CATALYST PLANET - 7 Active Volcanoes To Visit…If You Dare

With a little careful planning, these seven active volcanoes are the perfect destination for the adventure seeker in you.

Mount Etna is an active volcano and popular tourist destination on the Italian island of Sicily. Gnuckx. CC0.

For nature lovers looking to spice up their next hike, journeying up an active volcano is the perfect activity. There are estimated to be approximately 1,350 active volcanoes around the world at this very moment, many of which boast beautiful views over their surrounding scenery and carry great historical and cultural significance to the communities located near them. From the coasts of New Zealand to the fjords of Iceland, here are seven picturesque active volcanoes that you can visit today.

Given the volatile nature of many of these active volcanoes, doing your research before heading out is vital to ensure that you are not at risk of getting caught in the midst of an eruption. While predicting the exact date and time of future eruptions is very much an imprecise science, all active volcanoes are regularly monitored by various organizations like the Smithsonian’s Global Volcanism Program and the U.S. Geological Survey’s Volcano Hazards Program. Along with regularly checking data published on these websites, make sure to research hiking trails and escape routes in case of an unforeseen eruption, as well as how to get in touch with local emergency search and rescue services.

1. Piton de la Fournaise - Réunion, France

The Piton de la Fournaise volcano is located on the French island of Réunion in the Indian Ocean. La Réunion. CC BY-NC 2.0.

Also known as the “Sacred Furnace”, Piton de la Fournaise is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, erupting almost once every nine months. The shield volcano is located on Réunion, a small French island in the Indian ocean known for its volcanic geography. At 2,631 meters tall (roughly 8,632 feet), the volcano has stood for approximately 500,000 years and was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2010. Despite last erupting in December of 2020, the volcano’s slopes are still lush with vegetation and are part of the Réunion National Park. Those hoping to visit the volcano are recommended to visit with a Mountain Guide who is familiar with the hiking trails and terrain.

2. Mount Aso - Kyushu, Japan

Mount Aso is the largest active volcano in Japan. Voyapon. CC BY-SA 2.0.

Mount Aso is the largest active volcano in Japan today at 1,592 meters (about 5,223 feet) above sea level and has a crater measuring 24 kilometers (about 15 miles) from north to south. This crater, the Nakadake Crater, can easily be reached by bus and offers a campground for visitors wanting to spend more time in the area. Located within the Aso-Kuju National Park, the volcano sits at the center of the island of Kyushu and last erupted in October of 2021. Visitors should check the status of the volcano before traveling there, as the crater and surrounding areas are sometimes closed to the public due to excessive emissions of volcanic gas.

3. White Island - Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

The volcano at White Island has been active for the past 150,000 years. Scientific American. CC-NC-ND 2.0.

Known in the local Maori language as “Whakaari”, the volcano at White Island can be found just 48 kilometers (roughly 30 miles) off the northern coast of New Zealand in the Bay of Plenty. The active stratovolcano received its name from Captain James Cook because of the constant plume of white steam escaping from the crater, which is above sea level despite the majority of the volcano sitting beneath it. The most recent eruption in December of 2019 resulted in 22 fatalities and many more injuries, resulting in the indefinite cancellation of all boat and hiking tours of the island. However, the entire volcanic complex can be explored from above by plane which allows visitors to see active lava flows and steam vents without needing to hike up the rocky cliffs.

4. Mount Stromboli - Aeolian Islands, Italy

Mount Stromboli is one of the three active volcanoes left in Italy. My Guide Sicily. CC BY-SA 2.0.

Like its more well-known counterpart Mount Etna, Mount Stromboli is one of the most active volcanoes on Earth and has been erupting regularly for the past 2,000 years. Located on Stromboli Island off the southern coast of Italy, the signature fountain-like jets of lava and molten rock that erupt from its crater have earned it the nickname of “Lighthouse of the Mediterranean”. The volcano’s most recent eruptive period took place in July of 2019 and, it was easily viewable to visitors who witnessed the river of glowing lava from the island’s many beaches or from nearby boats. Despite these regular eruptions, the island is inhabited by a few hundred people who have adapted their lifestyle around the incredibly active volcano in their midst.

5. Mount Bromo - East Java, Indonesia

Mount Bromo can be found amongst the Tengger mountains in East Java, Indonesia. TripSavvy. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

The volcano at Mount Bromo can be found within the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in the eastern half of the Indonesian island of Java. Last erupting in July of 2019, visitors are advised to monitor the current state of the volcano before planning a visit to ensure that it is safe to do so. The volcano is easily reachable by bus with the summit being a short hike up a paved stairway, a popular route for those looking to witness incredible views of the sun rising over the volcano. Mount Bromo’s mystical geography is the setting for many local myths and folktales, and is also the site of the local Kasada festival during which locals throw offerings to the Gods into the crater once a year.

6. Pacaya Volcano - Guatemala City, Guatemala

The Pacaya Volcano is situated just south of Guatemala City. Wild WeatherUS. CC BY-NC 2.0.

As one of the many volcanoes that make up the Central American Volcanic Arc, the Pacaya Volcano has been active since its first eruption over 23,000 years ago. Located just an hour and a half drive out of the Guatemalan capital, the most recent eruption in August of 2021 produced large clouds of ash that floated north over the city. Visitors can get up close and personal with the volcano via the many hiking trails that traverse the mountain, and can even purchase marshmallows to roast over the pools of molten lava from local food stands along the way. At 2,552 meters (about 8,373 feet) tall, hiking up the volcano can be quite strenuous, but visitors can also choose to make the journey by horse as well.

7. Katla - Iceland

Katla is one of Iceland’s most active volcanoes. The Sun. CC-BY-NC 2.0.

Located under Myrdalsjökull, the fourth largest ice cap in Iceland, the Katla volcano is situated in the middle of a stunningly diverse landscape. Set against a backdrop of rolling green hills, the area boasts both beaches of volcanic sand and icy blue caves. Katla is located on the southern coast of Iceland and got its name from a word derived from the old Norse word for “kettle”. It erupts once every half century on average, so given that it last erupted in 1918, scientists have warned that it is long overdue for its next one. Visitors can continue to see the volcano up close via pre-scheduled helicopter tours that can land right in the midst of the glacier or by a bumpy jeep ride to the top of the mountain.