What was erupting in the year...?
There were 52 confirmed eruptions at some point during 1962 from 51 different volcanoes; 29 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 (19 September 2025). Information about more recent eruptions can be found in the Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report.
| Volcano | Country | Eruption Start Date | Eruption Stop Date | Eruption Type | Max VEI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gamalama | Indonesia | 1962 Dec 31 | 1963 Jan 2 (?) | Explosive / Effusive | 2 |
| Whakaari/White Island | New Zealand | 1962 Dec 15 | Unknown | 3 | |
| Kilauea | United States | 1962 Dec 7 | 1962 Dec 9 | Explosive / Effusive | 0 |
| Akutan | United States | 1962 Nov 5 ± 4 days | Unknown | 2 | |
| Bezymianny | Russia | 1962 Oct 21 | 1962 Nov 6 | Explosive / Effusive | 2 |
| Miyakejima | Japan | 1962 Aug 24 | 1962 Aug 27 | Explosive / Effusive | 2 |
| Tolbachik | Russia | 1962 Aug 16 ± 15 days | 1963 Jul 2 ± 182 days | Explosive / Effusive | 1 |
| Fuego | Guatemala | 1962 Aug 4 | 1962 Nov 9 | Explosive / Effusive | 3 |
| Gaua | Vanuatu | 1962 Jul 16 (on or before) ± 15 days | Unknown | 2 | |
| Lopevi | Vanuatu | 1962 Jul 16 ± 15 days | 1962 Jul 16 (?) ± 15 days | Explosive / Effusive | 0 |
| Tokachidake | Japan | 1962 Jun 29 | 1962 Sep 16 ± 15 days | Explosive / Effusive | 3 |
| Yakedake | Japan | 1962 Jun 17 | 1963 Jun 29 | Explosive / Effusive | 2 |
| Concepcion | Nicaragua | 1962 Jun 16 ± 15 days | 1962 Jun 16 ± 15 days | Explosive / Effusive | 2 |
| Trident | United States | 1962 Jun 9 | 1962 Jun 9 | Explosive / Effusive | 3 |
| Tongariro | New Zealand | 1962 May 24 | Unknown | 2 | |
| Akan | Japan | 1962 Apr 28 | 1962 Apr 28 | Explosive / Effusive | 1 |
| Lokon-Empung | Indonesia | 1962 Apr 16 ± 15 days | 1962 Nov 16 ± 15 days | Explosive / Effusive | 1 |
| Manam | Papua New Guinea | 1962 Apr 16 ± 15 days | Unknown | 2 | |
| Cerro Negro | Nicaragua | 1962 Mar 21 | 1962 Apr 16 (?) ± 15 days | Explosive / Effusive | 2 |
| Langila | Papua New Guinea | 1962 Mar 16 ± 15 days | 1963 Aug 11 | Explosive / Effusive | 2 |
| Niigata-Yakeyama | Japan | 1962 Mar 14 | 1962 Mar 14 | Explosive / Effusive | 1 |
| Protector Seamounts | United Kingdom | 1962 Mar 5 | 1962 Mar 5 | Submarine | 1 |
| Bagana | Papua New Guinea | 1962 Feb 15 | 1963 Jul 2 ± 182 days | Explosive / Effusive | 2 |
| Karangetang | Indonesia | 1962 Jan 29 | 1963 Dec 16 ± 15 days | Explosive / Effusive | 2 |
| Kiska | United States | 1962 Jan 24 | Unknown | 3 | |
| Kavachi | Solomon Islands | 1962 Jan 16 ± 15 days | 1962 Feb 16 ± 15 days | Explosive / Effusive | 2 |
| Izu-Oshima | Japan | 1962 Jan 16 ± 15 days | 1965 May 16 ± 15 days | Explosive / Effusive | 1 |
| Telica | Nicaragua | 1962 Jan 16 ± 15 days | 1962 Jan 16 ± 15 days | Explosive / Effusive | 1 |
| Planchon-Peteroa | Chile | 1962 Jan 16 ± 15 days | Unknown | 1 | |
| Tristan da Cunha | United Kingdom | 1961 Oct 10 | 1962 Mar 15 | Explosive / Effusive | 2 |
| Ambrym | Vanuatu | 1961 Aug 15 | 1963 Apr 3 | Explosive / Effusive | 3 |
| Colima | Mexico | 1961 Jul 2 ± 182 days | 1962 Dec 1 ± 30 days | Explosive / Effusive | 1 |
| Tolbachik | Russia | 1961 Mar 24 | 1962 Feb 16 (on or after) | Explosive / Effusive | 2 |
| Klyuchevskoy | Russia | 1960 Dec 16 ± 15 days | 1963 Mar 22 (on or after) | Explosive / Effusive | 3 |
| Asosan | Japan | 1960 Sep 16 ± 15 days | 1962 Nov 16 ± 15 days | Explosive / Effusive | 1 |
| Ulawun | Papua New Guinea | 1960 Jul 29 ± 3 days | 1962 Nov 16 ± 15 days | Explosive / Effusive | 2 |
| Pavlof | United States | 1960 Jul 2 (?) ± 182 days | 1963 Jun 16 (?) ± 15 days | Explosive / Effusive | 2 |
| Karymsky | Russia | 1960 Apr 16 ± 15 days | 1964 Dec 16 ± 15 days | Explosive / Effusive | 3 |
| Ol Doinyo Lengai | Tanzania | 1960 Mar 16 (on or before) ± 15 days | 1966 Nov 28 ± 30 days | Explosive / Effusive | 3 |
| Krakatau | Indonesia | 1959 Dec 16 ± 15 days | 1963 Jul 2 ± 182 days | Explosive / Effusive | 2 |
| Lascar | Chile | 1959 Nov 16 ± 15 days | 1968 Jan 31 (on or after) | Explosive / Effusive | 2 |
| Etna | Italy | 1959 Oct 17 | 1964 Dec 31 | Explosive / Effusive | 3 |
| Rumble III | New Zealand | 1958 Jul 9 | 1962 Jul 2 ± 182 days | Explosive / Effusive | 0 |
| Suwanosejima | Japan | 1956 Nov 16 ± 15 days | 1984 May 16 ± 15 days | Explosive / Effusive | 2 |
| Aira | Japan | 1955 Oct 13 | 2016 Aug 22 | Explosive / Effusive | 3 |
| Semeru | Indonesia | 1950 Jul 23 | 1964 Dec 16 ± 15 days | Explosive / Effusive | 2 |
| Sangay | Ecuador | 1934 Aug 8 | 2011 Mar 2 | Explosive / Effusive | 3 |
| Stromboli | Italy | 1934 Feb 2 | 2025 Sep 19 (continuing) | Explosive / Effusive | 2 |
| Dukono | Indonesia | 1933 Aug 13 | 2025 Sep 19 (continuing) | Explosive / Effusive | 3 |
| Nyiragongo | DR Congo | 1927 Mar 16 ± 15 days | 1977 Jan 10 | Lava Lake | 1 |
| Santa Maria | Guatemala | 1922 Jun 22 | 2025 Sep 19 (continuing) | Explosive / Effusive | 3 |
| Yasur | Vanuatu | 1270 ± 110 years | 2025 Sep 19 (continuing) | Explosive / Effusive | 3 |
List of Questions
Global Volcanism Program, 2025. [Database] Volcanoes of the World (v. 5.3.3; 26 Nov 2025). Distributed by Smithsonian Institution, compiled by Venzke, E. https://doi.org/10.5479/si.GVP.VOTW5-2025.5.3
