This is a list of volcanic eruptions of the 20th Century measuring a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of at least 4, as well as notable smaller eruptions. Note that there may be many other eruptions that have not been identified, and estimates for the size of eruptions can be subject to considerable uncertainties.
| VEI | Volcano (eruption) | Year | Casualties | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4? | La Soufrière[1] | 1902 | 1,680 | |
| 4 | Mount Pelée[2] | 1902 | 33,000 | Deadliest eruption of the 20th century. |
| 6? | Santa María[3] | 1902 | 6,000 | |
| 4 | Grímsvötn[4] | 1903 | ||
| P | Mount Lolobau[5] | 1904 | ||
| 5 | Ksudach[6] | 1907 | ||
| 4 | Mount Lolobau[7] | 1911 | ||
| 6 | Novarupta[8] | 1912 | Largest eruption of the 20th century. | |
| 5 | Colima[9] | 1913 | ||
| 4 | Sakurajima[10] | 1914 | ||
| 4 | Tungurahua[11] | 1916 | ||
| 4 | Agrihan[12] | 1917 | ||
| 4+ | Katla[13] | 1918 | ||
| 4 | Kelud[14] | 1919 | 5000 | |
| 4 | Manam[15] | 1919 | ||
| 4 | Raikoke[16] | 1924 | ||
| 4? | Iriomotejima[17] | 1924 | Underwater volcano. | |
| 4 | Avachinsky[18] | 1926 | ||
| 4 | Komagatake[19] | 1929 | ||
| 4 | Kliuchevskoi[20] | 1931 | ||
| 4 | Mount Aniakchak[21] | 1931 | ||
| 4 | Volcan De Fuego[22] | 1932 | ||
| 5+ | Cerro Azul[23] | 1932 | ||
| 5 | Kharimkotan[24] | 1933 | ||
| 4 | Suoh[25] | 1933 | ||
| 4? | Kuchinoerabujima[26] | 1933 | ||
| 4? | Rabaul[27] | 1937 | ||
| 4 | Parícutin[28] | 1943–1952 | ||
| 4 | Avachinsky[29] | 1945 | ||
| 4 | Sarychev Peak[30] | 1946 | ||
| 4 | Hekla[31] | 1947 | ||
| 4+ | Ambrym[32] | 1950 | ||
| 4 | Mount Lamington[33] | 1951 | 2,942 | |
| 4 | Kelud[34] | 1951 | ||
| 4 | Bagana[35] | 1952 | ||
| 4 | Mount Spurr[36] | 1953 | ||
| 4 | Carran-Los Venados[37] | 1955 | ||
| 5 | Bezymianny[38] | 1955-1957 | ||
| 5 | Mount Agung[39] | 1963 | 1,584 | |
| 4+ | Shiveluch[40] | 1964 | ||
| 4 | Taal[41] | 1965 | ||
| 4 | Kelud[42] | 1966 | ||
| 4 | Mount Awu[43] | 1966 | ||
| 4 | Fernandina[44] | 1968 | ||
| 4 | Tiatia[45] | 1973 | ||
| 4 | Volcan De Fuego[46] | 1974 | ||
| 4 | Tolbachik[47] | 1975 | ||
| 4 | Mount Augustine[48] | 1976 | ||
| 5 | Mount St. Helens[49] | 1980 | 57 | Most deadly and economically destructive volcanic eruption in the history of the United States. |
| 4 | Alaid[50] | 1981 | ||
| 4 | Pagan[51] | 1981 | ||
| 5 | El Chichón[52] | 1982 | 3,500 | Ejected 7 million metric tons of sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere.[53] |
| 4 | Galunggung[54] | 1982 | Notable for bringing attention to the dangers of volcanic ash on aircraft after two Boeing 747 jets suffered engine failure from its ash cloud. | |
| 4 | Colo[55] | 1983 | ||
| 3 | Nevado del Ruiz | 1985 | 23,000 | Armero tragedy |
| 4 | Mount Augustine[56] | 1986 | ||
| 4 | Chikurachki[57] | 1986 | ||
| 4 | Kliuchevskoi[58] | 1987 | ||
| 3 | Mount Redoubt | 1989-1990 | Second costliest volcanic eruption in United States history. Caused engine failure of all four engines on KLM Flight 867 after it flew through the ash cloud. | |
| 4 | Kelud[59] | 1990 | ||
| 6 | Mount Pinatubo[60] | 1991 | 847 | Largest stratospheric disturbance since Krakatoa eruption in 1883, dropping global temperatures and increasing ozone depletion. |
| 5+ | Mount Hudson[61] | 1991 | ||
| 4 | Mount Spurr[62] | 1992 | ||
| 4 | Lascar[63] | 1993 | ||
| 4? | Rabaul[64] | 1994 |