Volcanoes are among Earth’s most dynamic and awe-inspiring natural phenomena.  Some volcanoes exhibit near-continuous activity, shaping landscapes and impacting human lives.  As of December 2024, here are the top 10 most active volcanoes, ranked by size:

#1: Mauna Loa – 13,681 feet

Mauna Loa, located on the Big Island of Hawaii, is the largest active volcano on Earth.  Its size is immense, covering approximately 5,271 square kilometers (2,035 square miles) and rising 13,681 feet above sea level.  Mauna Loa is a shield volcano, meaning it has broad, gently sloping sides formed by the eruption of low-viscosity lava.  This type of eruption allows the lava to travel long distances, which can create vast, flowing lava fields.  Mauna Loa has erupted 33 times since its first well-documented eruption in 1843.  The most recent eruption began in November 2022, lasting for several weeks.  Mauna Loa’s eruptions are typically not explosive, though the lava flows can be destructive and pose a serious threat to nearby communities.  Hilo, a city located on the island’s eastern side, is one of the main areas that may be impacted by its eruptions.  Despite the relatively peaceful nature of its eruptions, Mauna Loa is closely monitored by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) due to the risks it presents.

#2: Mount Etna – 10,922 feet

Mount Etna is Europe’s tallest and most active volcano, located on the eastern coast of Sicily, Italy.  It stands at 10,922 feet, although its height varies due to frequent eruptions and shifts in its structure.  Etna has a unique landscape shaped by multiple craters and fissures.  It has been in near-constant activity for centuries, with eruptions recorded since ancient times.  The volcano’s eruptions range from explosive to effusive, often accompanied by lava fountains and ash clouds.  In recent years, Mount Etna has produced significant eruptions, including the 2021 eruption that sent ash clouds high into the atmosphere, affecting nearby towns and disrupting air travel.  Mount Etna’s eruptions are monitored by the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV), which provides critical data to mitigate the risks to surrounding areas.  Its ongoing activity has shaped both the culture and geography of Sicily, with fertile soil from past eruptions supporting agriculture on the island.

#3: Mount Merapi – 9,737 feet

Mount Merapi, located in Central Java, Indonesia, is one of the country’s most active and dangerous volcanoes.  Standing at 9,737 feet, it is the highest peak in Java and has erupted regularly for centuries, with significant eruptions recorded since 1548.  Merapi’s eruptions are typically explosive, producing pyroclastic flows, lava domes, and ash clouds.  The most devastating eruption in recent history occurred in 2010, which resulted in over 300 fatalities and displaced thousands.  The eruption sent pyroclastic flows down the mountain’s slopes, devastating nearby villages.  Merapi’s activity is continuously monitored by the Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM), providing early warnings to reduce the risks to nearby populations.  Local communities living on the slopes of the volcano have adapted to the presence of this active volcano, with some even considering it a sacred site.

#4: Mount Popocatépetl – 17,797 feet

Mount Popocatépetl, located in central Mexico, is the country’s second-highest peak and one of its most active volcanoes.  Towering at 17,797 feet, Popocatépetl has had frequent eruptions, many of which have been explosive, sending ash and volcanic gases into the atmosphere.  The volcano has been in near-constant activity since 1994, with significant eruptions occurring in 2000 and 2019.  The 2019 eruption produced massive ash clouds that impacted air travel and forced evacuations.  Popocatépetl’s eruptions are closely monitored by the Mexican National Center for Disaster Prevention (CENAPRED) to provide timely alerts for nearby communities.  Popocatépetl holds cultural significance in Mexican mythology, often depicted as the smoking mountain, and continues to be a prominent feature in the country’s landscape.

#5: Mount Fuego – 12,346 feet

Mount Fuego, located in Guatemala, is one of Central America’s most active volcanoes.  It stands at 12,346 feet and is known for its frequent explosive eruptions, often producing ash clouds, pyroclastic flows, and lava fountains.  Since its major eruption in 2018, Mount Fuego has remained active, with eruptions continuing to pose a threat to nearby villages.  The 2018 eruption was particularly devastating, with pyroclastic flows that buried entire communities, resulting in over 100 fatalities.  The Guatemalan Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology, and Hydrology (INSIVUMEH) monitors Mount Fuego closely to provide alerts to local residents.  Despite its dangers, Fuego is a popular destination for tourists, offering spectacular views of its eruptions from a safe distance.

#6: Mount Sakurajima – 3,666 feet

Mount Sakurajima, located in Kagoshima Bay in southern Japan, is one of the country’s most active volcanoes.  It stands at 3,666 feet and has been erupting continuously since 1955.  The volcano is known for its frequent explosive eruptions, which often send ash plumes into the sky and occasionally produce lava flows.  The 2019 eruption of Sakurajima was one of the most significant in recent years, sending ash clouds as high as 16,000 feet and disrupting air travel.  The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) constantly monitors Sakurajima, providing real-time data to safeguard the nearby population.  Kagoshima City, which lies close to the volcano, has developed a culture of preparedness, with residents accustomed to occasional evacuations and other precautions.

#7: Mount Semeru – 12,060 feet

Mount Semeru, located in East Java, Indonesia, is the highest volcano in Java and one of the most active in the country.  Standing at 12,060 feet, it has erupted regularly for centuries, with some of the most recent eruptions in 2021 and 2022.  Semeru’s eruptions are often accompanied by lava flows, ash plumes, and pyroclastic flows, which pose significant threats to nearby villages.  The 2021 eruption resulted in the evacuation of thousands of people and widespread ashfall that affected air travel.  The Indonesian Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM) monitors the volcano’s activity to provide warnings and protect residents.  The landscape around Semeru is stunning, with fertile soil supporting agriculture, but its ongoing activity makes it a danger to local communities.

#8: Mount Yasur – 1,184 feet

Mount Yasur, located on Tanna Island in Vanuatu, is one of the world’s most accessible active volcanoes.  Standing at 1,184 feet, Yasur has been erupting continuously for over 800 years, and it remains an iconic destination for those seeking to witness volcanic activity firsthand.  The eruptions are typically Strombolian in style, with regular explosions producing bursts of lava and ash.  Yasur’s eruptions are not usually highly dangerous, but they can still pose risks to visitors who venture too close.  The volcano is considered sacred by the indigenous people of Tanna, and local legends describe Yasur as a powerful spirit.  Despite its relatively low height, Yasur remains one of the most active and visited volcanoes in the world.

#9: Mount Kilauea – 4,091 feet

Kilauea, another active volcano located on the Big Island of Hawaii, is famous for its frequent eruptions.  Standing at 4,091 feet, it has been erupting intermittently for centuries, with significant eruptions in recent years, such as in 2018.  Kilauea is part of the Hawaiian volcanic hotspot, and its eruptions are typically non-explosive, producing large lava flows that can travel great distances.  The 2018 eruption, which caused significant destruction to nearby towns, was particularly intense, with lava flowing into residential areas.  Kilauea’s eruptions are closely monitored by the USGS, which tracks the volcano’s activity through a network of instruments.  Its ongoing eruptions contribute to the growth of the island, and the surrounding area has become a major destination for tourists and scientists alike.

#10: Mount Rinjani – 12,224 feet

Mount Rinjani, located on the island of Lombok in Indonesia, is the second-highest volcano in the country.  Standing at 12,224 feet, Rinjani is an active stratovolcano, with eruptions that have been recorded for centuries.  The volcano’s most recent significant eruption occurred in 2016, when ash clouds disrupted air travel and caused temporary evacuations in nearby areas.  The volcano’s eruptions are often characterized by explosive activity, producing ash clouds and pyroclastic flows.  Rinjani is a popular destination for trekkers and climbers, who come to scale its summit and admire the stunning crater lake, Segara Anak.  Although beautiful, the volcano’s activity presents a constant risk to visitors, and the Indonesian authorities closely monitor its eruptions to ensure safety.

These ten volcanoes represent some of the most active and fascinating geologic features on Earth.  Each volcano is unique in its behavior, size, and historical impact.  By studying their eruptions, we continue to learn more about the power and unpredictability of our planet’s natural processes.