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Active volcano

Topic: Earth

 From HandWiki - Reading time: 13 min
Short description: Geological feature
World map of active volcanoes and plate boundaries
Kīlauea's lava entering the sea
Lava flows at Holuhraun, Iceland, September 2014

An active volcano is a volcano that is currently erupting, or has the potential to erupt in the future.[1] Conventionally it is applied to any that have erupted during the Holocene (the current geologic epoch that began approximately 11,700 years ago). A volcano that is not currently erupting but could erupt in the future is also known as a dormant volcano.[1] Volcanoes that will not erupt again, or are thought to never erupt again, are known as extinct volcanoes.[1]

Overview

There are 1,650 potentially active volcanoes around the world, 500 of which have erupted in historical time.[2] Many active volcanoes are located along the Pacific Rim, also known as the Pacific Ring of Fire.[2][3] An estimated 500 million people live near active volcanoes.[3]

Historical time (or recorded history) is another timeframe for active.[4][5] The span of recorded history differs from region to region. In China and the Mediterranean, it reaches back nearly 3,000 years, but in the Pacific Northwest of the United States and Canada, it reaches back less than 300 years, and in Hawaii and New Zealand it is only around 200 years.[4] The incomplete Catalogue of the Active Volcanoes of the World, published in parts between 1951 and 1975 by the International Association of Volcanology, uses this definition, by which there are more than 500 active volcanoes.[4][6] As of March 2021, the Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program recognizes 560 volcanoes with confirmed historical eruptions.[7]

Countries with the most Holocene volcanoes, according to the Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program (as of 2023):[8]

  1. United States: 165
  2. Japan: 122
  3. Russia: 117
  4. Indonesia 117
  5. Chile: 91

Countries with the most volcanoes active since 1960 (as of 2023):[9]

  1. Indonesia: 55
  2. Japan: 40
  3. US: 39 (mostly volcanic areas in and around Hawaii, Alaska, California, Oregon, Washington State and Pacific territories)
  4. Russia: 27
  5. Chile: 19
  6. Papua New Guinea: 13
  7. Ecuador: 12

As of 2025, the following are considered Earth's most active volcanoes:[10]

Other highly active volcanoes include:

Holocene volcanoes with large populations within 5 km (3.1 mi):

Michoacan-Guanajuato volcano in Mexico and Tatun Volcanic Group in Taiwan both have more than 5 million people living within 5 kilometers (3.1 mi) of the volcano. Campi Flegrei in Italy and Ilopango in El Salvador both have populations of over 2 million people living within 5 kilometers (3.1 mi) of the volcanoes. Hainan Volcanic Field in China, San Pablo Volcanic Field in the Philippines, Ghegham Volcanic Ridge in Armenia, Dieng Volcanic Complex, in Indonesia, and Auckland Volcanic Field in New Zealand all have over 1 million people living within 5 kilometers (3.1 mi) of each volcano.[12]

By country

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Argentina

Argentina is part of the Andes Mountains volcanic belt along the western South American Pacific coast. These volcanoes are a result of subduction, where the Nazca Plate is subducting below the South American Plate. The following list are active/dormant volcanoes in Argentina:

Bolivia

Chile

File:Chaiten volcano in eruption.jpg
The venting lava dome taken in 2008 during Chaitens' eruption.

Colombia

Costa Rica

Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

Ecuador

The Galapagos Islands (Ecuador)

Greece

El Salvador

Ethiopia

Guatemala

Source:[13]

Honduras

  • Tiger Island, a stratovolcano
  • Isla Zacate Grande, a stratovolcano
  • Lake Yojoa, a volcano field
  • Utila, a shield volcano in the Caribbean Sea.
Iceland's Fagradalsfjall volcano
Hekla, stratovolcano in Iceland

Iceland

Source:[14]

File:Eruption near Grindavík on March 16, 2024.png
A fissure eruption of the Svartsengi system on March 16, 2024 in Iceland.
  • Askja, a stratovolcano
  • Bardarbunga, a stratovolcano
  • Brennisteinsfjoll, crater rows
  • Eldvörp–Svartsengi, fissure vents
  • Eldey, fissure vent
  • Esjufjoll, stratovolcano
  • Eyjafjallajokull, stratovolcano
  • Fagradalsfjall, fissure vents. Short and frequent eruptions between 2021 and 2023.
  • Fremrinamar, stratovolcano
  • Grimsnes, volcanic field
  • Grimsvotn, caldera
  • Heidarspordar, fissure vent
  • Hekla, stratovolcano
  • Helgrindur, volcanic field
  • Hengill, crater rows
  • Hofsjokull, fissure vent
  • Hromundartindur, stratovolcano
  • Katla, fissure vent
  • Kolbeinsey Ridge, fissure vent
  • Krafla, caldera
  • Krysuvik-Trolladyngja, crater rows
  • Kverkfjoll, stratovolcano
  • Ljosufjoll, volcanic field
  • Oddnyjarhnjukur-Langjokull, fissure vent
  • Oraefajokull, stratovolcano
  • Prestahnukur, fissure vent
  • Reykjanes, crater rows
  • Snaefell, stratovolcano
  • Snaefellsjokull, stratovolcano
  • Theistareykir, shield volcano
  • Thordarhyrna, stratovolcano
  • Tindfjallajokull, stratovolcano
  • Tjornes fracture zone, fissure vent
  • Torfajokull, stratovolcano
  • Tungnafellsjokull, stratovolcano
  • Vestmannaeyjar, fissure vents
File:Kerinci mountain.jpg
View of Mount Kerinci from the Kayu Aro plateau, Kerinci Regency, Jambi, Indonesia
Mount Rinjani on the Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia
File:Bromo and Semeru volcanoes, Java, Indonesia, 20220820 0717 9517.jpg
Mount Semeru and Bromo Tengger Semeru Park, East Java, Indonesia

Indonesia

Source:[15][16][circular reference]

Sumatera Island

Sunda Strait and Java

  • Semeru, a stratovolcano
  • Krakatoa, a volcanic caldera
  • Pulosari (volcano), a stratovolcano
  • Gunung Karang, a stratovolcano
  • Mount Salak, an eroded stratovolcano

Lesser Sunda Islands

Sumbawa

  • Mount Tambora, a stratovolcano, the 1815 eruption was the largest in recorded history.

Sulawesi and Sangihe Islands

Banda Sea

  • Mount Wurlali, a stratovolcano

Halmahera

  • Kie Matubu, a stratovolcano


Aerial image of Stromboli (view from the northeast)
Mount Etna in Italy

Italy

Source:[17]

Nantai volcano, Tochigi-Nikko, Japan in 2013
Yotei Volcano on Hokkaido in Japan

Japan

See list of volcanoes in Japan for more information

Hokkaido

Honshū

Izu Islands

Kyūshū

Ryūkyū Islands

  • Submarine Volcano NNE of Iriomotejima, submarine volcano
  • Iōtorishima, volcanic island
  • Kikai Caldera, caldera
  • Kuchinoshima
  • Kuchinoerabujima
  • Nakanoshima, volcanic island
  • Suwanosejima
  • Yokoatejima, volcanic island
Colima volcano in Mexico
Popocatepetl volcano in Mexico

Mexico

Source:[18]

  • Los Atlixcos, shield volcano
  • Barcena, pyroclastic cone
  • Ceboruco, stratovolcano
  • Chichinautzin, volcanic field
  • El Chichon, lava dome
  • Cofre de Perote, compound
  • Colima, stratovolcano
  • Comondu-La Purisima, volcanic field
  • Coronado, stratovolcano
  • Las Cumbres, stratovolcano
  • Durango Volcanic Field, volcanic field
  • La Gloria, volcanic field
  • Guadalupe, shield volcano
  • Los Humeros, caldera
  • Isla Isabel, tuff cone
  • Iztaccihuatl, stratovolcano
  • Jaraguay Volcanic Field, volcanic field
  • Jocotitlan, stratovolcano
  • La Malinche, stratovolcano
  • Mascota Volcanic Field, volcanic field
  • Michoacan-Guanajuato, a volcanic field that includes the famous 1943 to 1952 Paricutin volcano.
  • Naolinco Volcanic Field, volcanic field
  • Northern East Pacific Rise at 16°N, fissure vent
  • Northern East Pacific Rise at 17°N, fissure vent
  • Pico de Orizaba, stratovolcano
  • Pinacate, volcanic field
  • Popocatepetl, stratovolcano
  • Cerro Prieto, lava dome
  • San Borja Volcanic Field
  • Isla San Luis, tuff cone
  • San Martin, volcanic field
  • Sanganguey, stratovolcano
  • Serdan-Oriental, volcanic field
  • Socorro, shield volcano
  • Tacana, stratovolcano
  • Nevado de Toluca, stratovolcano
  • Isla Tortuga, shield volcano
  • Zitacuaro-Valle de Bravo, volcanic field
Mayon volcano in the Philippines
Taal volcano, Philippines

Nicaragua

New Zealand

Peru

  • Chachani, a stratovolcano
  • Coropuna, a stratovolcano
  • Huambo volcanic field, a volcano field
  • Misti, a stratovolcano
  • Casiri (Tacna), a complex volcano
  • Sabancaya, a stratovolcano
  • Ubinas, a stratovolcano
  • Huaynaputina, a stratovolcano
  • Yucamane, a stratovolcano

Philippines

Source:[19]

  • Ambalatungan Group, a volcanic compound
  • Apo, a stratovolcano
  • Babuyan Claro, a stratovolcano
  • Balut, a stratovolcano
  • Mount Banahaw, volcanic complex
  • Biliran, volcanic compound
  • Mount Bulusan, stratovolcano
  • Cabalían, stratovolcano
  • Cagua, stratovolcano
  • Camiguin, stratovolcano
  • Camiguin de Babuyanes, stratovolcano
  • Cuernos de Negros, volcanic complex
  • Didicas, volcanic compound
  • Iraya, stratovolcano
  • Iriga, stratovolcano
  • Isarog, stratovolcano
  • Kalatungan, stratovolcano
  • Kanlaon, stratovolcano
  • Laguna Caldera, a caldera
  • Leonard Range, stratovolcano
  • Mahagnao, stratovolcano
  • Makaturing, stratovolcano
  • Malindang, stratovolcano
  • Malindig, stratovolcano
  • Mandalagan, volcanic complex
  • Masaraga, stratovolcano
  • Matutum, stratovolcano
  • Mayon, stratovolcano
  • Musuan, a lava dome
  • Parker, stratovolcano
  • Patoc, stratovolcano
  • Pinatubo, stratovolcano
  • Pocdol Mountains, a volcanic compound
  • Ragang, stratovolcano
  • San Pablo Volcanic Field, a volcanic field
  • Silay, stratovolcano
  • Taal, a caldera

Turkey

  • Mount Ararat, a compound volcano

United States

Kilauea Fissure 8 cone

Colorado

Hawaii

Source:[20]

Mount Hood in Oregon
Mount Bachelor, Oregon

Idaho

  • Black Butte Crater Lava Field, a volcano field
  • Craters of the Moon, a volcanic field
  • Hell's Half Acre Lava Field, a volcano field

Oregon

Mount St. Helens, Washington
Mount Rainier, Washington

New Mexico

Washington

Mount Shasta, California

California

  • Mount Shasta, a stratovolcano
  • Lassen Peak, a stratovolcano
  • Clear Lake Volcanic Field, a volcanic field full of lava domes and cinder cones
  • Mount Konocti, a lava dome
  • Mono-Inyo Craters, a volcanic field and volcanic arc within the Sierra Nevada
  • Negit Island, an island with a volcanic cone on it
  • Paoha Island, an island with a volcanic cone on it
  • Panum Crater, a cinder cone with a lava dome
  • Mammoth Mountain, a large lava dome
  • Long Valley Caldera, a large caldera
  • Big Pine volcanic field, a volcanic field
  • Coso Volcanic Field, a volcanic field
  • Cima volcanic field, a volcanic field
  • Lavic Lake volcanic field, a volcanic field
  • Amboy Crater, a cinder cone
  • Pisgah Crater, a cinder cone
  • Aiken's Wash, a cinder cone
  • Salton Buttes, a group of short and small lava domes southeast of the Salton Sea
  • Red Island Volcano, a short lava dome

Wyoming

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Poland, Michael (2022-10-10). "Active, dormant, and extinct: Clarifying confusing classifications | U.S. Geological Survey". United States Geological Survey. https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/yvo/news/active-dormant-and-extinct-clarifying-confusing-classifications. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "How many active volcanoes are there on Earth? | U.S. Geological Survey". United States Geological Survey. November 2023. https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/how-many-active-volcanoes-are-there-earth. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Volcanoes". European Space Agency. 2009. http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Space_for_our_climate/SEM3XU2VQUD_0.html. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Decker, Robert Wayne; Decker, Barbara (1991). Mountains of Fire: The Nature of Volcanoes. Cambridge University Press. p. 7. ISBN 978-0-521-31290-5. https://books.google.com/books?id=-P83AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA7. 
  5. ↑ Tilling, Robert I. (1997). "Volcano environment". Volcanoes. Denver, Colorado: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey. https://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/volc/environments.html. Retrieved August 16, 2012. "There are more than 500 active volcanoes (those that have erupted at least once within recorded history) in the world" 
  6. ↑ DeFelice, B.; Spydell, D.R.; Stoiber, R.E. (14 November 1997). "Catalogs of Active Volcanoes". The Electronic Volcano. Dartmouth College. https://www.dartmouth.edu/~volcano/EvA.html. 
  7. ↑ Venzke, E., ed (2013). "How many active volcanoes are there?". Smithsonian Institution. https://volcano.si.edu/faq/index.cfm?question=activevolcanoes. 
  8. ↑ "Global Volcanism Program | Which countries have the most volcanoes?" (in en). https://volcano.si.edu/faq/. 
  9. ↑ "Infographic: The Countries With the Most Active Volcanos" (in en). 2023-11-15. https://www.statista.com/chart/27828/countries-with-the-most-volcanoes-that-have-been-active-since-1950. 
  10. ↑ "The most active volcanoes in the world". VolcanoDiscovery.com. http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/558.html. 
  11. ↑ "Where is the largest active volcano in the world? | U.S. Geological Survey". United States Geological Survey. 9 January 1985. https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/where-largest-active-volcano-world. 
  12. ↑ "Global Volcanism Program | What volcanoes have the most people living nearby?" (in en). https://volcano.si.edu/faq/. 
  13. ↑ "Global Volcanism Program | Guatemala Volcanoes" (in en). https://volcano.si.edu/volcanolist_countries.cfm?country=Guatemala. 
  14. ↑ "Global Volcanism Program | Iceland Volcanoes" (in en). https://volcano.si.edu/. 
  15. ↑ "Global Volcanism Program | Indonesia Volcanoes" (in en). https://volcano.si.edu/volcanolist_countries.cfm?country=Indonesia. 
  16. ↑ List of volcanoes in Indonesia. "List of volcanoes in Indonesia - Wikipedia". https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_volcanoes_in_Indonesia. 
  17. ↑ "Global Volcanism Program | Italy Volcanoes" (in en). https://volcano.si.edu/. 
  18. ↑ "Global Volcanism Program | Mexico Volcanoes" (in en). https://volcano.si.edu/. 
  19. ↑ "Global Volcanism Program | Philippines Volcanoes" (in en). https://volcano.si.edu/. 
  20. ↑ "Active Volcanoes of Hawaii | U.S. Geological Survey". United States Geological Survey. https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/active-volcanoes-hawaii. 



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