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