The most active volcanoes in the world

The most active volcanoes in the world

From bubbling lava lakes to deadly eruptions, we map the world's most active volcanoes

Volcanoes are undeniably nature's most frightening wonders. They appear in stories of excitement and heroism, towering frighteningly above humble settlements and whispering threats of violence and destruction. They are both visually and aurally stunning and uniquely exciting to the intrepid observer.

The world's most active volcanoes in particular offer a frightening beauty that makes thrill-seekers irresistible.

Technically, scientists define an “active volcano” as one that has erupted in the last 10,000 years. By this definition, there are 1,500 active volcanoes in the world today, 75% of which are located along the evocatively named Pacific Ring of Fire. Of course, some active volcanoes erupt much more frequently than the definition suggests.

Kīlauea in Hawaii is currently the most active volcano in the world, followed by Etna in Italy and Piton de la Fournaise on Reunion Island. After that, a ranking is subjective, but the following list comes close.

Each entry has an associated Volcanic Explosivity Index, a ranking of the largest volcanic explosions in recent geological history (with 7 being the highest).

Most active volcanoes

Kilauea

Location: Hawaii, USAContinuous eruption: Since 1983Explosivity index: 4

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Image: Ivan Vtorov, CC BY-SA 3.0

Kīlauea is the youngest volcano on Hawaii's Big Island. It is located on the southeastern slope of neighboring Mauna Loa and for many years was considered a satellite rather than a standalone volcano.

However, research has shown that Kīlauea has its own pipeline system that brings magma to the surface from more than 60 km deep. Additionally, the peak sits atop a series of volcanoes that include Mauna Kea and Kohala, but not Mauna Loa.

Kīlauea's eruptions have destroyed portions of the island's highways, rainforests, homes and even human lives. Locals leave leis as offerings to the fire goddess Pele, who is believed to live in the lava lakes of Halema'uma'u Crater.

Etna

Location: Sicily, ItalyContinuous eruption: 3,500 yearsExplosivity index: 5

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Image: CC BY-SA 3.0

Mount Etna is the largest of the most active volcanoes in Europe. It first erupted about 500,000 years ago and has continued to do so for 3,500 years.

Mount Etna lies on the border between the African and Eurasian plates and has a base circumference of an incredible 140 km. It is by far the largest of Italy's three active volcanoes, the others being Stromboli and Vesuvius.

In Greek mythology, Zeus trapped the deadly 100-headed monster Typhon beneath the mountain, who in his rage caused “rivers of fire” to pour forth.

Piton de la Fournaise

Location: Reunion Island (French)Continuous eruption: From 1920Explosivity index: 5

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Image: CC-BY-SA-2.0-FR

Piton de la Fournaise (“Peak of the Blast Furnace”) has been spewing basaltic lava for more than half a million years. Located on the eastern side of Réunion, the volcano has an 8 km (5 mi) wide caldera, partially breached by the sea, and is in the early stages of failure.

At some point, the Enclos Fouqué caldera will collapse into the Indian Ocean, causing, as some say, a “megatsunami.”

As it stands, eruptions in the caldera cause limited damage because there is little infrastructure in the area. Eruptions outside the caldera pose a more serious threat but are rare, with only six recorded, the last in 1986.

Stromboli

Location: Stromboli, ItalyContinuous eruption: 2,000 yearsExplosivity index: 3

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Stromboli is known for its violent eruptions of molten lava, ash, and rock, which inspired the term "Strombolian" to describe similar activity elsewhere.

The eruptions of Stromboli are visible from afar and are therefore also known as the “Lighthouse of the Mediterranean”. It sits on the island of Stromboli, the summit of a large underwater volcano that begins over 1,000 meters below the ocean's surface.

According to scholar Clyde S. Kilby, author J. R. R. Tolkien identified his fictional volcano Mount Doom with Stromboli. The volcano also appears at the end of Jules Verne's novel Journey to the Center of the Earth.

Mount Yasur

Location: Tanna Island, VanuatuContinuous eruption: 800 yearsExplosivity index: 3

Mount Yasur holds a special place in our hearts as the number one travel experience. Located on the remote Pacific island of Tanna, Yasur is famous for its Strombolian eruptions.

The volcano's glow is visible from far away and was apparently what attracted Captain James Cook to the island on the first European voyage in 1774.

Today it is one of the most easily accessible active volcanoes in the world, but has proven fatal to careless tourists who venture into the lower rim.

Ambrym

Location: Ambrym Island, VanuatuContinuous Eruption: From 1935Explosivity Index: 6+

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Image: Public domain

Ambrym is a large basalt volcano with a 12 km (7.4 mile) wide caldera, the result of a massive explosion that occurred around 50 AD.

Ambryn's eruptive power is rated at 6, the second highest in the Volcanic Explosivity Index.

Several times a century, eruptions from Ambrym cause destruction on the island. Mount Benbow, one of Ambryn's two active volcanic cones, erupted in 1913, prompting the evacuation of the population to Mele on the main island of Efate.

Mount Merapi

Location: IndonesiaContinuous eruption: Since 1967Explosivity index: 4

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Image: Rudytanjung, Dreamstime

Mount Merapi, located near the center of Java, is the most active of Indonesia's 130 active volcanoes. Smoke rolls from the mountaintop for over 300 days a year, and nearly half of its eruptions are accompanied by pyroclastic flows (clouds of superheated gases and glowing solid particles).

Several eruptions from Merapi have claimed lives. In 1994, 64 people were killed, and a series of eruptions in 2010 killed scores, injured dozens and forced tens of thousands to evacuate.

Erta Ale

Location: EthiopiaContinuous eruption: Since 1967Explosivity index: 1

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Located in the Afar Depression in northeastern Ethiopia, Erta Ale holds the record for the longest existing lava lake, having existed since 1906. Volcanoes with lava lakes are very rare; Only Kīlauea, Ambryn and Erebus from this list and Nyiragongo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have permanent or near-permanent lava lakes.

Erta Ale, which means “smoking mountain” in the local Afar language, is one of the driest, lowest and hottest places on earth, with temperatures reaching 47°C (118°F).

The volcano offers some stunning views, but there have been reports of violence against tourists, including a number of deaths, so caution is advised.

Pacaya

Location: GuatemalaContinuous eruption: Since 1965Explosivity index: 3

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Pacaya lay dormant for at least a century before a violent eruption in 1965. Much of its activity is Strombolian, but also includes ash eruptions and lava flows.

In May 2010, Pacaya erupted violently, throwing debris and ash columns up to 1,500 meters (4,920 feet). Ash rained down on a number of cities, including the capital, Guatemala City.

The national disaster management agency CONRED declared a red alert and recommended the evacuation of surrounding communities. The eruption damaged hundreds of homes and killed several people, including local news reporter Anibal Archila, who was hit by volcanic debris.

Mount Erebus

Location: AntarcticaContinuous eruption: Since 1972Explosivity index: 4

alt="Erebus, the most active volcanoes">Dreamtime

Mount Erebus is the southernmost active volcano in the world. Located on Ross Island, it has a summit elevation of 3,794 meters (12,448 feet) and is home to one of the few persistent lava lakes in the world.

Erebus is notable because its low but persistent activity allows volcanologists to study the Strombolian eruption system very close to the active vents (hundreds of meters).

Erebus is also known for its fumaroles: openings in the Earth's crust that allow steam and gases from volcanoes to escape. Once the steam leaves one of these openings, it freezes and eventually forms massive snow chimneys.

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Additional photography: Dreamstime

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