What Are the Largest Land and Water Features Like Islands and Volcanoes?
Earth is home to some incredible land and water features, ranging from the largest islands to the most active volcanoes. These features have significant impact on local ecosystems, human civilization, and global geography. In this section, we will explore some of the largest and most fascinating natural features found on both land and water.
Largest Islands
Islands are pieces of land that are completely surrounded by water. Some islands are so large that they are considered continents, while others are small but equally important for biodiversity. Let's explore some of the largest islands on Earth.
1. Greenland
Greenland is the largest island in the world that is not considered a continent. It is located in the Arctic and is an autonomous territory within Denmark.
- Size: 2,166,086 square kilometers (836,331 square miles).
- Fun Fact: Greenland is mostly covered by ice, with approximately 80% of its surface covered by an ice sheet, making it one of the coldest places on Earth.
2. New Guinea
New Guinea is the second-largest island in the world, located in Oceania, and shared by two countries: Papua New Guinea to the east and Indonesia to the west.
- Size: 785,753 square kilometers (303,381 square miles).
- Fun Fact: New Guinea is one of the most biodiverse islands on Earth, home to unique species like the tree kangaroo and the cassowary bird.
3. Borneo
Borneo, located in Southeast Asia, is the third-largest island in the world. It is divided among three countries: Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia.
- Size: 743,330 square kilometers (287,000 square miles).
- Fun Fact: Borneo is known for its rainforests, which are home to endangered species like the orangutan and the Bornean pygmy elephant.
4. Madagascar
Madagascar is the fourth-largest island in the world and is located off the southeastern coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean.
- Size: 587,041 square kilometers (226,658 square miles).
- Fun Fact: Madagascar is famous for its unique biodiversity. More than 90% of its wildlife is found nowhere else on Earth, including lemurs and the fossa.
5. Baffin Island
Baffin Island is located in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and is the largest island in Canada.
- Size: 507,451 square kilometers (195,928 square miles).
- Fun Fact: Baffin Island is known for its rugged, mountainous terrain and harsh, cold climate, making it an important area for Arctic wildlife.
Largest Volcanoes
Volcanoes are geological formations where molten rock, ash, and gases are expelled from beneath the Earth’s crust. Some volcanoes are vast, covering large areas, while others are still active and erupt periodically. Here are some of the largest and most famous volcanoes around the world.
1. Mauna Loa (Hawaii, United States)
Mauna Loa is the largest volcano on Earth by volume and area covered. It is located on the Big Island of Hawaii.
- Size: 2,035 square miles (5,271 square kilometers), with an elevation of 4,169 meters (13,681 feet).
- Fun Fact: Mauna Loa is a shield volcano, meaning it has broad, gently sloping sides formed by the eruption of low-viscosity lava.
- Fun Fact: It is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, with its last eruption occurring in 1984.
2. Mount Everest (Nepal/China)
While **Mount Everest** is primarily known as the world’s tallest mountain, it is also an active volcano located at the border between Nepal and China (Tibet).
- Height: 8,848 meters (29,029 feet) above sea level, making it the highest point on Earth.
- Fun Fact: Although Everest is technically a mountain, it is also considered an active volcano as the region experiences volcanic activity and earthquakes.
3. Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania)
Mount Kilimanjaro, located in Tanzania, is the highest peak in Africa. While it's technically a dormant volcano, it’s one of the most famous volcanoes globally.
- Height: 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level.
- Fun Fact: Kilimanjaro consists of three volcanic cones: **Kibo**, **Mawenzi**, and **Shira**. It’s a popular destination for trekkers from all over the world.
4. Mount St. Helens (United States)
Mount St. Helens is a famous active stratovolcano located in Washington state, USA. It erupted in 1980, causing significant geological changes.
- Height: 2,550 meters (8,363 feet), though it was once taller before the eruption.
- Fun Fact: The eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980 was one of the most economically destructive volcanic events in U.S. history, but it also provided a unique opportunity for scientists to study volcanic activity.
5. Mount Fuji (Japan)
Mount Fuji is Japan’s tallest and most iconic volcano, located on Honshu Island. It is a stratovolcano and an important cultural symbol in Japan.
- Height: 3,776 meters (12,389 feet) above sea level.
- Fun Fact: Mount Fuji is an active volcano, but it last erupted in 1707 during the Edo period. It is still considered a sacred mountain and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Largest Lakes
Lakes are large bodies of water surrounded by land. Some of the world’s largest lakes are vital for ecosystems, human habitation, and commerce.
1. Caspian Sea (Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Azerbaijan)
Although it is called a "sea," the Caspian Sea is actually the largest inland body of water on Earth.
- Size: 371,000 square kilometers (143,000 square miles).
- Fun Fact: The Caspian Sea has no outlet to the ocean, and its water is salty, though less so than seawater.
2. Lake Superior (United States/Canada)
Lake Superior is the largest of the five Great Lakes of North America, and it is the largest freshwater lake by surface area in the world.
- Size: 82,100 square kilometers (31,700 square miles).
- Fun Fact: Lake Superior contains more water than the other four Great Lakes combined, and it is deep, with an average depth of 406 meters (1,332 feet).
3. Lake Victoria (Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya)
Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa and the second-largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area.
- Size: 68,800 square kilometers (26,600 square miles).
- Fun Fact: Lake Victoria is the main source of the **White Nile**, and it is surrounded by three countries: Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya.
Conclusion
From the towering heights of Angel Falls and Mount Everest to the massive expanses of the Great Barrier Reef and Lake Superior, Earth is home to some truly extreme natural features. These land and water features not only highlight the beauty and power of nature but also play critical roles in the planet's ecosystem. Whether it's the vastness of the Pacific Ocean or the grandeur of Mount Fuji, these features continue to inspire and awe all who encounter them.
