Volcanoes are fascinating natural phenomena that can produce spectacular eruptions of lava, ash, and gas. But they can also pose serious hazards to people and property, especially when they erupt unexpectedly or frequently. In this article, we will explore some of the most active live volcanoes in the world that are likely to erupt within the next 10 years, based on their historical activity and current status.
Etna, Italy
Etna is the largest and most active volcano in Europe, located on the island of Sicily. It has been erupting almost continuously since 2022, producing lava flows, ash plumes, and explosive events. Etna has four summit craters and hundreds of vents and fissures on its flanks, making it unpredictable and dangerous. Etna is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist attraction.
Sangay, Ecuador
Sangay is a stratovolcano in the Andes of Ecuador, with a height of 5,230 meters. It has been erupting since 2019, generating frequent ash columns that reach up to 10 kilometers high and drift over nearby towns and cities. Sangay also produces pyroclastic flows, lahars, and lava flows that threaten the surrounding areas. Sangay is one of the most remote and inaccessible volcanoes in the world, making it difficult to monitor and study.
Kilauea, United States
Kilauea is a shield volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii, with a summit caldera and a rift zone that extends to the east and southwest. It is one of the most active volcanoes on Earth, having erupted almost continuously since 1983 until 2018, when a major eruption occurred that destroyed hundreds of homes and changed the landscape of the island. Kilauea resumed erupting in 2021, producing lava fountains and flows that filled its caldera lake and reached the ocean.
Merapi, Indonesia
Merapi is a steep-sided stratovolcano in Central Java, Indonesia, with a height of 2,968 meters. It is one of the most active and dangerous volcanoes in Indonesia, having erupted more than 80 times since 1548. Merapi is known for its explosive eruptions that produce pyroclastic flows, ash falls, and lahars that can affect millions of people living nearby. Merapi’s last major eruption occurred in 2020-2021, killing several people and displacing thousands more.
Stromboli, Italy
Stromboli is a small island volcano in the Tyrrhenian Sea, off the coast of Sicily. It is famous for its persistent explosive activity that has been ongoing for more than 2,000 years, earning it the nickname “the lighthouse of the Mediterranean”. Stromboli’s eruptions consist of mild to moderate bursts of lava bombs, ash, and gas that occur every few minutes to hours from its summit craters. Stromboli also occasionally produces larger eruptions that can generate lava flows and tsunamis.
