List of 7 Most Active Volcanoes in the World 2025: Ranked

Active volcanoes in the World: Lately, people all over the world have been paying a lot of attention to active volcanoes because of a series of big eruptions. The Global Volcanism Program at the Smithsonian Institution says that there were 56 confirmed volcanic eruptions from 55 different volcanoes in 2025 alone.

As of July 17, 2025, 44 of those eruptions are still going on. This constant movement is a strong reminder of how dynamic the Earth is. For example, the news has recently talked about the eruption of a volcano in Iceland on July 16, 2025, and an explosion at Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki in Indonesia.

This article gives a credible look at the most active volcanoes in the world to explain their recent history and why they are watched so closely. 

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List of Most Active Volcanoes in the World

Here are seven of the most dynamic volcanoes on Earth, along with key information about their activity.

1. Kīlauea, USA

Kīlauea is arguably the most famous active volcano. Located on the Big Island of Hawaii, it's a shield volcano known for its frequent, non-explosive eruptions that produce slow-moving lava flows. The caldera at the top of the mountain, Halemaʻumaʻu, has been active all the time. The most recent eruption phase began in 2021. The Hawaiian word for the volcano means "spewing" or "much spreading," which is a good way to describe its flowing lava.

2. Mount Etna, Italy

Mount Etna is a huge volcano on the island of Sicily that is one of the most active stratovolcanoes in the world. There have been many eruptions over a long period of time, and the most recent ones have been happening almost all the time from the summit craters. Etna can erupt in two ways: effusively, with lava flows, or explosively, with ash columns and pyroclastic flows. Even though it's dangerous, the fertile volcanic soil on its slopes has been good for farming for hundreds of years.

3. Stromboli, Italy

Stromboli, which is called the "Lighthouse of the Mediterranean," has been erupting almost all the time for at least 2,000 years. This little volcano is on one of Italy's Aeolian Islands. It has small, bright explosions of lava and ash that happen often and can be seen from far away, which makes it a popular tourist spot. The volcano has a unique shape because it is always active, which has caused its cone to grow over time.

4. Piton de la Fournaise, Réunion Island

This shield volcano is one of the most active in the world. It is on the French island of Réunion in the Indian Ocean. Piton de la Fournaise, which means "Peak of the Furnace," erupts a lot, sometimes several times a year. Fortunately, these are usually effusive, and the lava flows that come from them don't usually hurt the people who live on the island. The Piton de la Fournaise Volcanological Observatory keeps a close eye on its activity.

5. Yasur, Vanuatu

Yasur is a stratovolcano on Tanna Island in Vanuatu, which is in the Pacific Ocean. Its glowing crater has made it a popular tourist spot. It has been erupting in a strombolian and vulcanian way for more than 800 years. People can often get close to the edge and see the amazing eruptions without any danger. The volcano's constant activity is a big part of the local culture and stories.

6. Mount Merapi, Indonesia

Mount Merapi means "mountain of fire." It is one of the most dangerous and active volcanoes on the planet. It is a stratovolcano that has erupted before and sent flows of hot ash that killed people. Because it is close to the busy city of Yogyakarta, the local government and people must always be on the lookout for its activity. The last big eruption of the volcano happened in 2010 and caused a lot of damage. Since then, it has been acting up a lot.

7. Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki, Indonesia

Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki, an Indonesian volcano, has been more active lately, which has forced thousands of people to leave nearby villages. It is a stratovolcano, which means it has eruptions that are very explosive and send up big clouds of ash. The recent eruptions show how unstable the "Ring of Fire" is and how important it is to keep an eye on it all the time.

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How Many Active Volcanoes are in the World at Present?

There isn't one simple answer to this common question. It depends on what you mean by active when you say how many volcanoes are currently active. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) says that there are about 1,350 volcanoes around the world that could erupt. But there are usually 40 to 50 volcanoes erupting at the same time. This number changes all the time because some volcanoes go quiet and others wake up. The Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program says that between 2010 and 2024, there is an average of 73 active volcanoes each year.

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There are a lot of volcanoes on Earth that are still active, and when they erupt, it's a powerful display of nature's power. From the famous lava flows of Kīlauea to the constant explosions of Stromboli, these natural forces shape our world. Scientists use modern technology to keep track of where they are, which gives us early warnings and helps us learn more about the strong and beautiful forces that are always at work just below our feet.