List of large volcanic eruptions

For a list of the largest recorded eruptions, see List of largest volcanic eruptions.

This is a sortable summary of the pages Timetable of major worldwide volcanic eruptions, List of Quaternary volcanic eruptions, and Large volume volcanic eruptions in the Basin and Range Province. Uncertainties as to dates and tephra volumes are not restated, and references are not repeated. Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) values for events in the Miocene epoch sometimes lack references. They are given as VEI-equivalent, as orientation of the erupted tephra volume.

Overview

VEI Caldera name Volcanic arc/belt,
subregion, or hotspot
Historical Date Geological Date in Ma BP Tephra or eruption name
6 Philippines Mount PinatuboLuzon Volcanic Arc1991-06-15 AD0.000023
5 United States Mount St. HelensCascade Volcanic Arc1980-05-18 AD0.000034
5 United States Ko'olau RangeHonolulu Volcanic Series8000 BC0.000035
6 United States NovaruptaAleutian Range1912-06-06 AD0.000112
6 Guatemala Santa MaríaCentral America Volcanic Arc1902-10-24 AD0.000112
5 New Zealand Mount TaraweraTaupo Volcanic Zone1886-06-10 AD0.000128
6 Indonesia KrakatoaSunda Arc1883-08-26 AD0.000131
7 Indonesia Krakatoa*Sunda Arc416 AD or 535 AD0.001596
0.001475
*Unconfirmed, has been implicated in the 416 or 535 ice core event.[1]
5 Nicaragua CosigüinaCentral America Volcanic Arc1835-01-20 AD0.000179
7 Indonesia Mount TamboraLesser Sunda Islands1815-04-10 AD0.000199
6? Source unknown Source unknown 1809 AD 0.000205 Undocumented 1809 eruption[2]
6 Iceland GrímsvötnIceland1783-85 AD0.000231Skaftáreldar at Laki
6 Papua New Guinea Long Island (Papua New Guinea)Bismarck Volcanic Arc1660 AD0.000354
6 Greece Kolumbo, SantoriniSouth Aegean Volcanic Arc1650-09-270.000364
6 Peru HuaynaputinaAndes, Central Volcanic Zone1600-02-19 AD0.000414
6 Papua New Guinea Billy MitchellBougainville & Solomon Is.1580 AD0.000434
6 Iceland BárðarbungaIceland1477 AD0.000541
6 Vanuatu KuwaeVanuatu1452-53 AD0.000562
6 Ecuador QuilotoaAndes, Northern Volcanic Zone1280 AD0.000734
7 Indonesia Mt.RinjaniLombok Island12580.000756May have triggered the Little Ice Age [3]
7 China/North Korea Baekdu MountainBalhae (China – North Korea border)969 AD0.001045Tianchi eruption
6 Iceland KatlaIceland934-940 AD0.000948Eldgjá eruption
6 Mexico CeborucoTrans-Mexican Volcanic Belt930 AD0.001084
6 Papua New Guinea DakatauaBismarck Volcanic Arc800 AD0.001214
6 Papua New Guinea PagoBismarck Volcanic Arc710 AD0.001304
6 United States Mount Churchilleastern Alaska, USA700 AD0.001314
6 Papua New Guinea Rabaul calderaBismarck Volcanic Arc540 AD0.001464
6 El Salvador Lake IlopangoCentral America Volcanic Arc450 AD0.001974
6 Russia KsudachKamchatka Peninsula240 AD0.001754
7 New Zealand Taupo VolcanoTaupo Volcanic Zone230 AD0.001794Hatepe eruption
5 Italy Mount VesuviusCampanian volcanic arc79 AD0.001923Pompeii eruption
6 United States Mount Churchilleastern Alaska, USA60 AD0.001954
6 Vanuatu AmbrymVanuatu50 AD0.001964
6 Nicaragua ApoyequeCentral America Volcanic Arc50 BC0.002064
6 United States Mount OkmokAleutian Islands100 BC0.002114
6 New Zealand Raoul IslandKermadec Islands250 BC0.002264
5 Canada Mount MeagerGaribaldi Volcanic Belt400 BC0.002414Bridge River Ash
5 New Zealand Mount TongariroTaupo Volcanic Zone550 BC0.002564
6 Philippines Mount PinatuboLuzon Volcanic Arc1050 BC0.003064
5 Russia AvachinskyKamchatka Peninsula1350 BC0.003364tephra layer IIAV3
6 Papua New Guinea PagoBismarck Volcanic Arc1370 BC0.003384
6 New Zealand Taupo VolcanoTaupo Volcanic Zone1460 BC0.003474
5 Russia AvachinskyKamchatka Peninsula1500 BC0.003514
7 Greece Youngest Caldera, SantoriniSouth Aegean Volcanic Arc1610 BC0.003624Minoan eruption
6 United States Mount AniakchakAleutian Range1645 BC0.003659
6 United States Mount VeniaminofAleutian Range1750 BC0.003764
6 United States Mount St. HelensCascade Volcanic Arc1860 BC0.003874
6 Chile Mount HudsonAndes, Southern Volcanic Zone1890 BC0.003904
6 United States Black PeakAleutian Range1900 BC0.003914
6 Papua New Guinea Long Island (Papua New Guinea)Bismarck Volcanic Arc2040 BC0.004054
6 Mount VesuviusCampanian volcanic arc2420 BC0.004434Avellino eruption
5 AvachinskyKamchatka Peninsula3200 BC0.005214tephra layer IAv20; AV3
6 Mount PinatuboLuzon Volcanic Arc3550 BC0.005564
6 Taal VolcanoLuzon Volcanic Arc3580 BC0.005594
5 Haroharo CalderaTaupo Volcanic Zone3580 BC0.005594
6 PagoBismarck Volcanic Arc4000 BC0.00614
6 Masaya VolcanoCentral America Volcanic Arc4050 BC0.006064
5 AvachinskyKamchatka Peninsula4340 BC0.006354tephra layer IAv12; AV4
7 Kikai CalderaRyukyu Islands4350 BC0.006364Akahoya eruption
6 Macauley IslandKermadec Islands4360 BC0.006374
6 Mount HudsonAndes, Southern Volcanic Zone4750 BC0.006764
6 Mount AniakchakAleutian Range5250 BC0.007264
6 Lake MashūJapan5550 BC0.007564
6 Tao-Rusyr CalderaKuril Islands5550 BC0.007564
5 Mayor Island/TuhuaTaupo Volcanic Zone5560 BC0.007574
7 Crater Lake
(as Mount Mazama)
Cascade Volcanic Arc5677 BC0.007691
6 KhangarKamchatka Peninsula5700 BC0.007714
6 Crater LakeCascade Volcanic Arc5900 BC0.007914
5 AvachinskyKamchatka Peninsula5980 BC0.007984tephra layer IAv1
6 MenengaiEast African Rift6050 BC0.008064
5 Haroharo CalderaTaupo Volcanic Zone6060 BC0.008074
6 SakurajimaJapan6200 BC0.008214
7 Kurile LakeKamchatka Peninsula6440 BC0.008454Ilinsky eruption
6 Karymsky (volcano)Kamchatka Peninsula6600 BC0.008615
6 Mount VesuviusCampanian volcanic arc6940 BC0.008954Mercato eruption
6 Fisher CalderaAleutian Islands7420 BC0.009435
6 Mount PinatuboLuzon Volcanic Arc7460 BC0.009474
6 Lvinaya PastKuril Islands7480 BC0.009480
5 Rotoma CalderaTaupo Volcanic Zone7560 BC0.009560
5 Taupo VolcanoTaupo Volcanic Zone8130 BC0.010130
6 GrímsvötnIceland8230 BC0.01023
6 UlleungdoSouth Korea8750 BC0.01075
5 Mount TongariroTaupo Volcanic Zone9450 BC0.01145
5 Taupo VolcanoTaupo Volcanic Zone9460 BC0.01146
5 Mount TongariroTaupo Volcanic Zone9650 BC0.011660
6 Nevado de TolucaTrans-Mexican Volcanic Belt 0.0105 MaUpper Toluca Pumice
6 Laacher SeeEifel hotspot 0.0129 Ma
5 Mount VesuviusCampanian volcanic arc 0.016 MaGreen Pumice
6 Emmons Lake calderaAleutian Range 0.017 Ma
6 Mount VesuviusCampanian volcanic arc 0.018.3 MaBasal Pumice
? Cape Riva Caldera, SantoriniSouth Aegean Volcanic Arc0.021 Ma
7 Aira CalderaJapan 0.022 Ma
8 Taupo VolcanoTaupo Volcanic Zone 0.0245 MaOruanui eruption
? Laguna CalderaLuzon Volcanic Arc 0.027-29 Ma
? MenengaiEast African Rift 0.029 Ma
6 Morne DiablotinsLesser Antilles island arc 0.030 Ma Grand Savanne Ignimbrite
7 Campi FlegreiCampanian volcanic arc 0.037 Ma Campanian Ignimbrite
5 Campi FlegreiCampanian volcanic arc0.03928 Ma Campanian Tuff
5 GalerasAndes, Northern Volcanic Zone0.040 Ma
7 Kurile LakeKamchatka Peninsula0.0415 MaGolygin eruption
7 Okataina Volcanic ComplexTaupo Volcanic Zone0.050 Ma Rotoiti Ignimbrite
7 Maninjau CalderaSunda Arc 0.052 Ma
? Skaros Caldera, SantoriniSouth Aegean Volcanic Arc 0.070 Ma
8 Lake Toba CalderaSunda Arc 0.073 Ma Youngest Toba Tuff
7 Lago de AtitlánCentral America Volcanic Arc 0.084 Ma Los Chocoyos eruption
7 Mount AsoJapan 0.090 Ma
6 Sierra La PrimaveraTrans-Mexican Volcanic Belt 0.095 MaTala Tuff
6 Mount AsoJapan 0.120 Ma
? Yellowstone CalderaYellowstone hotspot 0.070-150 Ma magmatic
6 Mount AsoJapan 0.140 Ma
5 GalerasAndes, Northern Volcanic Zone 0.150 Ma
6 Kos-Nisyros CalderaSouth Aegean Volcanic Arc 0.161 MaKos Plateau Tuff
? Southern Caldera, SantoriniSouth Aegean Volcanic Arc 0.18 Ma
7 Rotorua CalderaTaupo Volcanic Zone 0.22 Ma
7 Maroa CalderaTaupo Volcanic Zone 0.23 Ma
7 Reporoa CalderaTaupo Volcanic Zone 0.23 Ma
6 Emmons Lake calderaAleutian Range 0.233 Ma
8 Whakamaru CalderaTaupo Volcanic Zone 0.254 Ma Whakamaru Ignimbrite
6 Mount AsoJapan 0.270 Ma
7 Haroharo CalderaTaupo Volcanic Zone 0.28 Ma Matahina Ignimbrite
6 Uzon-Geyzernaya calderasKamchatka Peninsula 0.28 Ma
6 Roccamonfina CalderaCampania, Italy 0.385 Ma
7 Diamante CalderaAndes, Southern Volcanic Zone 0.45 Ma
? Toba CalderaSunda Arc 0.501 Ma Middle Toba Tuff
6 GalerasAndes, Northern Volcanic Zone 0.56 Ma
8 Yellowstone CalderaYellowstone hotspot 0.64 Ma Lava Creek Tuff
7 Long Valley Calderaeastern California, USA 0.76 Ma Bishop Tuff
? Toba CalderaSunda Arc 0.84 Ma Oldest Toba Tuff
7 Mangakino CalderaTaupo Volcanic Zone 0.97 Ma Rocky Hill Ignimbrite
7 Mangakino CalderaTaupo Volcanic Zone 1.01 Ma Unit E
7 Valles CalderaNew Mexico, USA
(Raton hotspot)
1.15 Ma Upper Bandelier eruption
? Toba CalderaSunda Arc 1.2 Ma Haranggoal Dacite Tuff
7 Mangakino CalderaTaupo Volcanic Zone 1.23 Ma Ongatit Ignimbrite
7 Henry's Fork CalderaYellowstone hotspot 1.3 Ma Mesa Falls Tuff
? Valles CalderaNew Mexico, USA 1.47 Ma Lower Bandelier eruption
? Source unknownJapan 1.75 Ma Ebisutoge-Fukuda tephras
7 Lake AtitlánCentral America Volcanic Arc 1.8 Ma
8 Island Park CalderaYellowstone hotspot 2.1 Ma Huckleberry Ridge Tuff
8 Cerro GalánAndes, Central Volcanic Zone 2.2 Ma Cerro Galán Ignimbrite
7 Pastos Grandes CalderaAndes, Central Volcanic Zone 2.9 Ma Pastos Grandes Ignimbrite
8 Pacana CalderaAndes, Central Volcanic Zone 4 Ma Atana Ignimbrite
8 Heise volcanic fieldYellowstone hotspot 4.45 Ma Kilgore Tuff
? Heise volcanic fieldYellowstone hotspot 5.51 Ma Conant Creek Tuff
7 Cerro PanizosAndes, Central Volcanic Zone 6.1 Ma Panizos Ignimbrite
? Heise volcanic fieldYellowstone hotspot 6.27 Ma Walcott Tuff
8 Heise volcanic fieldYellowstone hotspot 6.62 Ma Blacktail Tuff
7 Black Mountain CalderaSouthwest Nevada volcanic field 7 Ma Thirsty Canyon Tuff
7 Pastos Grandes CalderaAndes, Central Volcanic Zone 8.3 Ma Sifon Ignimbrite
? Twin Falls volcanic fieldYellowstone hotspot 8.6 to 10 Ma
? Picabo volcanic fieldYellowstone hotspot 10.09 and 10.21 Ma Arbon Valley Tuffs
8 Bruneau-Jarbidge calderaYellowstone hotspot 10.0 to 12.5 Ma Ashfall Fossil Beds eruption
7 Timber Mountain caldera complexSouthwest Nevada volcanic field 11.45 Ma Timber Mountain Tuff - Ammonia Tanks member
8 Timber Mountain caldera complexSouthwest Nevada volcanic field 11.6 Ma Timber Mountain Tuff - Rainer Mesa member
8 Paintbrush Caldera Southwest Nevada volcanic field 12.7 Ma Paintbrush Tuff - Topopah Spring member
8 Paintbrush Caldera Southwest Nevada volcanic field 12.8 Ma Paintbrush Tuff - Tiva Canyon member
7 Silent Canyon caldera complexSouthwest Nevada volcanic field 13 Ma Belted Range Tuff
7 Crater Flat GroupSouthwest Nevada volcanic field 13.25 Ma Crater Flat Tuff, Bullfrog member
? Owyhee-Humboldt volcanic fieldYellowstone hotspot 12.8 to 13.9 Ma
6 Campi FlegreiCampanian volcanic arc 14.9 Ma Neapolitan Yellow Tuff
8 Source unknownAndes, Central Volcanic Zone 15 Ma Huaylillas Ignimbrite
7 McDermitt volcanic field, NorthYellowstone hotspot 15 Ma Whitehorse Creek Tuff
? Lake Owyhee volcanic fieldYellowstone hotspot? 15 to 15.5 Ma
7 McDermitt volcanic field, SouthYellowstone hotspot 15.6 Ma Longridge Tuff member 2-3
7 McDermitt volcanic field, SouthYellowstone hotspot 15.6 Ma Longridge Tuff member 5
7 McDermitt volcanic field, SouthYellowstone hotspot 15.7 Ma Double H Tuff
7 McDermitt volcanic field, NorthYellowstone hotspot 15.8 Ma Trout Creek Mountains Tuff
? McDermitt volcanic field, SouthYellowstone hotspot 16 Ma Hoppin Peaks Tuff
7 McDermitt volcanic field, SouthYellowstone hotspot 16.548 Ma Oregon Canyon Tuff
? Northwest Nevada volcanic fieldYellowstone hotspot? 15.5 to 16.5 Ma
? Columbia River Basalt GroupYellowstone hotspot 17 Ma
? Source unknownAndes, Central Volcanic Zone 19 Ma Oxaya Ignimbrites
7 Mount Belknap Caldera Marysvale volcanic field 19 Ma Joe Lott member
7 Monroe Peak Caldera Marysvale volcanic field 23 Ma Osiris Tuff
8 La Garita CalderaSan Juan volcanic field 27.8 Ma Fish Canyon Tuff
7 Bennett Lake Volcanic ComplexSkukum Group 50 Ma

Further reading

References

  1. How the Earth Was Made "Krakatoa" and How the Earth Works "Can Krakatoa Stop Time"
  2. "Undocumented volcano contributed to extremely cold decade from 1810-1819". Sciencedaily.com. 2009-12-07. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  3. http://www.wired.com/2013/09/samalas-in-indonesia-identified-source-of-the-1258-a-d-missing-eruption/