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
Eerily circular 'Goblin Forest' surrounds sacred volcano with human rights
Earth from space This 2023 satellite photo shows New Zealand's Mount Taranaki, which is surrounded by a near-perfect circle of deformed trees. The volcano was recently granted the same legal rights as a person.
Indonesia volcano eruption kills at least 10
An eruption of Indonesia's Lewotobi Laki-laki stratovolcano rained debris and ash on villages on the island of Flores.
How a catastrophic volcanic eruption on the North Korea border created 'Heaven Lake'
More than a thousand years ago, Heaven Lake flooded the surrounding area when the Changbaishan-Tianchi volcano, on the border between China and North Korea, erupted.
Mysterious 'blobs' in Earth's mantle are not what we thought, study claims
Lava that erupts from hotspots around the world seems to come from a similar ancestral magma, new research finds.
'Every volcano has its own personality': Mystery Mount Adams earthquake surge under investigation
Scientists are installing multiple temporary seismic monitoring stations to get a better understanding of the sharp increase in earthquakes recorded at Mount Adams.
Record spike in earthquakes at Washington's 'high threat' volcano sends researchers scrambling for answers
Six earthquakes were recorded at Mount Adams in September — the highest number in a single month since records began in 1982.
'Mountain of God' volcano in Tanzania is bulging, study finds
Satellite data suggest a volcano in Tanzania that expels extremely runny lava could be creeping toward an eruption.
Tonga eruption that poured 150 metric megatons of water vapor into the stratosphere affected the atmosphere for years
A new study builds on previous research into the underwater volcano's effects on the climate.
