Volcanoes of the World — Interactive Eruption Map
This interactive 3D map displays over 1,200 volcanoes cataloged by the Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program. Each volcano marker reveals its type, elevation, eruption history, and Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) rating. Click on any volcano to explore its full geological summary and recorded eruptions.
Types of Volcanoes
- Stratovolcanoes — Also known as composite volcanoes, these are the classic cone-shaped mountains like Mount Fuji (Japan) and Mount Vesuvius (Italy). They are built from alternating layers of lava and volcanic ash.
- Shield Volcanoes — Broad, gently sloping volcanoes formed by highly fluid lava flows, such as Mauna Loa in Hawaii.
- Calderas — Large volcanic craters formed when a volcano collapses after a massive eruption, such as Yellowstone (USA) and Santorini (Greece).
- Submarine Volcanoes — Volcanoes that form on the ocean floor. Many are undetected until they erupt or create new islands.
Understanding the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI)
The VEI is a scale from 0 to 8 that measures how explosive a volcanic eruption is. A VEI 0 eruption is a gentle effusive flow, while a VEI 8 is a mega-colossal event that can affect global climate. The 1815 eruption of Mount Tambora (VEI 7) caused the "Year Without a Summer" in 1816.
The Ring of Fire
Over 75% of the world's active volcanoes are located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a 40,000-kilometer horseshoe-shaped zone of intense seismic and volcanic activity. This region spans from New Zealand, along the coast of Southeast Asia, across Japan, and down the western coast of the Americas.
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