What was erupting in the year...?
There were 56 confirmed eruptions at some point during 1961 from 52 different volcanoes; 32 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 (16 August 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Askja | Iceland | 1961 Oct 26 | 1961 Dec 5 ± 4 days | 2 |
| Cerro Negro | Nicaragua | 1961 Oct 25 | Unknown | 1 |
| Bezymianny | Russia | 1961 Oct 18 | 1961 Dec 15 | 3 |
| Lautaro | Chile | 1961 Oct 16 ± 15 days | Unknown | 2 |
| Tristan da Cunha | United Kingdom | 1961 Oct 10 | 1962 Mar 15 | 2 |
| Karangetang | Indonesia | 1961 Oct 9 | 1961 Oct 19 (in or after) | 2 |
| Asamayama | Japan | 1961 Aug 18 | 1961 Nov 16 | 2 |
| Ambrym | Vanuatu | 1961 Aug 15 | 1963 Apr 3 | 3 |
| Tokachidake | Japan | 1961 Aug 14 | 1961 Aug 14 | 1 |
| Bagana | Papua New Guinea | 1961 Jul 26 | Unknown | 2 |
| Tangkuban Parahu | Indonesia | 1961 Jul 16 | 1961 Aug 1 | 1 |
| Manam | Papua New Guinea | 1961 Jul 16 ± 15 days | 1961 Sep 16 ± 15 days | 2 |
| Kilauea | United States | 1961 Jul 10 | 1961 Sep 24 | 1 |
| Villarrica | Chile | 1961 Jul 2 ± 182 days | Unknown | 1 |
| Copahue | Chile-Argentina | 1961 Jul 2 ± 182 days | Unknown | 2 |
| Colima | Mexico | 1961 Jul 2 ± 182 days | 1962 Dec 1 ± 30 days | 1 |
| Trident | United States | 1961 Jun 30 (?) | Unknown | 2 |
| Bezymianny | Russia | 1961 May 21 | 1961 Jun 6 | 2 |
| Lokon-Empung | Indonesia | 1961 May 19 | 1961 Dec 16 ± 15 days | 2 |
| Tupungatito | Chile-Argentina | 1961 May 5 ± 4 days | 1961 Aug 16 (in or after) ± 15 days | 2 |
| Chikurachki | Russia | 1961 May 2 | 1961 Aug 10 | 1 |
| Merapi | Indonesia | 1961 Apr 11 | 1961 Nov 28 | 3 |
| Piton de la Fournaise | France | 1961 Apr 5 | 1961 Apr 25 | 0 |
| Kavachi | Solomon Islands | 1961 Mar 28 (in or before) | Unknown | 2 |
| Bezymianny | Russia | 1961 Mar 25 | 1961 Mar 26 | 3 |
| Tolbachik | Russia | 1961 Mar 24 | 1962 Feb 16 (in or after) | 2 |
| Fernandina | Ecuador | 1961 Mar 21 ± 1 days | 1961 Sep 16 ± 15 days | 2 |
| Pacaya | Guatemala | 1961 Mar 11 | 1961 Apr 15 (?) | 2 |
| Karangetang | Indonesia | 1961 Feb 28 | 1961 Apr 16 ± 15 days | 2 |
| Kilauea | United States | 1961 Feb 24 | 1961 Mar 25 | 1 |
| Calbuco | Chile | 1961 Feb 1 | 1961 Mar 26 (in or after) | 3 |
| Gorely | Russia | 1961 Jan 16 ± 15 days | Unknown | 2 |
| Langila | Papua New Guinea | 1960 Dec 19 | 1961 Sep 25 ± 5 days | 2 |
| Klyuchevskoy | Russia | 1960 Dec 16 ± 15 days | 1963 Mar 22 (in or after) | 3 |
| Slamet | Indonesia | 1960 Dec 16 ± 15 days | 1961 Jan 16 ± 15 days | 2 |
| Mutnovsky | Russia | 1960 Dec 16 ± 15 days | 1961 Jan 16 ± 15 days | 2 |
| Okmok | United States | 1960 Oct 15 ± 45 days | 1961 Apr 15 ± 45 days | 3 |
| Asosan | Japan | 1960 Sep 16 ± 15 days | 1962 Nov 16 ± 15 days | 1 |
| Ulawun | Papua New Guinea | 1960 Jul 29 ± 3 days | 1962 Nov 16 ± 15 days | 2 |
| Pavlof | United States | 1960 Jul 2 (?) ± 182 days | 1963 Jun 16 (?) ± 15 days | 2 |
| Karymsky | Russia | 1960 Apr 16 ± 15 days | 1964 Dec 16 ± 15 days | 3 |
| Ol Doinyo Lengai | Tanzania | 1960 Mar 16 (in or before) ± 15 days | 1966 Nov 28 ± 30 days | 3 |
| Krakatau | Indonesia | 1959 Dec 16 ± 15 days | 1963 Jul 2 ± 182 days | 2 |
| Lascar | Chile | 1959 Nov 16 ± 15 days | 1968 Jan 31 (in or after) | 2 |
| Etna | Italy | 1959 Oct 17 | 1964 Dec 31 | 3 |
| Rumble III | New Zealand | 1958 Jul 9 | 1962 Jul 2 ± 182 days | 0 |
| Poas | Costa Rica | 1958 Jul 2 ± 182 days | 1961 Jul 3 (?) | 2 |
| Suwanosejima | Japan | 1956 Nov 16 ± 15 days | 1984 May 16 ± 15 days | 2 |
| Aira | Japan | 1955 Oct 13 | 2016 Aug 22 | 3 |
| Semeru | Indonesia | 1950 Jul 23 | 1964 Dec 16 ± 15 days | 2 |
| Sangay | Ecuador | 1934 Aug 8 | 2011 Mar 2 | 3 |
| Stromboli | Italy | 1934 Feb 2 | 2024 Aug 16 (continuing) | 2 |
| Dukono | Indonesia | 1933 Aug 13 | 2024 Aug 16 (continuing) | 3 |
| Nyiragongo | DR Congo | 1927 Mar 16 ± 15 days | 1977 Jan 10 | 1 |
| Santa Maria | Guatemala | 1922 Jun 22 | 2024 Aug 16 (continuing) | 3 |
| Yasur | Vanuatu | 1270 ± 110 years | 2024 Aug 16 (continuing) | 3 |
List of Questions
Global Volcanism Program, 2024. [Database] Volcanoes of the World (v. 5.2.3; 20 Sep 2024). Distributed by Smithsonian Institution, compiled by Venzke, E. https://doi.org/10.5479/si.GVP.VOTW5-2024.5.2
