Top 10 Most Dangerous Volcanoes to Visit

This volcano is located in Italy and is famous for its historic eruption in 79 AD that destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum. The volcano's cone shape is a result of its unique geological history, with the summit crater being formed by successive eruptions over millions of years. Mount Vesuvius has erupted at least 13 times since ancient times, with the most recent eruption occurring in 1944. The volcano is considered active and poses a threat to nearby cities due to its proximity to Naples. Its name was given by the Roman historian Pliny the Younger. As one of the most famous volcanoes in history, Mount Vesuvius has been extensively studied by geologists and historians.

This volcano is located on the Big Island of Hawaii, USA, and has been erupting continuously since 1983, making it one of the longest-erupting volcanoes on record. The Kilauea caldera is about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) wide and 200 meters (656 feet) deep. Kilauea is part of a larger volcanic system, with the volcano's summit being around 1,247 meters (4,091 feet) above sea level. The volcano has produced lava flows that have reshaped its landscape over centuries, creating new landforms such as the Kamokuna Volcano Island. The unique ecosystem surrounding Kilauea is home to a variety of endemic species found nowhere else in the world.

This volcano is located on Luzon, Philippines, and erupted in 1991 with a massive explosion that was heard over 600 miles (965 km) away. Mount Pinatubo's 4-kilometer-wide caldera was formed by a massive eruption around 500 years ago, which also caused widespread deforestation and soil erosion. The volcano's height of 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) above sea level creates a significant impact on the surrounding environment and climate. Mount Pinatubo is one of the most studied volcanoes globally due to its unique geological history. Its eruption had a significant global cooling effect in the following years.

This volcano is located on Ecuador's Rumiñas Province, South America, and stands at 5,897 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level, making it one of the most prominent volcanoes in the Andes mountain range. The volcano has a complex geological history with multiple eruptions occurring over millions of years. Cotopaxi is considered an active volcano due to ongoing seismic activity and periodic steam emissions. The nearby Quilotoa Lake was formed by volcanic activity, creating a striking example of a glacial lake caldera.

This volcano is located on the island of Kyushu, Japan, and erupted in 1991 with significant ash fall affecting Tokyo. The volcano's height of 2,181 meters (7,142 feet) above sea level has been shaped by numerous eruptions over tens of thousands of years. Mount Unzen is known for its unique stratovolcanic shape and explosive history, producing significant pyroclastic flows. Recent studies have revealed that the area surrounding the volcano is rich in geothermal activity.

This volcano is located near Mexico City, Mexico, and stands at 5,426 meters (17,800 feet) above sea level, offering stunning views of the capital city below. Popocatepetl has a long history of eruptions with notable events including its 2012 eruption that temporarily closed the city's international airport. The volcano features glaciers on its upper slopes due to its remote location at high altitude.

This volcano is located in Indonesia and stands at 2,804 meters (9,231 feet) above sea level, making it one of the highest active volcanoes in Java. Mount Merapi has a history of violent eruptions with numerous fatalities recorded over the years, earning its reputation as the most dangerous volcano in Indonesia. The volcano is characterized by its stratovolcanic shape, featuring multiple lava flows and cones surrounding its caldera.

This volcano is located near Kyushu Island, Japan, and has erupted nearly continuously for 3,500 years. The island itself was formed by volcanic activity and features a unique ring structure of volcanoes around the large caldera that sits beneath Sakurajima's cone-shaped summit. Its eruptions range from small strombolian explosions to massive pyroclastic flows.

This volcano is located in Washington State, USA, and infamously erupted on May 18, 1980, with a massive blast that caused widespread destruction and significant ash fall affecting the entire country. The volcano's landscape was drastically altered following the eruption, creating new landforms such as Spirit Lake. Mount St. Helens is considered one of the most geologically interesting volcanoes due to its recent history of activity.

This volcano is located in Democratic Republic of Congo and is known for its particularly fluid lava flow. The volcano stands at 3,470 meters (11,383 feet) above sea level, with a steep slope covered by dense volcanic ash that helps to conceal its summit crater. Its eruptions often result in pyroclastic flows, which can travel significant distances across flat terrain due to the low viscosity of the lava flow.