13 of the Highest Volcanoes in the World

Located on the island of Sicily, Mount Etna is the highest volcano in Western Europe and one of the most active volcanoes in the world. It has likely been active for the last 2.6 million years and is frequently seen emitting a plume of smoke.

Mount Semeru, which is extremely active, is the highest volcano on the Indonesian island of Java. It has been in near constant eruption since 1967, with the last major episode, on December 4, 2021, destroying more than 5,000 homes and killing at least 69.

Located on the most populous of the Canary Islands – a Spanish archipelago off the coast of northwestern Africa – Mount Teide is the third largest volcano in the world when measured from base to summit, with a total height of 24,600 feet.

This iconic volcano is the highest mountain in Japan. Although considered active by geologists, it has been dormant since 1707, when it last erupted. The present mountain is actually a composite of three older volcanoes.

This double-summit volcano overlooking Antigua had its last major eruption in 1972, but is a popular tourist destination with a difficult and steep hike that affords the adventurous excellent views of the nearby active Fuego Volcano, known for its nearly constant spewing of ash and smoke.

From base to summit, Mauna Loa measures 30,085 feet, making it the second highest mountain on earth after its neighbor Mauna Kea, which is 33,500 feet from its base under the ocean. (Mount Everest rises to 29,032 feet.) It is considered the largest active volcano in the world when measured from its base rather than height above sea level.

The highest mountain in Turkey, Mount Ararat has two snow-capped cones. Its last eruption in 1840 was accompanied by a magnitude 7.4 earthquake and caused massive landslides and lahars (debris flows) that destroyed settlements and claimed the lives of more than 10,000 people. Ararat is traditionally identified as the resting place for Noah’s Ark after the great biblical flood.

Popocatépetl is the second highest volcano in Mexico, as well as one of the most active volcanoes in the country. Its name means “smoking mountain” in Nahuatl, and it has been consistently emitting smoke since 1991.

Mount Elbrus, in the Western Caucuses, is the highest peak in Russia and consists of two volcanic domes. While its last eruption took place around the year 50, current volcanic activity on the mountain includes fumaroles (steam vents) and geothermal springs.

The snow-covered peak of Mount Damavand is the highest volcano in Asia. Its last eruption was around 5300 BC, but the volcano is sometimes considered potentially active because of the sulfur fumaroles near the summit crater.

In addition to being the highest mountain in Africa, Kilimanjaro is also the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. Its last major eruption was 360,000 years ago and its last activity was 200,000 years ago.

Because of Chimborazo’s location on the Earth’s equatorial bulge, this volcano is the furthest peak from the center of the earth, and the closest point to outer space on the planet. Its last eruption came around the year 550. The snow-capped peak is a popular mountaineering destination.

Ojos del Salado is not only the second-highest mountain in the Andes (after Aconcagua in Argentina), but the highest volcano on earth, when measured from sea level to the summit. Despite its height, dry conditions prevent the formation of a permanent snow cap.