The Most Intense Volcanic Craters in the World
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Santa Ana Volcano, Cerro Verde National Park, El Salvador
El Salvador's highest volcano, also known as Ilamatepec, is crowned by a tiered crater with a small lake at its center. The four-hour trek from Cerro Verde National Park up the volcano offers breathtaking views once you reach the top. The volcano also served as inspiration for one of the most famous children's books in history, The Little Prince.
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Crater Lake, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Formed after the collapse of Mount Mazama around 7,000 years ago, Crater Lake is the well-deserving namesake of Crater Lake National Park in Oregon. Reaching more than 1,900 feet at its deepest point, this is the deepest lake in the United States and the ninth deepest in the world.
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Taal Volcano, Luzon, Philippines
Lake Taal is located on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. Within that lake you'll find Taal Volcano, and atop that volcano you'll find yet another lake. With the town of Tagaytay as your starting point, you can hitch a ride on a boat across Lake Taal, then ascend the volcano via horseback.
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Koko Crater, Oahu, Hawaii
Koko Crater on the Hawaiian island of Oahu is a scenic and inviting place, despite sitting within a massive (but extinct!) cinder cone volcano. The crater is home to the 60-acre Koko Crater Botanical Garden, where a steep but rewarding climb to the top offers up expansive views of east Oahu.
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Mount Halla, Jeju Island, South Korea
Rising from the center of Jeju Island is Mount Halla, South Korea’s highest peak. The crater that sits atop this volcano measures 1,300 feet in diameter and contains a glistening lake. Mount Halla is located in Hallasan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its crater is reachable on foot for those up to a moderately strenuous day hike.
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Okama Crater Lake, Honshu, Japan
Japan’s Mount Zao is the most active volcano in northern Honshu. It’s home to Okama, which means "pot" in Japanese, a crater lake measuring 1,200 feet in diameter. It's sometimes called the Five Color Lake because it changes color with the weather.
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Kerið, Iceland
While many crater lakes are deep within black volcanic rock, the rock around the colorful Kerið Lake in Iceland is a mix of red, brown, and pink. The 3,000-year-old crater sits within the tourist route known as the Golden Circle.
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Rano Kau Crater, Easter Island, Chile
The Rano Kau crater may not be the most recognizable sight on Easter Island, but it's a worthwhile reason to make the journey to this remote Chilean island. Located within the UNESCO World Heritage–designated Rapa Nui National Park, the volcano is some 1,000 feet high and its crater more than half a mile wide.
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Mount Bromo, East Java, Indonesia
Mount Bromo sits within the greater Tengger Caldera in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. It became a large crater after losing its top during an eruption; the volcano still erupts regularly and maintains a steady spout of smoke. Volcanic activity permitting, it’s easy to visit Mount Bromo by either foot or Jeep tour. For bonus volcano-ing, visit the national park for views of Mount Semeru, the highest volcano on Java.