radiation across the entire spectrum, but in different amounts. Stars, planets and other cosmic bodies emit radio waves. Radio and television stations and cellphone companies all produce radio waves that carry signals to be received by the antennae in your television, radio or cellphone.

Microwaves -Microwaves are the second-longest frequency waves in the EM spectrum. It is considered as high frequency radio waves and are mainly used for communication. Whereas radio waves can be up to a mile in length, microwaves measure from a few centimeters up to a foot. Due to their higher frequency, microwaves can carry information through obstacles that interfere with radio waves such as clouds, smoke and rain. Microwaves are used for radar, landline phone calls and the transmission of computer data. Microwave remnants of the "Big Bang" radiate from all directions throughout the universe.

 Infrared waves -Between microwaves and visible light are infrared waves. Infrared literally means “below red” .Infrared waves are sometimes classified as "near" infrared and "far" infrared. Near infrared waves are the waves that are closer to visible light in wavelength. These are the infrared waves that are used in your TV remote to change channels. Far infrared waves are further away from visible light in wavelength. Far infrared waves are thermal and give off heat. Anything that gives off heat radiates infrared waves. This includes the human body.

Visible Light -Visible light waves are radiation that you can see with your naked eye. This part of the EM spectrum is aptly called visible light or, simply, light. The different frequencies of visible light are experienced by people as the colors of the rainbow. The frequencies move from the lower wavelengths, detected as reds, up to the higher visible wavelengths, detected as violet hues. The most noticeable natural source of visible light is, of course, the sun. Objects are perceived as different colors based on which wavelengths of light an object absorbs and which it reflects. Visible light has many applications in our day-to-day life because it helps us see objects. As frequency increases into the visible range, photons of EMR have enough energy to change the bond structure of some individual molecules. It is not a coincidence that this happens in the "visible range," as the mechanism of vision involves the change in bonding of a single molecule (retinal) which absorbs light in the rhodopsin in the retina of the human eye. Photosynthesis becomes possible in this range as well, for similar reasons, as a single molecule of chlorophyll is excited by a single photon. Animals that detect infrared make use of small packets of water that change temperature, in an essentially thermal process that involves many photons (see infrared sensing in snakes). For this reason, infrared, microwaves and radio waves are thought to damage molecules and biological tissue only by bulk heating, not excitation from single photons of the radiation. Visible light is able to affect a few molecules with single photons, but usually not in a permanent or damaging way, in the absence of power high enough to increase temperature to damaging levels. However, in plant tissues that conduct photosynthesis, carotenoids act to quench electronically excited chlorophyll produced by visible light in a process called non-photochemical quenching, in order to prevent reactions that would otherwise interfere with photosynthesis at high light levels. Limited evidence indicate that some reactive oxygen species are created by visible light in skin, and that these may have some role in photo aging, in the same manner as ultraviolet A.

Ultraviolet radiation -is more popularly known as UV, which was discovered by the German physicist Johann Wilhelm Ritter. Ultraviolet waves have the next shortest wavelength after visible light. It is ultraviolet rays from the Sun that cause sunburns. We are protected from the Sun's ultraviolet rays by the ozone layer. Some insects, such as bumblebees, can see ultraviolet light. Ultraviolet light is used by powerful telescopes like the Hubble Space Telescope to see far away stars. There are three kinds of UV: UVA, UVB and the UVC. UV lights, more popularly known as black light, are used to detect forged bank notes. Black light makes visible the security marker ink that we use for our signatures in our bankbook. UVA is used to treat skin conditions like psoriasis and vitiligo that cause depigmentation of parts of the skin. UV stimulates the production of vitamin D in our body. As frequency increases into the ultraviolet, photons now carry enough energy (about three electron volts or more) to excite certain doubly bonded molecules into permanent chemical rearrangement. In DNA, this causes lasting damage. DNA is also indirectly damaged by reactive oxygen species produced by ultraviolet A (UVA), which has energy too low to damage DNA directly. This is why ultraviolet at all wavelengths can damage DNA, and is capable of causing cancer, and (for UVB) skin burns (sunburn) that are far worse than would be produced by simple heating (temperature increase) effects. This property of causing molecular damage that is out of proportion to heating effects, is characteristic of all EMR with frequencies at the visible light range and above. These properties of high-frequency EMR are due to quantum effects that permanently damage materials and tissues at the molecular level.[citation needed]

At the higher end of the ultraviolet range, the energy of photons becomes large enough to impart enough energy to electrons to cause them to be liberated from the atom, in a process called photoionisation. The energy required for this is always larger than about 10 electron volts (eV) corresponding with wavelengths smaller than 124 nm (some sources suggest a more realistic cutoff of 33 eV, which is the energy required to ionize water). This high end of the ultraviolet spectrum with energies in the approximate ionization range is sometimes called "extreme UV." Ionizing UV is strongly filtered by the Earth's atmosphere).

X-rays – x-rays have even shorter wavelengths than ultraviolet rays. At this point in the electromagnetic spectrum, scientists begin to think of these rays more as particles than waves. X-rays are sometimes called Roentgen rays, after their discoverer, the German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen. X-rays are emitted by sources producing very high temperatures like the sun's corona, which is much hotter than the surface of the sun. Natural sources of x-rays include enormously energetic cosmic phenomena such as pulsars, supernovae and black holes. X-rays are commonly used in imaging technology to view bone structures within the body. They can penetrate soft tissue like skin and muscle and are used to take X-ray pictures of bones in medicine.

Gamma rays - emitted by only the most energetic cosmic objects such pulsars, neutron stars, supernova and black holes. As the wavelengths of electromagnetic waves get shorter, their energy increases. Gamma rays are the shortest waves in the spectrum and, as a result, have the most energy. Terrestrial sources include lightning, nuclear explosions and radioactive decay. Gamma wave wavelengths are measured on the subatomic level and can actually pass through the empty space within an atom. Gamma rays can destroy living cells; fortunately, the Earth's atmosphere absorbs any gamma rays that reach the planet. Gamma rays are sometimes used in treating cancer and in taking detailed images for diagnostic medicine. Gamma rays are produced in high energy nuclear explosions and supernovas. Paul Villard, a French chemist and physicist, is recognized as having discovered gamma rays in 1900.Gamma rays are used in industries to detect cracks in metals and to sterilize equipment and commercial products.

So we just knew about the types of EM waves and its uses. Now moving forward lets go to the harmful effects of Electromagnetic Radiation. We use electromagnetic waves a lot. Waves are all throughout in our places, even in school, home, office and everywhere. In our generation we used too much of technologies and gadgets and so that’s why electromagnetic radiation invades in our life. Bioelectromagnetics is the study of the interactions and effects of EM radiation on living organisms. The effects of electromagnetic radiation upon living cells, including those in humans, depends upon the radiation's power and frequency. For low-frequency radiation (radio waves to visible light) the best-understood effects are those due to radiation power alone, acting through heating when radiation is absorbed. For these thermal effects, frequency is important only as it affects penetration into the organism (for example, microwaves penetrate better than infrared). Initially, it was believed that low frequency fields that were too weak to cause significant heating could not possibly have any biological effect. Despite this opinion among researchers, evidence has accumulated that supports the existence of complex biological effects of weaker non-thermal electromagnetic fields, (including weak ELF magnetic fields, although the latter does not strictly qualify as EM radiation), and modulated RF and microwave fields. Fundamental mechanisms of the interaction between biological material and electromagnetic fields at non-thermal levels are not fully understood. The World Health Organization has classified radio frequency electromagnetic radiation as Group 2B - possibly carcinogenic. This group contains possible carcinogens that have weaker evidence, at the same level as coffee and automobile exhaust. For example, epidemiological studies looking for a relationship between cell phone use and brain cancer development, have been largely inconclusive, save to demonstrate that the effect, if it exists, cannot be a large one. At higher frequencies (visible and beyond), the effects of individual photons begin to become important, as these now have enough energy individually to directly or indirectly damage biological molecules. All UV frequencies have been classed as Group 1 carcinogens by the World Health Organization. Ultraviolet radiation from sun exposure is the primary cause of skin cancer. Thus, at UV frequencies and higher (and probably somewhat also in the visible range), electromagnetic radiation does more damage to biological systems than simple heating predicts. This is most obvious in the "far" (or "extreme") ultraviolet. UV, with X-ray and gamma radiation, is referred to as ionizing radiation due to the ability of photons of this radiation to produce ions and free radicals in materials (including living tissue). Since such radiation can severely damage life at energy levels that produce little heating, it is considered far more dangerous (in terms of damage-produced per unit of energy, or power) than the rest of the electromagnetic spectrum.

According to Lee Cowden, MD who wrote a blog about the harmful effects of Electromagnetic radiation he said that the harmful effects from X-rays and ultraviolet light (forms of ionizing EMR that induce cancer) were discovered almost a century ago, but now there are studies that show non-ionizing EMR can produce cancer and other harmful effects. Recently, the World Health Organization has classified Radio-Frequency (RF) emissions as a group 2 B carcinogen in the same class as the banned DDT pesticide and the heavy metal lead. This happened, in part, because a recent study has shown that the RF from cellphone use is associated with increased risk of developing malignant brain tumors. And now electric Smart Meters, which produce an RF signal almost identical to cellphones, are being installed by power companies on an ever-increasing number of residences and businesses across the USA. Power companies usually program these Smart Meters to gather data about how much electricity you are using in your house or business and then transmit that information to the power company through the air every one minute, 24 hours per day. Symptoms that are developing in many people exposed to the Smart Meters include fatigue, forgetfulness, anxiety, insomnia, depression, headaches, cardiac arrhythmias, various infectious illnesses as well as many other symptoms. Studies have correlated RF exposure with neurological diseases, reproductive disorders, immune dysfunction, cancer and electromagnetic hypersensitivity. There is even some evidence that RF increases the rate of growth of fungi and other disease-causing microbes in the human body, as well as the biotoxins they produce.

The technologies we use today, from our everyday appliances, cell phones, even our cars, emit electromagnetic radiation & EM radiation that can penetrate and affect us, seriously compromising our health and disturbing our environments. The dangers of electromagnetic radiation are becoming very evident and associated with many diseases and health problems. Some say it is scientifically impossible for electromagnetic radiation (EMR) to affect us. Some studies prove the cell damage EMF causes. For years, scientists have conducted research linking EM radiation to serious diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and others. After an extensive review of 2,000+ such studies, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences concluded EMFs “should be regarded as possible carcinogens.” An international group of leading researchers recently came out stating, “the existing standards for public safety are completely inadequate to protect health.” Forward-thinking nations around the world are starting to set stricter EMF safety limits. Even the EPA now cautions you to “limit your exposure.”  Yes, EM radiation is really harmful for us because you may not realize it, but your own body uses electromagnetic fields to function properly. In fact, research has demonstrated that every cell in your body may have its own EMF. In his book “The Body Electric,” researcher and author Robert Becker demonstrates that our cells actually communicate with each other via bioelectrical signals and electromagnetic fields. These natural EMFs help regulate important biochemical processes of all kinds. Maintaining balance in those cellular electromagnetic fields is crucial to your physical health. Unfortunately, your body can also be influenced by the powerful artificial EM Radiation around you. That’s where the trouble starts.

 When it comes to magnetic radiation (which is part of any EMF—see EMF explained for more on that), the body is as easily penetrated as air. This means if you are near a powerful EMF, electromagnetic radiation isn’t just around you, it’s inside you. According to Dr. Becker, your body’s electrical signals are well within the range of those that can be stimulated by ambient radio waves, microwaves and other forms of electromagnetic radiation. That harmful, unnatural type of stimulation can seriously impact your body. Thousands of studies worldwide have shown that overexposure to EMFs can lead to weakened immunities, lowered resistance to bacterial and viral infections and devastating illnesses like cancer. The following list represents some of the diseases and health problems that are either a direct result of electromagnetic radiation poisoning or are closely associated with it, cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, daily headaches, brain cancer, Lyme disease, asthma, heart problems, chest pain, insomnia, allergies. Upon hearing those illness and diseases I think that we should take an action for us to protect our own selves specially those teenagers because as far as many knows teenagers are the ones who always make use of the cell phones and other gadgets that could trigger the said illness in our body.

So, to prevent and to keep us away from those health problems here are some ways and advices on how to avoid the harmful effects of EM radiation. Avoid using your cell phone for calls when possible. Other times, keep calls short and use a headset. Avoid calls when the network signal is weak, as this is when your phone’s radiation is the strongest. If possible, don’t wear your phone close to your body or regularly switch where you keep it. Don’t keep your phone close by when you sleep or set it to airplane mode. Not only will this decrease the radiation emitted by your cell phone and potentially improve your sleep — if only for the lack of notifications — it will also save battery. Finally, look for a cell phone with a low SAR rating when purchasing your next one. Make sure your DECT cordless phone reduces its signal power when the handheld is in idle mode or rests in the base station. Use the phone close to its base station. When it’s time comes, replace it with a corded phone or one that has lower radiation levels. The strength of these wireless signals drops quickly over relatively short distances and thus the energy that reaches your body is extremely weak. Moreover, Wi-Fi energy is considered non-thermal, meaning it does not cause heating of tissue. So technically, you don’t have to worry. That said, children may be more vulnerable. If you are concerned, consider connecting to the Internet using an Ethernet cable, which would allow you to turn your wireless router off while it’s not needed by mobile devices. If your router must be always-on, place it at the maximum distance from your desk or bed that still allows you to get a reasonably strong signal. Again, based on what we know today, Wi-Fi signals are harmless and it’s close to impossible to overdose on them. The intimate use of technology is a very new development and biological systems are rather rigid. Consequently, we won’t see effects clearly for a long time, a phenomenon we know very well from climate change. By the time we can no longer deny the effects, the damage (if any!) is irreversible, at least for our children. Our elders know that it’s better to be safe than sorry; it’s the precautionary principle we should all follow. Embrace technology, except don’t do it literally. Use it in reasonable doses, with caution, teach your children responsible use of technology, and everyone will be fine. Cell phones and other electronics do not cause health issues, unless overdosed. What’s far more damaging to your health is anxiety, so try to relax.

“There is a strong evidence that EMFs and radio/microwave frequencies are associated with accelerated aging (enhanced cell death and cancer) and moods, depression, suicide, anger, rage and violence, primarily through alteration of cellular calcium ions and the melatonin/serotonin balance.” ~Dr. Neil Cherry of Lincoln University, New Zealand

And therefore, we must conclude that in our daily life and daily emotions, whatever we are doing, wherever we are or no matter what happens electromagnetic waves will always be beside us. Because even in the smallest things there is a wave how much more in the big things especially when in our near future our technologies will be more enhance and upgrade and so with the waves. It will always follows us everywhere like a shadow so it is just us who can make a move to keep our self away from the negative and harmful effects of the electromagnetic waves. Even if we can’t see them but they can see us, whatever our moves and we can’t deny or even hide from it.

SOURCES OR REFERENCES:

Ø  http://www.safespaceprotection.com/harmful-effects-electromagnetic-fields.aspx

Ø  http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/is-electromagnetic-radiation-dangerous-how-to-protect-yourself/

Ø  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_radiation

Ø  http://www.knowthecause.com/index.php/health-blog/newsletter/september-1st-2012/645-harmful-effects-of-electromagnetic-radiationhttp://www.best-emf-health.com/dangers-of-electromagnetic-radiation.html

Ø  http://science.hq.nasa.gov/kids/imagers/ems/waves3.html

Ø  http://www.ducksters.com/science/physics/types_of_electromagnetic_waves.php

Ø  http://www.ehow.com/info_8434704_7-types-electromagnetic-waves.html

Ø  http://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/48603.html

Ø  http://www.antiessays.com/free-essays/Electromagnetic-Waves-137480.html

Ø  http://www.studymode.com/essays/Electromagnetic-Waves-382400.html

Ø  http://www.physicsclassroom.com/mmedia/waves/em.cfm

Ø  http://science.hq.nasa.gov/kids/imagers/ems/waves2.html

Ø  http://missionscience.nasa.gov/ems/02_anatomy.html

Ø  https://www.boundless.com/physics/textbooks/boundless-physics-textbook/electromagnetic-waves-23/electromagnetic-waves-and-their-properties-166/the-production-of-electromagnetic-waves-600-11281/

Ø  http://labman.phys.utk.edu/phys222core/modules/m6/production_of_em_waves.htm

Ø  https://www.defendershield.com/harmful-effects-of-electromagnetic-radiation/

Ø  Exploring Life through Science series (the new grade 10)

ProProfs Quiz- Chapter 1, 2 & 3: Science Quiz » ProProfs Exam Software

Pacific Ring of Fire (essay)

The Pacific Ring of Fire

What is Pacific Ring of Fire? Pacific Ring of Fire is the boundary in the Pacific Plate where almost half of the world’s active volcanoes can be found, it is said that there are more than 450 active or dormant volcanoes surrounding the said plate. The boundary runs up along the western coast of South and North America, crosses over the Aleutian Islands in Alaska, runs down the eastern coast of Asia past New Zealand and into the northern coast of Antarctica. The Ring of Fire is one of the most geologically active areas on Earth, and is a site for frequent earthquakes, faults, tsunamis and powerful volcanic eruptions. It is called a Ring of fire because as we all know, Pacific Ring of Fire is a chain of dormant volcanoes that anytime and any day it will erupt or explode. And also in which in this portion the subduction occurs. There are volcanoes existing in the Pacific Ring of fire due to the subduction, subduction is when a less dense plate slips beneath the more denser plates in which the less dense plate is the Oceanic Plate and the more denser plate is the Continental plate. As the subduction occurs there will be a scrapes because of the colliding of the both plates.. The rocks will be melt through the friction of the subduction, when the oceanic crust subducts the friction initiated releases a tremendous amount of energy melting the rocks to form magma. There is evidence to the existence of the subduction which is explained by the scientist, it is called a C12 compound. Scientist explained that the subduction really exist because the C12 compound can only be found in the Oceanic Plates. The cause of the subduction is the convection currents, it is like a fountain form of a hot and cold pressure combined it is because of the hotness in the core rises and is mixed with the not so hot air in the asthenosphere and where the hotness is nowhere to escape that’s why it cycle again and again and that’s why the subduction happens. There are many volcanoes surrounding around the Pacific Ring of Fire so we can say that it is related to how the volcanoes formed. How does volcanoes formed? There are two theories that can explain how the volcanoes were formed. First is the internal heat of our Earth has to escape somewhere just like for example the vents in our layer and when that heat escape that’s why the volcano were slowly formed, in this theory the convection currents is also involved , this theory is called the Plate Tectonics Plate. The second theory is under our oceanic plate there are molten rocks, those molten rocks in the oceanic plates will rise up and because those molten rocks are located at the ocean part in many years later those molten rocks will be hard and will form into a volcano, this called a destructive plate boundary.

TOP 10 MOST DANGEROUS VOLCANOES

Awesome, Powerful, Beautiful and Extremely Dangerous: lava lovers, feast your eyes and your fears on this selection of the world's most dangerous volcanoes.

1. Yellowstone National Park, USA

• The number one volcano on our list of active volcanoes is the Yellowstone Caldera. The national park’s active volcanic caldera attracts something on the order of three million visitors per year. Its hot springs and geysers are beautiful to behold, but they are also potentially deadly. Yellowstone is a supervolcano. In fact, the last known major eruption of a supervolcano happened in Yellowstone 640,000 years ago. If Yellowstone were to blow, it is estimated that 87,000 people would be killed instantly. The entire western USA would be devastated, and the ash would also impact ecology and human health throughout the country and the world. The explosion would be a worldwide catastrophe of unparalleled proportions, and there is no way to predict how far its ramifications would extend.This volcano is under the Pacific Ring of Fire

2. Mt. Vesuvius, Italy

• One of the most famous volcanoes on the planet is Mt. Vesuvius. Anyone who has attended a high-school history class knows about the famous, catastrophic eruption in 79 AD which destroyed the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The volcanic ash preserved the two sites, making them some of the best known archaeological digs on earth. Vesuvius has an eruption cycle of roughly every 20 years. The last eruption was in 1944, so the mountain is overdue for its next eruption. Three million people are located not only within the blast radius, but close to the crater. This is another volcano which poses a serious risk to an incredible number of people.

3. Popocatepetl, Mexico

• This volcano is just 35 miles away from Mexico City and erupted most recently in 2000. Forty-one thousand people would have been in danger of losing their lives if they had not been evacuated in time. Nine million people live within the blast radius. If there is ever a major eruption, it will be a mass catastrophe. This certainly makes Popocatepetl one of the most dangerous volcanoes on the planet as well as one of the most active.This volcano is under the Pacific Ring of Fire

4. Sakurajima, Japan

• On the list of active volcanoes, Sakurajima is known as the “Vesuvius of the East,” a reference to its high level of activity. It used to be separate from the mainland of Japan, but the lava flows from a 1914 eruption actually created a bridge of land connecting it to the rest of Japan. Sakurajima produces thousands of small eruptions each year. If a major eruption occurs, 700,000 residents in the city of Kagoshima will be in immediate danger.This volcano is under the Pacific Ring of Fire

5.  Galeras, Columbia

• This volcano near the border of Ecuador erupts frequently and has been active an impressively long time. Scientists estimate the volcano has been erupting for one million years or more. The first recorded eruption was in 1580. Between 1978 and 1988, Galeras went temporarily dormant. Since becoming active again, it has behaved ominously, erupting almost every year since the turn of the millennium. The city of Pasto on its eastern slope is home to 450,000 residents.This volcano is under the Pacific Ring of Fire

6. Mt. Merapi, Indonesia

• The name of this mountain means “Mountain of Fire.” It is Indonesia’s most active volcano, and it has produced a record amount of lava flow. Measured in terms of flow alone, it is the most active volcano in the world. It has been active at least 10,000 years. A 2010 eruption killed 353 people and left 320,000 more without homes.This volcano is under the Pacific Ring of Fire

7. Mt. Nyiragongo, Democratic Republic of Congo

• This dramatic volcano features impressive lakes of lava near its crater. These lakes come and go—sometimes quite destructively. In 1977, a particularly large lake spilled when the lake wall fractured. Lava flows traveling at 60 mph destroyed nearby villages, killing and injuring thousands. 147 people died in an eruption as recent as 2002, and another 120,000 lost their homes.This volcano is under the Pacific Ring of Fire

8. Ulawun, Papua New Guinea

• This is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. There have been 22 major eruptions recorded since the 1700s, and nearby residents report that they regularly observe minor eruptions on an ongoing basis. The structural integrity of Ulawun is questionable; if a major collapse occurs, the resulting eruption could herald destruction across hundreds of square kilometers.This volcano is under the Pacific Ring of Fire

9. Taal Volcano, Philippines

• This volcano is located on the island of Luzon in the center of Lake Taal. Its proximity to Manila makes it an ongoing threat to over 1.6 million inhabitants. Since 1572, the volcano has erupted 33 times. It is recommended that visitors view Taal from a distance, though many tourists visit the volcanic island each year.This volcano is under the Pacific Ring of Fire

10. Mauna Loa, Hawaii

• This volcano in Hawaii has been active for 700,000 years or more. Thankfully many of the eruptions are slow, but occasionally the lava flows from the volcano are fast and pose a risk to nearby towns and villages. There is also a continuing potential for dangerous earthquakes.This volcano is under the Pacific Ring of Fire

THE PACIFIC RING OF FIRE (full documentary)