Logo link to homepage

What was erupting in the year...?

There were 61 confirmed eruptions at some point during 1996 from 59 different volcanoes; 35 of those were new eruptions that started during the year. A stop date with "(continuing)" indicates that the eruption was considered to be ongoing as of the date indicated. Data is reported through the last data update (2 March 2024). Information about more recent eruptions can be found in the Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report.

Volcano Country Eruption Start Date Eruption Stop Date Max VEI
Dieng Volcanic Complex Indonesia 1996 Dec 31 1996 Dec 31 1
Suwanosejima Japan 1996 Dec 26 1997 Apr 17 1
McDonald Islands Australia 1996 Dec 16 ± 15 days 1997 Feb 10 ± 30 days 1
Masaya Nicaragua 1996 Dec 5 1996 Dec 5 1
Alaid Russia 1996 Dec 3 Unknown 2
Nyamulagira DR Congo 1996 Dec 1 1996 Dec 5 (in or after) 3
Akan Japan 1996 Nov 21 1996 Nov 21 1
Klyuchevskoy Russia 1996 Nov 14 1997 Mar 20 ± 12 days 2
Lascar Chile 1996 Oct 18 1996 Oct 18 2
Karangetang Indonesia 1996 Oct 1 (in or before) 1997 Jun 16 (in or after) ± 15 days 1
Grimsvotn Iceland 1996 Sep 30 1996 Nov 6 3
Monowai New Zealand 1996 Sep 20 1996 Sep 22 0
Amukta United States 1996 Sep 17 1996 Sep 18 1
Villarrica Chile 1996 Sep 14 1997 Aug 16 ± 15 days 1
Pavlof United States 1996 Sep 11 1997 Jan 3 (?) 2
Adatarayama Japan 1996 Sep 1 1996 Sep 1 1
Kerinci Indonesia 1996 Aug 16 ± 15 days 1996 Oct 16 (?) ± 15 days 1
Kanlaon Philippines 1996 Aug 10 1996 Aug 10 2
Bezymianny Russia 1996 Jul 23 (?) 1996 Sep 1 0
Krakatau Indonesia 1996 Jul 16 (in or before) ± 15 days 1996 Oct 16 (in or after) ± 15 days 2
Pagan United States 1996 Jul 2 ± 182 days Unknown 1
Gamalama Indonesia 1996 Jul 2 ± 182 days Unknown 2
Galapagos Rift Ecuador 1996 Jul 2 ± 6 years ± 182 days Unknown 0
Ambrym Vanuatu 1996 Jun 16 (in or before) ± 15 days 2005 Aug 16 (in or after) ± 15 days 1
Ruapehu New Zealand 1996 Jun 16 1996 Sep 1 3
Poas Costa Rica 1996 Apr 8 1996 Apr 8 1
Hokkaido-Komagatake Japan 1996 Mar 5 1996 Mar 12 (?) 1
Popocatepetl Mexico 1996 Mar 5 2003 Nov 22 (?) 3
North Gorda Ridge Segment United States 1996 Feb 28 (?) 1996 Mar 15 (?) 0
Kama'ehuakanaloa United States 1996 Feb 25 ± 30 days 1996 Aug 9 (?) 0
Gemini-Oscostar Vanuatu 1996 Feb 18 1996 Feb 22 (in or after) 1
Unzendake Japan 1996 Feb 10 1996 May 1 2
Villarrica Chile 1996 Jan 16 ± 15 days Unknown 1
Karymsky Russia 1996 Jan 2 2000 Dec 20 (?) 3
Akademia Nauk Russia 1996 Jan 2 1996 Jan 3 3
Shishaldin United States 1995 Dec 23 1996 May 16 (in or before) 3
Rabaul Papua New Guinea 1995 Nov 28 2001 Sep 5 ± 4 days 2
Kujusan Japan 1995 Oct 11 1996 Mar 24 1
Soufriere Hills United Kingdom 1995 Jul 18 2003 Oct 8 3
Saunders United Kingdom 1995 Apr 16 (?) ± 15 days 1998 Feb 16 (in or after) ± 15 days 0
Ol Doinyo Lengai Tanzania 1994 Sep 18 2006 Jul 16 (?) ± 15 days 1
Nyiragongo DR Congo 1994 Jun 23 1996 Mar 16 (?) ± 15 days 1
Etna Italy 1994 Jun 17 2001 Aug 9 3
Merapi Indonesia 1992 Jan 20 2002 Oct 19 (?) 2
Soputan Indonesia 1991 May 22 1996 Sep 29 (in or after) 2
Sabancaya Peru 1990 May 28 1998 Sep 16 (?) ± 15 days 3
Suwanosejima Japan 1990 Apr 16 ± 15 days 1996 Jul 14 2
Pacaya Guatemala 1990 Jan 4 (?) 2000 Mar 1 3
Kilauea United States 1983 Jan 3 2018 Sep 5 3
Manam Papua New Guinea 1974 Mar 4 (?) 1999 Nov 9 (?) 3
Langila Papua New Guinea 1973 Feb 24 ± 4 days 2000 Oct 16 (in or after) ± 15 days 3
Erebus Antarctica 1972 Dec 16 (in or before) ± 15 days 2024 Mar 1 (continuing) 2
Arenal Costa Rica 1968 Jul 29 2010 Dec 16 (?) ± 15 days 3
Semeru Indonesia 1967 Aug 31 2009 Mar 15 3
Erta Ale Ethiopia 1967 Jul 2 (in or before) ± 182 days 2024 Mar 1 (continuing) 0
Aira Japan 1955 Oct 13 2016 Aug 22 3
Sangay Ecuador 1934 Aug 8 2011 Mar 2 3
Stromboli Italy 1934 Feb 2 2024 Mar 1 (continuing) 2
Dukono Indonesia 1933 Aug 13 2024 Mar 1 (continuing) 3
Santa Maria Guatemala 1922 Jun 22 2024 Mar 1 (continuing) 3
Yasur Vanuatu 1270 ± 110 years 2024 Mar 1 (continuing) 3

List of Questions

Global Volcanism Program, 2024. [Database] Volcanoes of the World (v. 5.1.6; 2 Mar 2024). Distributed by Smithsonian Institution, compiled by Venzke, E. https://doi.org/10.5479/si.GVP.VOTW5-2023.5.1