The U.S. Geological Survey defines a volcano as a vent in Earth's surface, either on land or on the seafloor, from which molten rock called magma, as well as ash and gases, can erupt or ooze. Different types of volcanoes erupt in different ways, with some erupting spectacularly and others, most notably Hawaii's shield volcanoes, steadily oozing lava. There are different types of volcanoes, including stratovolcanoes, shield volcanoes and cinder cones, and different types of lava and other volcanic flows. Volcanoes can be active, dormant or extinct. Most of Earth's volcanoes are located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, where many of Earth's tectonic plates subduct beneath another plate. Currently volcanic eruptions cannot be predicted, though most of the big, active volcanoes are routinely monitored and authorizes warn when they think an eruption is likely. Read below for the latest news on volcano monitoring and research, current volcanic eruptions and to see amazing pictures of volcanoes.
Latest about Volcanos
Watch mesmerizing 1,000-foot-tall lava fountains: Kilauea volcano erupting in ways not seen for 40 years
The USGS has announced that Kilauea volcano is ejecting fountains of lava in a manner not seen since the Pu'u'ō'ō eruption in the 1980s. But while the lava is mesmerizing, officials warn that the volcano is also producing toxic gases and other hazards.
Quadruple volcanoes on secret Soviet military base linked to climate-altering eruption 200 years ago
Earth from space A 2024 satellite photo shows four end-to-end volcanoes perfectly spaced out along the Russian island of Simushir. One of these peaks was the site of a surprise eruption that temporarily cooled the Northern Hemisphere in 1831.
'River of fire' unleashes toxic gases as eruption destroys town in La Palma
Earth from space A 2021 satellite image shows destructive lava flows burning through a residential area in the Canary Islands as molten rock spilled into the sea and unleashed surprising levels of volcanic gas.
Heavy dusting of 'pineapple powder' paints Hawaii's volcanoes white after near-record snowfall
Earth from space A pair of 2021 satellite photos highlight an unusually heavy snowfall in Hawaii that covered the summits of the volcanoes Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea.
Mystery of Bolivian 'zombie' volcano finally solved
Uturuncu, a dormant volcano in Bolivia, appeared to be getting ready to erupt following earthquakes and "sombrero" shaped deformation — scientists have now worked out what's going on beneath the surface.
Pair of 'glowing' lava lakes spotted on Africa's most active volcanoes as they erupt simultaneously
Earth from space This false-color satellite photo from 2014 shows the immense heat emanating from lava lakes at the summits of a pair of simultaneously erupting volcanoes in Congo.
'It was amazing': Scientists discover ash from 2 mystery volcanic eruptions in Wyoming
Scientists have found previously undocumented ash deposits buried beneath the Lava Creek Tuff in Wyoming — and at least one of them could be from an unknown volcanic eruption, they say.
Lava bursts through Grindavík's defense barriers as new volcanic eruption begins on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula
