List of volcanic eruptions by death toll

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Volcanic eruptions can be highly explosive. Some volcanoes have undergone catastrophic eruptions, killing large numbers of humans or other life forms. This list documents volcanic eruptions by human death toll.

Contents

Volcanic eruptions

Human death tollVolcano VEI LocationYearEruptionSource(s)
71,000 to 250,100+ Mount Tambora 7 Indonesia 1815 1815 eruption of Mount Tambora, Year Without a Summer
36,000+ Krakatoa 6 Indonesia 1883 1883 eruption of Krakatoa
30,000 Mount Pelée 4 Martinique 1902 1902 eruption of Mount Pelée
23,000 Nevado del Ruiz 3 Colombia 1985 Armero tragedy
20,000~ (estimated) Santorini 7 Greece c. 1600 BC Minoan eruption
15,000 to 20,000 Mount Samalas 7 Indonesia 1257 1257 Samalas eruption
15,000 Mount Unzen 2 Japan 1792 1792 Unzen earthquake and tsunami
13,000+ (estimated) Mount Vesuvius 5 Italy 79 Eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD
10,000+ Laki and Grímsvötn 4 Iceland 1783 Laki#1783 eruption [1]
10,000 Kelud 5 Indonesia 1586 [2]
6,000 Santa María 6 Guatemala 1902 [3]
5,160 Kelud 4 Indonesia 1919 [2]
4,011 Mount Galunggung 5 Indonesia 1822 [4]
3,360 Mount Vesuvius 5 Italy 1631 1631 eruption of Mount Vesuvius
3,000 Ritter Island 2 Papua New Guinea 1888 1888 Ritter Island eruption and tsunami
2,957 Mount Papandayan 3 Indonesia 1772 [5]
2,942 Mount Lamington 4 Papua New Guinea 1951 1951 eruption of Mount Lamington
2,806 Mount Awu 3 Indonesia 1856 [6]
2,033 Oshima Oshima 4 Japan 1741 1741 eruption of Oshima–Ōshima and the Kampo tsunami
2,000 Tseax Cone  ? Canada c.1700 [7] [8]
1,900 El Chichón 5 Mexico 1982 [9]
1,700 Soufrière 4 St. Vincent 1902 [10]
1,584 Mount Agung 5 Indonesia 1963
1,532 Mount Awu 3 Indonesia 1892 [6]
1,500 Huaynaputina 6 Peru 1600 [11] [12]
1,369 Mount Merapi 3 Indonesia 1930 [13]
1,335 Taal 3 Philippines 1911 [14]
1,300 Gamalama 3 Indonesia 1775 [15]
1,200 Mount Mayon 4 Philippines 1814 [16]
1,151 Mount Asama 4 Japan 1783 Tenmei eruption
1,000 Nevado del Ruiz 3 Colombia 1845 [17]
847 Mount Pinatubo 6 Philippines 1991 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo
700 Hokkaido Komagatake 5 Japan 1640 [18]
600 Nevado del Ruiz 4 Colombia 1595 [17]
507 Tavurvur 4 Papua New Guinea 1937 [19]
500 Hibok-Hibok 3 Philippines 1951 [20] [21]
477 Mount Bandai 4 Japan 1888 1888 eruption of Mount Bandai
426 Anak Krakatoa 3 Indonesia 2018 2018 Sunda Strait tsunami
416 Ruang 2 Indonesia 1871 1871 Ruang eruption and tsunami
400+ Kilauea 4 Hawaii, United States 1790 Keanakakoi eruption
350 to 400 Mount Mayon 4 Philippines 1897 [22]
353 Mount Merapi 4 Indonesia 2010 2010 eruptions of Mount Merapi
340 Cotopaxi 4 Ecuador 1877 [23]
326 Makian 4 Indonesia 1861 [6]
245 Nyiragongo 1 Democratic Republic of the Congo 2002
216 Mount Vesuvius 4 Italy 1906 [24]
190 to 2,900 Volcán de Fuego 3 Guatemala 2018 2018 Volcán de Fuego eruption [25]
160+ Paluweh 3 Indonesia 1928 [26]
151 Mount Ruapehu  ? New Zealand 1953 Tangiwai disaster
150 Tori-shima 3 Japan 1902 [27]
149 Dieng Volcanic Complex 1 Indonesia 1979 1979 eruption of Sinila crater [28]
144 Mount Tokachi 3 Japan 1926 [29] [ better source needed ]
117 Dieng Volcanic Complex 2 Indonesia 1944 [30]
114 Dieng Volcanic Complex 1 Indonesia 1964 [30]
108 to 120 Mount Tarawera 5 New Zealand 1886 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera
106 Dubbi 3 Eritrea 1861 [6]
87 Volcán Arenal 3 Costa Rica 1968 [31]
80 Mount Marapi 2 Indonesia 1979 1979 eruption of Mount Marapi [32]
79 Mount Mayon 2 Philippines 1993 [16]
70 Nyiragongo 1 Democratic Republic of the Congo 1977 [33]
70~ Kolumbo 4 Greece 1650 [34]
69 Semeru 4 Indonesia 2021 2021 Semeru eruption
64 Mount Merapi 2 Indonesia 1994 [35]
63 Mount Ontake 3 Japan 2014 2014 Mount Ontake eruption
58 Sakurajima 4 Japan 1914 [36]
57 Mount St. Helens 5 United States 1980 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens
56 Mount Etna 2 Italy 1843 [6]
56 La Soufrière 4 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1812 [37]
50 Mount Usu 4 Japan 1822 [38]
43 Mount Unzen 1 Japan 1991 [39]
40 Dieng Volcanic Complex 2 Indonesia 1928 [30]
39 Taal 4 Philippines 2020 2020–2022 Taal Volcano eruptions
38 Dieng Volcanic Complex 2 Indonesia 1786 [30]
32 Mount Nyiragongo 1 Democratic Republic of the Congo 2021 2021 Mount Nyiragongo eruption
32 Kelud 4 Indonesia 1990 [40]
31 Bayonnaise Rocks 2 Japan 1952 [41]
31 Nabro Volcano 4 Eritrea 2011 2011 Nabro eruption
30 Rinjani 3 Indonesia 1994 [42]
27 Mount Vesuvius 3 Italy 1944 [6]
25 Villarrica 2 Chile 1964 [43]
24 Monte Nuovo (Phlegraean Fields)3 Italy 1538 [44]
23 Villarrica 3 Chile 1948 [45]
23 Mount Marapi  ? Indonesia 2023 2023 eruption of Mount Marapi
22 Whakaari/White Island 2 New Zealand 2019 2019 Whakaari / White Island eruption
19 Soufrière Hills 3 Montserrat 1997 [46]
18 Galunggung 4 Indonesia 1982
16 Sinabung 4 Indonesia 2014 [47]
15 to 30 Villarrica 2 Chile 1971 [48]
15 Raikoke 4 Russia 1778 [49]
10 Dieng Volcanic Complex 1 Indonesia 1939 [30]
10 Whakaari/White Island  ? New Zealand 1914
9 Galeras 2 Colombia 1993 Galeras tragedy
9 Mount Etna 3 Italy 1979 [50]
8 Dieng Volcanic Complex 1 Indonesia 2017 [51]
8 Kuchinoerabu-jima 4 Japan 1933 [52]
7 Kelud 4 Indonesia 2014 [53]
7 Jabal al-Tair 3 Yemen 2007 [54]
6 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai 5 Tonga 2022 2021–22 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai eruption and tsunami
6 Karangetang 2 Indonesia 1992 [55]
5 Mount Tavurvur 4 Papua New Guinea 1994 [56]
5 Mount Hudson 3 Chile 1971 [57]
4 Gamalama 2 Indonesia 2011 [58]
4 Yakedake 1 Japan 1995 [59]
4 Stromboli 2 Italy 1930 [60]
3 Pacaya 3 Guatemala 2010 [61]
3 Kanlaon 2 Philippines 1996 [62]
3 Didicas 2 Philippines 1969 [63]
2 Santa Ana 3 El Salvador 2005 [64]
2 Mount Bromo 2 Indonesia 2004 [65]
1 Popocatépetl 2 Mexico 2022 [66]
1 Cumbre Vieja 3 Spain 2021 2021 Cumbre Vieja volcanic eruption
1 Stromboli 2 Italy 2019 [67]
1 Chaitén 4 Chile 2008 [68]
1 Raoul Island 1 New Zealand 2006 [69]
1 Eldfell 3 Iceland 1973 [70] [71] [72]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Popocatépetl</span> Stratovolcano in Puebla, Mexico

Popocatépetl is an active stratovolcano located in the states of Puebla, Morelos, and Mexico in central Mexico. It lies in the eastern half of the Trans-Mexican volcanic belt. At 5,393 m (17,694 ft) it is the second highest peak in Mexico, after Citlaltépetl at 5,636 m (18,491 ft).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Novarupta</span> Volcano in Katmai National Park, Alaska, US

Novarupta is a volcano that was formed in 1912, located on the Alaska Peninsula on a slope of Trident Volcano in Katmai National Park and Preserve, about 290 miles (470 km) southwest of Anchorage. Formed during the largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century, Novarupta released 30 times the volume of magma of the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soufrière Hills</span> Volcano on Montserrat in the Caribbean

The Soufrière Hills are an active, complex stratovolcano with many lava domes forming its summit on the Caribbean island of Montserrat. After a long period of dormancy, the Soufrière Hills volcano became active in 1995 and has continued to erupt ever since. Its eruptions have rendered more than half of Montserrat uninhabitable, destroying the capital city, Plymouth, and causing widespread evacuations: about two-thirds of the population have left the island. Chances Peak in the Soufrière Hills was the highest summit on Montserrat until the mid-1990s, but it has since been eclipsed by various rising and falling volcanic domes during the recent volcanic activity.

The Decade Volcanoes are 16 volcanoes identified by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior (IAVCEI) as being worthy of particular study in light of their history of large, destructive eruptions and proximity to densely populated areas. The Decade Volcanoes project encourages studies and public-awareness activities at these volcanoes, with the aim of achieving a better understanding of the volcanoes and the dangers they present, and thus being able to reduce the severity of natural disasters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anak Krakatoa</span> Volcanic island in the Sunda Strait

Anak Krakatoa is a volcanic island in Indonesia. On 29 December 1927, Anak Krakatoa first emerged from the caldera formed in 1883 by the explosive volcanic eruption that destroyed the island of Krakatoa. There has been sporadic eruptive activity at the site since the late 20th century, culminating with a large underwater collapse of the volcano that caused a deadly tsunami in December 2018. There has been subsequent activity since. Due to its young age, the island is one of several in the area that are of interest to, and the subject of extensive study by, volcanologists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Semeru</span> Stratovolcano in Indonesia

The Semeru, or Mount Semeru ) is an active volcano located in East Java, Indonesia. It is located in a subduction zone, where the Indo-Australian plate subducts under the Eurasia plate. It is the highest mountain on the island of Java. The name "Semeru" is derived from Meru, the central world mountain in Hinduism, or Sumeru, the abode of gods. This stratovolcano is Mahameru, meaning "The Great Mountain" in Sanskrit. It is one of the more popular hiking destinations in Indonesia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Murara</span> Small, short-lived secondary crater of volcano Nyamuragira

Murara was a small, short-lived, cinder cone on the flank of Mount Nyamuragira, that began erupting on December 23, 1976. It is located about twelve kilometers south-southwest of the main crater of Nyamuragira. On 18 January 1977, the height of the cone was measured as 150 metres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Marapi</span> Active volcano in West Sumatra, Indonesia

The Marapi, or Mount Marapi, is a complex volcano in West Sumatra, Indonesia, and is the most active volcano in Sumatra. Like that of its quasi-homonym on Java, its name means "Mountain of Fire". Its elevation is 2,885 metres (9,465.2 ft). Several cities and towns are situated around the mountain including Bukittinggi, Padang Panjang, and Batusangkar. The volcano is also popular among hikers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lava lake</span> Molten lava contained in a volcanic crater

Lava lakes are large volumes of molten lava, usually basaltic, contained in a volcanic vent, crater, or broad depression. The term is used to describe both lava lakes that are wholly or partly molten and those that are solidified.

Tolmachev Dol is a volcanic highland located in the southern part of Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia, northeast of Opala volcano. The cones and lava fields cover a broad area around Lake Tolmachev.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yate (volcano)</span> Mountain in Chile

Yate Volcano is a large, glaciated stratovolcano located in the southern Andes, in the Los Lagos Region of Chile, south of the Reloncaví Estuary. Yate lies on the major regional Liquiñe-Ofqui Fault Zone, and is located 10 km north-east of the smaller Hornopiren volcano. The last known eruption occurred in 1090 CE. There are no historical records of recent volcanic activity, but there is strategic evidence of smaller eruptions sometime in the Holocene. The volcano is named after Juan Yates, also known as John Yates, a settler of Puerto Americano who played a significant role in the exploration and colonisation of Patagonia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Types of volcanic eruptions</span> Overview of different types of volcanic eruptions

Several types of volcanic eruptions—during which material is expelled from a volcanic vent or fissure—have been distinguished by volcanologists. These are often named after famous volcanoes where that type of behavior has been observed. Some volcanoes may exhibit only one characteristic type of eruption during a period of activity, while others may display an entire sequence of types all in one eruptive series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yanteles</span> Mountain in Chile

Yanteles is an isolated stratovolcano composed of five glacier-capped peaks along an 8 km-long NE-trending ridge. It is located approximately 30 km (19 mi) south of the Corcovado volcano in the Chilean X Region within the Corcovado National Park. The name Yanteles can refer only to the main summit, which is also known as Volcán Nevado.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Global Volcanism Program</span> American research program

The Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program (GVP) documents Earth's volcanoes and their eruptive history over the past 10,000 years. The mission of the GVP is to document, understand, and disseminate information about global volcanic activity.

Øystein Lund Andersen is a Norwegian photographer and writer.

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