14 of the World’s Most Incredible Volcanoes
DESPITE being terrifying natural phenomena, volcanoes are also fascinating — we never know when the fiery power contained deep within the Earth will manifest itself, but we know the spectacle will be formidable. We selected some beautiful photographs of volcanoes from around the world that we hope will inspire you to go see them in person.
Ethiopia
Erta Ale Volcano
Erta Ale is a continuously active shield volcano. It last erupted in January 2017.
Photo: Indrik myneur
Guatemala
Volcán de Fuego
Volcán de Fuego is a highly active volcano. If you’re lucky, you can see its full fury.
Photo: Arthur Wei
Indonesia
Mount Sinabung
Mount Sinabung’s last eruption was in May 2016.
Photo: Yosh Ginsu
Photo: Yosh Ginsu
Democratic Republic of Congo
Nyiragongo Volcano
Nyiragongo Volcano contains the world’s most active and largest lava lake.
Photo: Cai Tjeenk Willink
Hawai’i
Kīlauea, The Big Island of Hawai’i
You can take boat tours to check out Kīlauea’s lava pouring into the Pacific Ocean up close.
Photo by Buzz Andersen
Photo by Mandy Beerley
Haleakalā, Māui
Haleakalā volcano is currently dormant, but the Haleakalā National Park on the Hawaiian island of Māui is still a great place to check out craters. Note: Once a volcano has been dormant for more than 10 000 years, it is termed extinct.
Photo by Jeff King
Ecuador
Tungurahua Volcano
Photo: Diariocritico de Venezuela
Iceland
Holuhraun Lava Field
Photo: Sparkle Motion
Eyjafjallajökull
Eyjafjallajökull’s eruption in the spring of 2010 threw volcanic ash several kilometers up in the atmosphere, which led to air travel disruption in Europe for several days.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Bolivia
Volcán Licancabur
Volcán Licancabur stands 19,400ft in southwestern Bolivia, fronted by the minerally colored Laguna Verde. It can be reached and climbed in conjunction with tours to the nearby Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat. Volcán Licancabur is dormant.
Photo: szeke
Italy
Mount Etna
Mount Etna is Europe’s largest active volcano.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Russia
Volcano Gorely
Volcano Gorely consists of five overlapping stratovolcanoes and is one of the most active in southern Kamchatka. It last erupted in June 2010.
Photo: Kuhnmi
Volcano Vilyuchinsky
Volcano Vilychinsky seen from volcano Gorely on a misty morning.
Photo: Kuhnmi
Papua New Guinea
Tavurvur Volcano
Tavurvur Volcano last erupted in 2010.
Photo: Taro Taylor