Volcanoes
Found at tectonic plate boundaries, volcanoes are fissures in the Earth’s crust from which lava and hot gases erupt, often dramatically. They are found all over the world, but are frequently found clustered in locations where plates converge or diverge, such as at the Pacific Ring of Fire. Volcanoes are classified as being active, dormant or extinct, depending on their frequency of eruptions. Volcanic eruptions often have devastating consequences, and can trigger earthquakes and tsunamis.
Earth's supervolcanoes are waking up. Here's what that means for the planet
Earth’s biggest and deadliest volcanoes are waking up. And they could deliver a colossal eruption at any moment.
Top 10 of the world's biggest (and deadliest) volcanic eruptions
Nothing is more terrifying than a huge volcanic eruption filling the sky.
Pompeii disaster survivors were killed by second mysterious force, study finds
People fleeing the deadly volcano were doomed from the start.
Volcanic eruption: Inside Iceland’s new battle to tame a wave of deadly lava
After three years of fiery eruptions, experts are now confident that Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula has entered a new fiery phase.
Something very strange is happening to Italy’s underground volcanoes
Earthquakes started to be felt at Campi Flegrei in September 2023. Since then, over 1,100 have been recorded.
Volcanoes across the globe are now erupting. Should we be worried?
With volcanic activity being reported everywhere from Iceland to Italy, should we be concerned that a catastrophic event is coming?
Could Africa soon split in two? The bizarre scientific theory, explained
Enormous cracks are opening across the continent.
In pictures: The electric-blue lava pouring from Earth’s strangest volcano
The luminous blue lava found on Java is caused by the sulphuric gasses burning in the oxygen-rich air once they reach the surface.
Eruption Island: Inside Iceland’s explosive new surge of volcanic activity
The Reykjanes Peninsula in southwest Iceland has recently become a hotbed of volcanic activity. Why is this happening, and how worried should we be?
Scientists unlock the secret to finding hidden rare pink diamond mines
A new discovery triggers a hunt for the Earth’s secret diamond-filled stretchmarks.
Can volcanic eruptions affect the climate?
Large volcanic eruptions can eject significant amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
In pictures: The most iconic volcanic eruptions of 2021
Volcanologist Prof Bill McGuire takes a closer look at some of the iconic eruptions that took place in 2021.
What would happen if all volcanoes on Earth erupted at once?
Fortunately, this is vanishingly unlikely to happen.
Tonga Volcano | What the once-in-a-lifetime eruption can teach us about the history of Mars
The eruption of the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano is thought to be a once-in-a-lifetime event. Now, scientists studying the explosion are uncovering information that may help us better understand Mars's volcanic past.
In pictures: The volcanic eruption devastating La Palma
A large volcanic eruption devastates the island of La Palma in the Canary Islands.
How do tsunamis form?
Here’s how one of Earth’s most destructive forces come to be, in five steps.
Volcanoes, climate change and rock records: Chris Jackson's Royal Institution Christmas Lecture
In the first of three lectures broadcast over the festive season, geologist Chris Jackson will reveal what the Earth can tell us about its past, present and feature.
Study Science 2020: 6 of the most exciting jobs in science
Considering studying science at university but not sure what to do once you graduate? Here’s our pick of some of the most exciting careers in science right now.
Venus has at least 37 recently-active volcanoes
It was previously thought that the planet had cooled down too much to show volcanic activity.
Is there anywhere that’s completely bacteria-free?
Asked by: Sachin Shaw, via email
Dinosaur extinction | Asteroid impact ‘only plausible explanation’
Researchers say an asteroid caused an impact winter for decades, and that the environmental effects destroyed suitable environments for the creatures.
Mysterious Martian landforms made by mud, not lava
Mars's freezing temperatures led to unusual shapes that would never form on Earth.
Volcanoes | 5 things that’ll shake up what you know about them
These explosive geological features are amongst the most powerful forces in nature, and the most spectacular.
New Zealand volcano | What happened when White Island erupted?
On 9 December 2019, the volcano on White Island in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty explosively erupted. Volcanologist Bill McGuire takes us through what happened.