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What was erupting in the year...?

There were 65 confirmed eruptions at some point during 1979 from 60 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
Bulusan Philippines 1979 Dec 27 1980 Sep 28 3
Kilauea United States 1979 Nov 16 1979 Nov 17 0
Sierra Negra Ecuador 1979 Nov 13 1980 Jan 14 (in or after) 3
Ontakesan Japan 1979 Oct 28 1980 Apr 25 2
Llaima Chile 1979 Oct 15 1979 Nov 28 2
Macdonald France 1979 Sep 30 1979 Sep 30 0
Bezymianny Russia 1979 Sep 18 Unknown 2
Poas Costa Rica 1979 Sep 8 1980 Jan 16 ± 15 days 1
Krakatau Indonesia 1979 Jul 15 ± 5 days 1979 Nov 16 ± 15 days 2
Etna Italy 1979 Jul 3 1993 Mar 30 2
Peuet Sague Indonesia 1979 Jul 2 ± 182 days Unknown 2
Lopevi Vanuatu 1979 Jul 2 1979 Sep 12 2
East Epi Vanuatu 1979 Jul 2 ± 5 years ± 182 days Unknown 0
Ruapehu New Zealand 1979 Jun 30 1979 Jul 15 1
Ambrym Vanuatu 1979 Jun 6 1979 Sep 16 (?) ± 15 days 2
Asosan Japan 1979 Jun 5 ± 4 days 1980 Mar 8 2
Karangetang Indonesia 1979 May 31 1979 May 31 1
Piton de la Fournaise France 1979 May 28 1979 Jul 14 1
Curacoa Tonga 1979 May 14 Unknown 1
Lateiki Tonga 1979 May 10 (in or before) 1979 Jul 21 (in or after) 2
Chirinkotan Russia 1979 Apr 16 ± 15 days 1980 Oct 10 2
Carran-Los Venados Chile 1979 Apr 14 1979 May 20 2
Soufriere St. Vincent Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1979 Apr 13 1979 Oct 26 ± 5 days 3
Lautaro Chile 1979 Mar 8 (in or before) Unknown 2
Dieng Volcanic Complex Indonesia 1979 Feb 20 1979 Feb 20 1
Monowai New Zealand 1979 Feb 16 (?) ± 15 days 1979 Apr 19 (?) 1
Shishaldin United States 1979 Feb 16 ± 15 days Unknown 2
Kirishimayama Japan 1979 Feb 16 ± 60 days Unknown 1
Bezymianny Russia 1979 Feb 11 Unknown 3
Cerro Azul Ecuador 1979 Jan 29 1979 Mar 4 (in or after) 2
Ambrym Vanuatu 1979 Jan 26 ± 5 days 1979 Feb 18 (?) 2
Karkar Papua New Guinea 1979 Jan 12 (?) 1979 Aug 9 2
Shikotsu Japan 1978 Dec 12 1979 May 11 1
Lopevi Vanuatu 1978 Nov 22 1979 Mar 16 ± 15 days 2
Raung Indonesia 1978 Jan 16 ± 15 days 1979 Dec 16 (in or after) ± 15 days 1
Colima Mexico 1977 Dec 16 ± 15 days 1982 Jun 16 ± 15 days 1
Fuego Guatemala 1977 Sep 11 1979 Aug 8 2
Toya Japan 1977 Aug 7 1982 Mar 16 ± 15 days 3
Klyuchevskoy Russia 1977 Aug 2 1980 Mar 12 3
Ruapehu New Zealand 1977 Jul 16 1979 Jan 17 2
Whakaari/White Island New Zealand 1976 Dec 18 1982 Jan 29 3
Axial Seamount Undersea Features 1976 Jan 1 ± 6 years 1982 (in or before) 0
Lokon-Empung Indonesia 1975 Nov 16 (in or before) ± 15 days 1980 Jul 2 ± 182 days 2
Marapi Indonesia 1975 Jan 16 ± 15 days 1979 Sep 11 2
Galeras Colombia 1974 Jul 2 ± 182 days 1983 Jul 2 (?) ± 182 days 1
Manam Papua New Guinea 1974 Mar 4 (?) 1999 Nov 9 (?) 3
Nevados de Chillan Chile 1973 Jul 16 ± 15 days 1986 Jul 2 ± 182 days 2
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 Aug 16 (continuing) 2
Merapi Indonesia 1972 Oct 6 1985 Mar 16 ± 15 days 2
Bagana Papua New Guinea 1972 Jul 2 ± 182 days 1995 Jul 2 (in or after) ± 182 days 2
Etna Italy 1971 Sep 19 1979 Mar 16 (?) ± 15 days 2
Karymsky Russia 1970 May 11 1982 Oct 11 3
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 Aug 16 (continuing) 0
Masaya Nicaragua 1965 Oct 10 (?) 1985 Apr 16 (?) ± 15 days 1
Pacaya Guatemala 1965 Jul 4 1989 Mar 10 3
Suwanosejima Japan 1956 Nov 16 ± 15 days 1984 May 16 ± 15 days 2
Aira Japan 1955 Oct 13 2016 Aug 22 3
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
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