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
Kilauea volcano enters fourth eruption phase: Watch LIVE
Kilauea volcano in Hawaii is erupting with fountains of lava. Check out a USGS livestream from within the Halema'uma'u crater.
One of Iceland's largest volcanoes sees swarm of 130 earthquakes — could it be about to blow?
The Bárðarbunga volcano system was responsible for Iceland's largest eruption for 300 years back in 2014. After a recent increase in seismic activity, could it be about to erupt again?
Oregon Cascades hold vast underground water reserves
An enormous water reservoir — likely the largest aquifer of its kind in on Earth — sits inside the volcanic rocks of the Oregon Cascades, scientists have revealed.
We finally know where the Yellowstone volcano will erupt next
A detailed look at Yellowstone's magma storage system finds that only one region is likely to host liquid magma in the long term.
Mysterious climate-changing eruption that turned the sun blue traced to remote Pacific island
Zavaritskii volcano in the Kuril Islands was responsible for the mysterious 1831 volcanic eruption that cooled the climate and turned the sun different colors, a new study finds.
Undersea volcano off Oregon coast could erupt this year, geologists predict
Axial, an undersea volcano off the coast of Oregon is probably going to erupt in 2025.
'Lake of clouds' appears between volcanic nesting dolls in Russia via rare mirror-like phenomenon
Earth from space A 2023 astronaut photo captured a rare effect, known as sunglint, transforming the surface of one of Russia's deepest lakes into a sea of swirling clouds. The crater lake is sandwiched between a pair of unusual volcanic "nesting dolls" on a Pacific island.
Philippines volcanic eruption: Kanlaon volcano 'may progress to further explosive eruptions'
The Kanlaon volcano in the Philippines erupted today (Dec. 9) at 3:03 p.m. local time, spouting an eruption column of up to 1.86 miles (3 kilometers) into the sky and triggering the evacuation of 87,000 people.
