Active volcano Facts for Kids

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. It can also be a volcano that has erupted recently and could erupt again in the future. Scientists usually call a volcano active if it has erupted at any time during the last 11,700 years. This period is known as the Holocene epoch.

If a volcano is not erupting now but might in the future, it is called a dormant volcano. Volcanoes that scientists believe will never erupt again are known as extinct volcanoes.

Exploring Active Volcanoes
Volcanoes Around the World
See also

Exploring Active Volcanoes

There are about 1,650 volcanoes around the world that could be active. Around 500 of these have erupted in recorded history. Many active volcanoes are found along the Pacific Ocean, in an area called the Pacific Ring of Fire. It is estimated that 500 million people live close to active volcanoes.

The term historical time means the period when people started writing down events. This time period is different in various parts of the world. For example, in China, recorded history goes back almost 3,000 years. In places like Hawaii, it only goes back about 200 years.

The Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program tracks active volcanoes. As of 2023, they recognize 560 volcanoes that have had confirmed eruptions in historical times.

Countries with Many Active Volcanoes

Here are some countries with many volcanoes that have been active since the Holocene period (the last 11,700 years), according to the Smithsonian Institution (as of 2023):

United States: 165
Japan: 122
Russia: 117
Indonesia: 117
Chile: 91

And here are countries with the most volcanoes active since 1960 (as of 2023):

Indonesia: 55
Japan: 40
United States: 39 (many are in Hawaii, Alaska, and other Pacific areas)
Russia: 27
Chile: 19

Earth's Most Active Volcanoes

As of 2025, some of Earth's most active volcanoes include:

Kīlauea in Hawaii: This famous volcano had almost continuous lava flows from 1983 to 2018. It also had the longest-observed lava lake.
Mount Etna and Stromboli: These two volcanoes are located in the Mediterranean Sea.
Piton de la Fournaise: Found on Réunion island, it erupts often, making it a popular tourist spot.

Other very active volcanoes include:

Mauna Loa in Hawaii: This is the largest active volcano in the world. Its top is over 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) above sea level. Its base is 17 kilometers (10.5 miles) below sea level.
Mount Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira: These are Africa's most active volcanoes.

Nyiragongo's lava lake

Erta Ale: Located in the Afar Triangle, it has had a lava lake since at least 1906.
Mount Erebus: This volcano in Antarctica has also had a lava lake since at least 1972.
Whakaari / White Island: This volcano in New Zealand has been releasing volcanic gas since before Europeans arrived in 1769.

Living Near Volcanoes

Many people live close to active volcanoes. For example, the Michoacán–Guanajuato volcanic field in Mexico and the Tatun Volcanic Group in Taiwan each have over 5 million people living within 5 kilometers (3 miles) of them. Other areas with large populations near volcanoes include Campi Flegrei in Italy and Ilopango in El Salvador.

Volcanoes Around the World

Active volcanoes are found all over the globe, often in areas where Earth's tectonic plates meet. Here are some examples of volcanic activity in different regions:

South America's Volcanic Belt

The Andes Mountains along the western coast of South America are home to many active volcanoes. These volcanoes form because the Nazca Plate is sliding beneath the South American Plate. Countries like Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru have many stratovolcanoes.

In Chile, the Chaitén volcano had a notable eruption in 2008.

The venting lava dome taken in 2008 during Chaiten's eruption.

Ecuador is home to the Galápagos Islands, which are formed by shield volcanoes like Volcán Wolf and Sierra Negra (Galápagos).
Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica is a well-known stratovolcano.

Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

European Volcanoes

Italy is famous for its active volcanoes.

Mount Etna on Sicily is one of the most active volcanoes in the world.

Mount Etna in Italy

Stromboli is another active volcano in the Mediterranean Sea, known for its frequent, small eruptions.

Aerial image of Stromboli (view from the northeast)

The Campi Flegrei is a large caldera near Naples, Italy.
Greece also has active volcanic areas, such as the Santorini caldera.

Iceland: Land of Fire and Ice

Iceland is a country built by volcanic activity. It sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where tectonic plates are pulling apart. This causes frequent eruptions.