Active volcano Facts for Kids

An active volcano is a volcano that has erupted recently, is erupting right now, or could erupt again in the future. If a volcano hasn't erupted lately but might in the future, it's called a dormant volcano. Volcanoes that won't ever erupt again are known as extinct volcanoes. The "recently" part means anytime in the last 11,700 years!

World map of active volcanoes and plate boundaries

Kīlauea's lava entering the sea

Lava flows at Holuhraun, Iceland, September 2014

What is an Active Volcano?
Active Volcanoes by Country
- Costa Rica
- Iceland
- Italy
- Japan
- Mexico
- Philippines
- United States
  - Hawaii
  - Oregon
  - Washington
  - California
See also

What is an Active Volcano?

There are about 1,350 volcanoes around the world that could erupt. About 500 of these have erupted in recorded history. Many active volcanoes are found along the Pacific Rim. This area is also known as the Pacific Ring of Fire. It's estimated that 500 million people live close to active volcanoes.

When we talk about "historical time" for volcanoes, it means how far back people have written down records of eruptions. This time period is different for various parts of the world. For example, in China, records go back almost 3,000 years. But in places like Hawaii, records only go back about 200 years.

Where are Most Active Volcanoes?

The Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program keeps track of volcanoes. Here are the countries with the most volcanoes that have erupted in the last 11,700 years:

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

And here are the countries with the most volcanoes that have been active since 1960:

Indonesia: 55
Japan: 40
US: 39 (mostly in Hawaii, Alaska, and Pacific areas)
Russia: 27
Chile: 19

Earth's Most Active Volcanoes

As of 2013, some of Earth's busiest volcanoes include:

Kīlauea in Hawaii: This famous volcano had lava flowing almost non-stop from 1983 to 2018. It also had the longest-observed lava lake.
Mount Etna and nearby Stromboli: These are two active volcanoes in the Mediterranean.
Piton de la Fournaise: Located in Réunion, this volcano erupts often. It's even a popular tourist spot!

Some volcanoes have been erupting for a very long time, even if not continuously. As of 2010, these include:

Mount Yasur: 111 years
Mount Etna: 110 years
Stromboli: 108 years

Other highly active volcanoes around the world are:

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

Nyiragongo's lava lake

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

Active Volcanoes Near Cities

Some active volcanoes have many people living very close to them. For example, the Michoacan-Guanajuato volcano in Mexico and the Tatun Volcanic Group in Taiwan both have over 5 million people living within 5 kilometers (about 3 miles) of them.

Active Volcanoes by Country

Here are some examples of active volcanoes in different countries.

Costa Rica

Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

Costa Rica is home to several active volcanoes, many of which are stratovolcanoes. These are cone-shaped volcanoes built up by many layers of hardened lava and ash.