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
The world's 'hidden' volcanoes pose the greatest risk for global crisis
A dormant volcano in Ethiopia erupted after 10,000 years of silence. This event shows how the world's little-known volcanoes pose the greatest threat.
Coconucos volcanic chain: Colombia's stunning cluster of volcanoes, lost in an otherworldly landscape
The Coconucos volcanic chain is a mountain ridge dotted with at least 14 volcano craters, including one that is active and erupted in December 2025.
Russia's Bezymianny volcano blew itself apart 69 years ago. It's now almost completely regrown.
A 1956 eruption collapsed much of the Bezymianny volcano in Kamchatka, Russia, but frequent eruptions since — including a large event in November — means it has now almost completely regrown.
'Like a sudden bomb': See photos from space of Ethiopian volcano erupting for first time in 12,000 years
Hayli Gubbi, a shield volcano in northern Ethiopia, erupted for several hours on the morning of Sunday, Nov. 23 — the first eruption since the start of the Holocene.
Eruptions of ocean volcanoes may be the echoes of ancient continental breakups
Waves in Earth's mantle created by the rifting of continents may peel the planet's crust from below, feeding volcanoes in the middle of the ocean.
Underwater volcano off Oregon coast likely won't erupt until mid-to-late 2026
Researchers thought that Axial Seamount might erupt in 2025, but recent data suggest the underwater volcano could take a bit longer to blow its top.
Extreme 'paradise' volcano in Costa Rica is like a piece of ancient Mars on our doorstep
Earth from space A 2025 satellite photo captures the stark contrast between the barren Poás volcano and the surrounding Costa Rican jungle. The volcano's super-acidic lake provides the perfect analog for studying how hardy microbes may have emerged on Mars billions of years ago.
Glowering 'skull' stares upward from a giant volcanic pit in the Sahara
Earth from space A 2023 astronaut photo shows off an unusual cranium-like structure appearing to stare up into space from the floor of a large volcanic caldera in Chad.
