The World's Most Terrifying Roller Coasters

By Katie RosenbrockJuly 2, 2015 10:33 am EST

Outlandish loops, tummy-turning drops and wicked-fast speeds; these are just a few of the thrilling features that characterize some of the world's most terrifying roller coasters.
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Sure, there's the excitement of adventurous endeavors like white water rafting, backcountry hiking and downhill skiing, but these monstrous, man-made coasters offer a certain type of thrill that Mother Nature just doesn't possess.

Plus, roller coasters are each unique in their own heart-pounding, turn-you-upside-down way.

For example, rides characterized as "giga" coasters reach a range of 300 to 399-feet tall, and "dive" coasters are known for their free-fall-like, 90-degree drops. Aside from say, BASE jumping off one of the world's tallest buildings, there's almost nothing else in the world like riding one of these truly chilling scream machines.

Are you ready for a wild ride? These extreme theme park attractions are some of the fastest, tallest, steepest and, yes, most terrifying roller coasters in the world.

Thunderbrid, Holiday World & Splashin' Safari—Santa Claus, Ind.

Claim to Fame: One of the first wing coasters launched in the U.S., tallest vertical loop on a wing coaster
Stats: 140-feet tall, goes from zero to 60 miles per hour in 3.5 seconds
holidayworld.com

Steel Dragon 2000, Spaland—Mie Prefecture, Japan

Claim to Fame: World's longest steel coaster, world's sixth tallest steel coaster, world's fifth longest steel coaster drop, world's sixth fastest steel coaster
Stats: 318-feet tall, 307-foot, 65-degree drop, reaches up to 95 miles per hour
nagashima-onsen.co.jp

Click here to see more of the world's most terrifying roller coasters.