Major volcanoes of the world

▪ Table

Major volcanoes of the world

region elevation* first recorded eruption comments

feet metres

Mediterranean

Etna (Etna, Mount), Sicily, Italy 10,991 3,350 1500 BC The tallest active volcano in Europe, Etna has had recorded eruptions for millennia, including a huge blast in 1669 that left 20,000 people dead.

Vesuvius, Campania, Italy 4,203 1,281 0217 BC This storied volcano, which in AD 79 destroyed the city of Pompeii, is still active and is surrounded by several million people living in the area of Naples.

Stromboli (Stromboli Island), Eolie Islands, Italy 3,038 926 *350 BC Nearly continuous small eruptions of incandescent lava have given this volcano, located on an island north of Sicily, the nickname "lighthouse of the Mediterranean."

Vulcano (Vulcano Island), Eolie Islands, Italy 1,640 500 *360 BC Vulcano, the ancient archetype of the term volcano, has not erupted since the late 19th century.

Thera (Santoríni), Cyclades, Greece 1,204 367 *197 BC The scenic island of Thera is actually the remains of a volcano that exploded about 1500 BC in one of the largest eruptions of historic times.

Atlantic Ocean

Teide (Teide Peak), Tenerife, Canary Islands 12,188 3,715 1396 The highest peak in the Atlantic Ocean, Teide was observed in eruption by Christopher Columbus and still emits hot gas from vents on its slopes.

Fogo (Fogo Island), Cape Verde Islands 9,281 2,829 1500 The highest peak in the Cape Verde Islands, Fogo rises from a caldera created by an ancient volcanic collapse.

Beerenberg, Jan Mayen, Norway 7,470 2,277 1732 Located on an island in the Arctic Circle, Beerenberg is the northernmost active volcano on Earth.

Tristan da Cunha, South Atlantic 6,758 2,060 1961 The only recorded eruption of this remote island-volcano occurred in 1961, forcing the evacuation of its small population for two years.

Askja, Iceland 4,974 1,516 1875 Askja's three large calderas are dotted by volcanically active fissures and cones.

Hekla, Iceland 4,892 1,491 1104 One of Iceland's most active volcanoes, it has an elongated profile caused by frequent eruptions of lava from a long fissure running parallel to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

Deception Island, South Shetland Islands 1,890 576 1800 This ring-shaped island-volcano off the Antarctic Peninsula has a natural inner harbour formed from a huge caldera.

Surtsey, Iceland 554 169 1963 This volcanic island emerged from the Atlantic Ocean in a fiery eruption in 1963.

North America

Citlaltépetl (Pico de Orizaba, Volcano), Veracruz-Puebla, Mexico 18,619 5,675 1545 This volcano has been dormant since 1846; its snowcapped cone is the third highest peak in North America.

Popocatépetl, México-Puebla, Mexico 17,802 5,426 1345 Popocatépetl (Aztec for "smoking mountain") still spreads ash on occasion over the surrounding region.

Rainier (Rainier, Mount), Washington, U.S. 14,409 4,392 1825 This dormant volcano is one of the premier mountain-climbing destinations in the United States.

Colima, Colima, Mexico 12,631 3,850 1519 This active volcano frequently ejects ash plumes and lava bombs.

Hood (Hood, Mount), Oregon, U.S. 11,240 3,426 1859 The highest peak in Oregon and visible from Portland, this dormant volcano is the focal point of Mount Hood National Forest.

Lassen (Lassen Peak), California, U.S. 10,456 3,187 1914 A series of eruptions from 1914 to 1917 marked the southernmost volcanic activity recorded in the Cascade Range.

Redoubt, Alaska, U.S. 10,197 3,108 1902 Lava domes on this volcano occasionally collapse, melting glaciers and sending mudflows streaming down nearby river valleys.

Shishaldin, Alaska, U.S. 9,373 2,857 1824 The snow-covered, beautifully symmetrical cone of this Aleutian volcano frequently spouts ash and lava.

Parícutin (Paricutín), Michoacán, Mexico 9,210 2,807 1943 One of the youngest volcanoes on Earth, it was born of a continuous eruption of lava and ash that lasted from 1943 to 1952.

St. Helens (Saint Helens, Mount), Washington, U.S. 8,363 2,549 1831 A gigantic eruption in 1980 devastated 550 square km (210 square miles) of mountain terrain and spread ash over Washington, Idaho, and Montana.

Pavlof (Pavlof Volcano), Alaska, U.S. 8,264 2,519 1790 This active volcano forms a striking landform with its nearby twin peak, Pavlof Sister.

Veniaminof, Alaska, U.S. 8,225 2,507 1838 Two cones rise from a huge glacier-filled caldera at the top of this volcano.

Katmai (Katmai National Park and Preserve), Alaska, U.S. 6,716 2,047 1912 The summit of this volcano collapsed in 1912 following the gigantic explosion of nearby Novarupta Volcano—the largest eruption recorded in the 20th century.

El Chichón, Chiapas, Mexico 3,773 1,150 1982 A powerful blast in 1982 destroyed most villages within 8 km (5 miles) and left behind a crater that is now filled with an acidic lake.

Central America and Caribbean

Tajumulco (Tajumulco Volcano), Guatemala 13,845 4,220 1821(?) The highest volcano in Central America, its twin peaks rise almost from sea level near the city of San Marcos.

Acatenango, Guatemala 13,044 3,976 1924 This peak and its twin, Fuego, rise above the old colonial city of Antigua Guatemala.

Fuego, Guatemala 12,346 3,763 1524 This twin of Acatenango is one of Central America's most active volcanoes, frequently erupting ash and lava.

Irazú (Irazú Volcano), Costa Rica 11,260 3,432 1723 The highest volcano in Costa Rica, it is a popular tourist spot that offers views of the country's Pacific and Atlantic coasts.

Poás, Costa Rica 8,884 2,708 1828 Two of the three craters at the summit contain lakes that regularly attract tourists and observers.

Pacaya, Guatemala 8,373 2,552 1565 Lava explosions are visible from Guatemala City, 30 km (18 miles) away.

Santa Ana (Santa Ana Volcano), El Salvador 7,812 2,381 1521 El Salvador's highest volcano.

San Miguel, El Salvador 6,988 2,130 1510 The slopes of this active volcano are home to coffee plantations and to the important city of San Miguel.

Izalco (Izalco Volcano), El Salvador 6,398 1,950 1770 Born of a series of eruptions in 1770; its frequent glowing activity caused it to be called the "lighthouse of the Pacific."

San Cristóbal, Nicaragua 5,725 1,745 1528 The highest volcano in Nicaragua.

Concepción, Nicaragua 5,577 1,700 1883 This active volcano rises from the northern half of Ometepe Island in Lake Nicaragua.

Arenal, Costa Rica 5,436 1,657 1922 Frequent explosions and effusions of lava have made this volcano a popular destination for sightseers.

Pelée (Pelée, Mount), Martinique 4,583 1,397 1792 An eruption of hot gas and ash in 1902 killed 26,000 people in the port city of Saint-Pierre.

Momotombo, Nicaragua 4,255 1,297 1524 The cone of this volcano, rising on the northern shore of Lake Managua, is a prominent landmark.

Soufrière, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 4,003 1,220 1718 An eruption in 1902 killed 2,000 people and ruined half the island of Saint Vincent.

South America

Guallatiri, Chile 19,918 6,071 1825 This volcano is occasionally observed venting steam and gas.

Cotopaxi, Ecuador 19,393 5,911 1534 Though Cotopaxi is Ecuador's best-known volcano, it has not erupted since the first half of the 20th century.

El Misti (Misti Volcano), Peru 19,101 5,822 1542 This volcano, its symmetrical cone towering over the city of Arequipa, holds an important place in Peruvian culture.

Lascar, Chile 18,346 5,592 1848 This active volcano frequently ejects clouds of ash and pumice.

Ruiz (Ruiz, Mount), Colombia 17,457 5,321 1570 In 1985 a relatively mild eruption melted a glacier on this volcano, triggering mudflows that buried several villages and killed more than 25,000 people.

Sangay, Ecuador 17,159 5,230 1628 This steep-sided, glacier-covered volcano is almost constantly erupting.

Tungurahua, Ecuador 16,479 5,023 1640 Lava and mixtures of hot ash and gas frequently flow down the sides of this steep and active volcano.

Guagua Pichincha, Ecuador 15,695 4,784 1566 Rising just west of the capital city of Quito, this volcano regularly has small eruptions.

Llaima, Chile 10,253 3,125 1640 Ash columns and lava flows frequently issue from this glacier-clad volcano, which, like Villarrica, is a popular ski area.

Villarrica, Chile 9,340 2,847 1558 Ash columns and lava flows frequently issue from this glacier-clad volcano, which, like Llaima, is a popular ski area.

Hudson, Chile 6,250 1,905 1891 This southernmost volcano in the Chilean Andes exploded violently in 1991.

Pacific Ocean

Mauna Kea, Hawaii, U.S. 13,796 4,205 . . . This dormant volcano, often snowcapped because of its great height, is home to an astronomical observatory.

Mauna Loa, Hawaii, U.S. 13,681 4,170 1832 Every three to four years, this huge shield volcano erupts with fountains and streams of incandescent lava.

Erebus, Ross Island 12,447 3,794 1841 The southernmost active volcano in the world, Erebus ejects lava almost constantly.

Kilauea, Hawaii, U.S. 4,009 1,222 1790 Since 1983 Kilauea has been in almost continual eruption, producing rivers of lava that flow to the sea 50 km (30 miles) away.

Loihi, Hawaii, U.S. -3,199 -975 1996 Frequent effusions of lava from this submarine volcano will bring it to the surface between 10,000 and 100,000 years from now.

East Asia

Klyuchevskaya (Klyuchevskaya Volcano), Kamchatka, Russia 15,863 4,835 1697 The highest and most active volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula.

Fuji (Fuji, Mount), Honshu, Japan 12,388 3,776 781 Dormant since 1707, this volcano has a graceful conical form and is a sacred symbol of Japan.

Tolbachik, Kamchatka, Russia 12,080 3,682 1739 Tolbachik is enormous, composed of a rounded shield volcano and a conical stratovolcano.

Shiveluch, Kamchatka, Russia 10,771 3,283 1854 Rising dramatically from a plain north of Klyuchevskaya Volcano, Shiveluch occasionally spouts plumes of ash.

Ontake (Ontake, Mount), Honshu, Japan 10,049 3,063 1979 Second only to Mount Fuji in elevation and popular esteem, Ontake is an object of worship for pilgrims who climb it each year.

Bezymianny, Kamchatka, Russia 9,455 2,882 1955 This volcano was considered dormant until 1955-56; in the latter year a gigantic blast created a large crater that has since been filled by a growing lava dome.

Alaid, Kuril Islands, Russia 7,674 2,339 1790 The largest volcano in the Kuril Islands, Alaid has been observed ejecting huge plumes of ash.

Aso (Aso, Mount), Kyushu, Japan 5,223 1,592 864 The gigantic caldera of this volcano is occupied by many peaks, including Naka-dake, one of Japan's most active volcanoes.

Unzen (Unzen, Mount), Kyushu, Japan 4,921 1,500 1663 A 1792 eruption caused a debris avalanche and tsunami that killed more than 10,000 people.

Southeast Asia and Oceania

Kerinci, Sumatra, Indonesia 12,467 3,800 1838 Located in a national park in central Sumatra, Kerinci is the highest volcano in Indonesia.

Rinjani, Lombok, Indonesia 12,224 3,726 1847 The caldera at the summit of this volcano is the site of a lake and of an active cone that frequently issues lava.

Semeru, Java, Indonesia 12,060 3,676 1818 The highest volcano on Java, Semeru is almost continuously erupting lava or ash.

Slamet, Java, Indonesia 11,247 3,428 1772 Slamet periodically ejects plumes of ash, often in conjunction with mild ground tremors.

Raung, Java, Indonesia 10,932 3,332 1593 Explosive eruptions frequently originate in vents located within a broad caldera at the peak of this volcano.

Agung (Agung, Mount), Bali, Indonesia 10,308 3,142 1808 The highest and most sacred point in Bali, it is traditionally considered to be a throne of the gods and the centre of the world.

Merapi (Merapi, Mount), Java, Indonesia 9,737 2,968 1548 Located in a densely populated region, Merapi ("Mountain of Fire") is known for ejecting dangerous mixtures of hot gas and ash.

Apo (Apo, Mount), Mindanao, Philippines 9,691 2,954 . . . The highest peak in the Philippines, Apo is the site of a national park.

Marapi, Sumatra, Indonesia 9,485 2,891 1770 Sumatra's most active volcano, Marapi has had more than 50 reported eruptions, most of them small or moderate explosions.

Tambora (Tambora, Mount), Sumbawa, Indonesia 9,350 2,850 1812 In 1815 Tambora blew 1,400 metres (4,600 feet) off its top in the largest explosive eruption ever recorded.

Ruapehu (Ruapehu, Mount), North Island, New Zealand 9,176 2,797 1861 Permanently snow-covered above the tree line, this volcano is in a popular ski area.

Papandayan, Java, Indonesia 8,743 2,665 1772 The collapsed summit of this volcano contains a famous area of sulfurous vents known as Kawah Mas ("Golden Crater").

Mayon (Mayon Volcano), Luzon, Philippines 8,077 2,462 1616 The Philippines' most active volcano, Mayon frequently ejects plumes of ash and streams of lava.

Canlaon (Canlaon, Mount), Negros, Philippines 7,989 2,435 1866 The highest point in the Visayan Islands, Canlaon is located in a national park that includes craters, hot springs, and a variety of wildlife.

Ulawun, New Britain, Papua New Guinea 7,657 2,334 1700 The highest peak on the island of New Britain, Ulawun ("North Son") forms a pair with its nearby twin, Bamus ("South Son").

Kelud, Java, Indonesia 5,679 1,731 1000 The summit crater contains a lake that caused devastating mudflows in previous eruptions but is now controlled by drainage tunnels.

Lamington, New Guinea, Papua New Guinea 5,512 1,680 1951 Lamington was not known to be a volcano until 1951, when a powerful blast swept the area with hot gas and ash, killing 3,000 people.

Pinatubo (Pinatubo, Mount), Luzon, Philippines 4,875 1,486 1991 A gigantic explosion in 1991 may have produced more ash and smoke than any other volcanic eruption of the 20th century.

Krakatoa (Krakatau), Sunda Strait, Indonesia 2,667 813 1680 In 1883 a series of tremendous explosions collapsed the island of Krakatoa; since 1927 a new cone, Anak Krakatau ("Son of Krakatoa"), has risen from the submerged caldera of the old volcano.

Taal, Luzon, Philippines 1,312 400 1572 Taal Volcano, also called Volcano Island, rises from Taal Lake, which fills the caldera of an ancient volcano.

Africa and Indian Ocean

Cameroon (Cameroon, Mount), Cameroon 13,435 4,095 1650 Lava frequently flows down the flanks of this volcano, located near the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa.

Nyiragongo (Nyiragongo, Mount), Congo (Kinshasa) 11,384 3,470 1884 Lava flowing from its crater in 1977 and 2002 killed thousands of people and damaged the city of Goma.

Nyamulagira (Nyamulagira, Mount), Congo (Kinshasa) 10,033 3,058 1865 The most active volcano in Africa, it often emits lava and ash, though fatalities are rare.

Ol Doinyo Lengai, Tanzania 9,482 2,890 1880 Masai for "Mountain of God," Ol Doinyo Lengai still issues lava from its summit crater.

Fournaise, Réunion 8,632 2,631 1640 One of the world's most active volcanoes, it regularly issues flows of lava and is the site of a French volcanic observatory.

Karthala, Comoros 7,746 2,361 1808 Lava flowing from the summit and flanks of this shield volcano frequently reaches the sea.

Erta-Ale, Ethiopia 2,011 613 1906 Ethiopia's most active volcano; its summit caldera frequently overflows with lava.

Barren Island, Andaman Islands, India 1,161 354 1787 Located in the Andaman Sea some 1,300 km (800 miles) east of the Indian mainland, Barren Island is the only historically active volcano on Indian territory.

*Elevation figures may differ from other sources.

Source: Lee Siebert and Tom Simkin, Volcanoes of the World: An Illustrated Catalog of Holocene Volcanoes and Their Eruptions (2002- ), Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program Digital Information Series, GVP-3, http://www.volcano.si.edu/world.

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