FAQ

How many active volcanoes are there?

Approximately 1,500 volcanoes have erupted in the last 10,000 years. About 50-70 erupt each year. At any given time, about 20 are actively erupting.

What is the Ring of Fire?

The Pacific Ring of Fire is a 40,000 km horseshoe-shaped zone around the Pacific Ocean where about 75% of the worlds volcanoes are located and 90% of earthquakes occur.

Can we predict volcanic eruptions?

Modern monitoring can often detect precursory signs days to weeks in advance, but some eruptions still occur without warning. The 2019 White Island eruption had no meaningful precursors.

What is a supervolcano?

A supervolcano produces eruptions of magnitude 8 on the Volcanic Explosivity Index, ejecting over 1,000 km3 of material. Yellowstone, Toba, and Campi Flegrei are examples.