From Iceland To Italy, These Are The Most Active Volcanoes In The World

The strong earthquake swarm that started this week near Grindavik on Iceland’s Reykjanes peninsula is caused by magma forming a dike – a vertical fissure-shaped intrusion at shallow depth, which allows the magma to rise and get closer to an eruption. This now threatens one of Iceland’s most important tourism regions and is home to the iconic Blue Lagoon Resort. Civil Protection just declared a Level Orange emergency, and residents of Grindavík were told to evacuate.

I was recently in Iceland and personally witnessed over 2,000 strong earthquakes during my visit, which resulted in roads being blocked by falling lava rock and massive cracks forming on the main highway. The famed Blue Lagoon Resort, where I was staying, had to close many of the lagoons to tourists to avoid possible rocks. Ultimately, the resort decided to close when guests began to flee following larger earthquakes.

In Italy, a “super volcano” is the most dangerous volcanic threat in the country. The area of Campi Flegrei is located under the bay of Naples and the islands of Capri and Ischia to the outskirts of the city of Naples. An estimated 3 million residents of Naples live immediately near the edge of the volcano zone, and evacuation routes are currently being planned in the area.

According to Volcano Discovery, “the famed Mt Etna volcano in Italy shows clear signs that it is no longer in a deep slumber and might wake up with a more aggressive phase of eruptions at any time. With occasional, mild strombolian explosions from the SE crater this week, indications are that magma inside remains high.”

They add, “In many cases, such activity has been prelude for violent lava-fountaining episodes known as paroxysms, such as last in August this year. The onset of these is usually characterized by increasing strombolian activity along with a rise in volcanic tremor, first increasing gradually over hours or days, then very sharply during few minutes until reaching impressive peaks of violent activity.”

Experts are now warning about other volcanoes around the world that are posing a significant threat and believe a warming planet due to human-induced climate change is likely to contribute to the rise of volcanoes erupting. There are currently 46 volcanoes in continuing eruption status as of 11 October 2023, according to Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program, “There are typically 40-50 continuing eruptions, and out of those generally around 20 will be actively erupting on any particular day.”

Among the most active areas in the world, Indonesia leads the pack with seven eruptions happening. Other high-activity areas include Russia, Papua New Guinea, Japan, and even the United States, which has two active volcanos.

The following are the most active and restless volcanoes in the world today, according to volcanologist Dr. Tom Pfeiffer at Volcano Study, including volcanoes we should watch out for.

ICELAND

*Reykjanes volcano (Grindivak, Iceland) *Eruption warning

Region of Grindivak near the major Reykjavik Airport is currently under an evacuation order. There are now three live streaming web cameras pointing to three potential eruption onset sites.

1. Svartsengi from Þorbirn – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSedx7dUVZI

2. Sylingarfell – South – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qvw5qh5K4wI

3. Sylingarfell – North – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgLe12KRLWw

EUROPE

Campi Flegrei (Naples, Italy) *unrest, new activity

This Phlegrean Fields volcano is located near Naples and under the islands of Capri and Ischia.

São Jorge volcano (Portugal) *unrest, new activity

Stromboli (Eolian Islands, Italy)

Etna (Sicily, Italy)

Mt. Michael (British Territory)

Africa

*Ol Doinyo Lengai volcano (Tanzania) *Eruption warning

Ol Doinyo Lengai, a cone with two craters is considered by the Massai people, to be the home of God, which is also the meaning of the name. When it erupts it has an unusual, cold liquid lava.

Karthala (Comores, Indian Ocean) *unrest, new activity

Barren Island (Indian Ocean) *unrest, new activity

Erta Ale (Danakil depression, Ethiopia)

Nyiragongo (Congo)

Indonesia

With more than 13,000 islands, Indonesia leads the world with the largest number of active volcanoes. The areas volcanoes have also produced the most fatalities.

*Karangatang (Indonesia) *Eruption warning

*Krakatau (Indonesia) *Eruption warning

Kerinci (Indonesia) *unrest, new activity

Inielika Volcano (Indonesia) *unrest, new activity

Sinabung (Sumatra, Indonesia)

Dukono (Halmahera, Indonesia)

Ibu (Halmahera, Indonesia)

Merapi (Central Java, Indonesia)

Semeru (East Java, Indonesia)

Lewotolo (Lesser Sunda Islands)

Mexico, Central America, Caribbean

*Rincón de la Vieja volcano (Costa Rica) *Eruption warning

The largest and most active volcano in Costa Rica. It last erupted in 2021.

Popocatépetl (Central Mexico)

Santiaguito (Guatemala)

Fuego (Guatemala)

Pacaya (Guatemala)

Soufrière St. Vincent (West Indies, St. Vincent)

Masaya (Nicaragua)

South America

*Ubinas Volcano (Peru) *Eruption warning

Laguna del Maule volcano (Central Chile) *Unrest

Puracé volcano (Colombia) *Unrest

Cerro Negro de Mayasquer volcano (Colombia) *Unrest

Reventador (Ecuador)

Sangay (Ecuador)

Sabancaya (Peru)

Nevados de Chillán (Central Chile)

Villarrica volcano (Central Chile)

Nevado del Ruiz volcano (Colombia)

Antarctica

Erebus (Antarctica)

Erebus is among the most inhospitable and remote location of any active volcano in the world. It is famous for its active boiling lava lake.

United States

*Great Sitkin volcano (Aleutian Islands) *Eruption warning

*Shishaldin volcano (Aleutian Islands) *Eruption warning

Kilauea (Hawai’i) *Unrest

Bogoslof volcano (Aleutian Islands) *Unrest

Trident Volcano (Alaska) *Unrest

Russia

*Klyuchevskoy volcano (Kamchatkka) *eruption warning

Shiveluch (Kamchatka)

Ebeko (Paramushir Island, Kuril Islands)

Bezimianny (Central Kamchatka)

South Pacific

*Bagana Volcano (Papua New Guinea) *Eruption warning

Uluwan Volcano (Papua New Guinea) *unrest and new activity

Aoba Volcano (Vanuatu) *unrest and new activity

White Island (New Zealand) *unrest and new activity

Tofua Volcano (Tonga) *unrest and new activity

Yasur (Vanuatu)

Home Reef (Tonga)

Japan

*Suwanose Jima (Japan) *Eruption warning

Kirishima (Japan) *unrest and new activity

Aso Volcano (Japan) *unrest and new activity

Nishino-Shima (Japan) *unrest and new activity

Kikai (Japan) *unrest and new activity

Kuchinoerabu-jima (Japan) *unrest and new activity

Sakura-jima (Kyushu, Japan)

Iwu-jima (Bonin Islands, Japan)

Australia

Heard Volcano (Australia) *unrest and new activity

Philippines

Canlaon (Central Philippines) *unrest, new activity

Bulusan (Luzon Island) *unrest, new activity

Taal (Luzon Island)

Pinatubo (Luzon Island)

Mayon (Luzon Island)