Most active volcanoes are located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region around the Pacific Ocean that experiences heavy seismic and volcanic activity. There are other active volcanoes in the mountain ranges of the Alps, the Andes and the Caucasus.
Volcanoes are in the news again today
A volcano erupted northeast of the Icelandic city of Grindavik, preceded by a series of earthquakes. The Icelandic Meteorological and Seismological Office (MET) has confirmed that the eruption occurred on Monday, December 18, approximately 4 km northeast of the town of Grindavik on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland.
“Our priority remains protecting lives and infrastructure. Civil defense has closed the affected area. Now we wait to see what the forces of nature have in store for us. We are prepared and remain vigilantIcelandic President Gudni Johannesson said on social media.
This new eruption has caused worldwide concern about volcanoes that could pose a threat to humanity, since the forces of nature cannot be stopped and it is necessary to monitor events, as in this case, in order to give an evacuation alarm signal if necessary.
But how many active volcanoes are there today?
It is difficult to predict when a volcano will erupt. Therefore, geologists constantly monitor volcanoes that are still active and at risk of eruption.
According to the Smithsonian/USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report, a total of 47 volcanoes are continuously erupting as of December 2023 (WVAR).
A rash marked as “continuous” does not always mean continuous daily activity, but rather indicates at least periodic rashes without interruption for 3 months or longer. Most of these active volcanoes are not currently erupting.
For example, the large earthquake swarm we observed near Grindavik in Iceland was caused by magma forming a dam: a vertical intrusion in the form of a shallow crack that allowed the magma to rise and move toward an eruption.
Why are so many volcanoes erupting today?
There is nothing unusual on our planet. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), there are approximately 1,359 active volcanoes worldwide, including approximately 170 in the United States or its territories.
Generally there are 40 to 50 continuous eruptions, usually around 20 eruptions are activated in a day.
The volcanoes active today are: the Marapi volcano in Indonesia, Aira in Kyushu, Japan, Popocatépetl in Mexico, the Lotus volcano in Japan, the Ulawun in Papua New Guinea, Shishaldin in the United States, the Ubinas volcano in Peru and Santa María in southwest Guatemala, Russia’s Klyuchevskoy volcano, Dukono in Halmahera, Indonesia, Japan’s Kikai, Italy’s Etna volcano, Russia’s Ebeko, Costa Rica’s Rincón de la Vieja, Mayon in Luzon, Philippines, Krakatoa volcano in Indonesia, Great Sitkin in the Andreanof Islands United States. Suwanosejima in Japan, Stromboli in Italy or the Kavachi volcano in the Solomon Islands.
Some of them have been in a state of continuous eruption for decades or even centuries. Stromboli in Italy, for example, has officially been erupting since February 1934, although it has been erupting almost continuously for 2,000 years.
The 10 most active volcanoes in the world are:
- Kilauea, Hawaii, United States
- Erta Ale, Ethiopia
- Sakurajima, Japan
- Etna, Italy
- Merapi, Indonesia
- Popocatepetl, Mexico
- Colima, Mexico
- Nyiragongo, Democratic Republic of Congo
- Santa Maria, Guatemala
- Karymsky, Russia
Europe’s active volcanoes
In addition to Iceland, places that geologists have focused on include Campi Flegrei (Naples, Italy), Etna (Sicily, Italy), Sao Jorge Volcano (Portugal), Stromboli (Aeolian Islands, Italy), and Mount Michael (British Territory) . ). With the exception of Campi Flegrei, Mount Etna and St. George, these are all active volcanoes.
Does climate change have an impact?
Experts warn that other volcanoes around the world pose a serious threat and suggest that warming planet due to human-caused climate change could contribute to an increase in the number of volcanic eruptions on Earth.
Around 1,350 volcanoes have been active in the last 12,000 years. Indonesia is currently the most active region in the world with seven outbreaks. Other regions with high activity include Russia, Papua New Guinea, Japan and even the United States.
Eruptions are more than a normal phenomenon: they are responsible for the shape of the Earth as we know it.
“More than 80 percent of the Earth’s surface (above and below sea level) is volcanic in origin,” explains the USGS. “Gaseous emissions from volcanic vents formed Earth’s first oceans and atmospheres over hundreds of millions of years, providing the vital ingredients for the development and maintenance of life.“.
References:
- USGS / Global Volcanism Program · Division of Mineral Sciences · National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian Institution 2023
With information from: