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What was erupting in the year...?

There were 60 confirmed eruptions at some point during 1981 from 56 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 (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
Nyamulagira DR Congo 1981 Dec 25 1982 Jan 14 3
Alaid Russia 1981 Nov 25 Unknown 2
Telica Nicaragua 1981 Nov 25 ± 5 days 1982 Mar 2 2
Krafla Iceland 1981 Nov 18 1981 Nov 23 0
Ruapehu New Zealand 1981 Oct 25 (?) 1982 Apr 12 ± 3 days 1
Pavlof United States 1981 Sep 25 1981 Sep 27 3
Guagua Pichincha Ecuador 1981 Aug 31 ± 5 days 1982 Nov 16 (?) ± 15 days 1
Fernandina Ecuador 1981 Aug 1 ± 270 days Unknown 0
Gaua Vanuatu 1981 Jul 9 1981 Jul 9 1
Dieng Volcanic Complex Indonesia 1981 Jul 2 ± 182 days Unknown 1
Asosan Japan 1981 Jun 15 1981 Jun 15 1
Bezymianny Russia 1981 Jun 12 1983 May 22 3
Chachadake [Tiatia] Japan - administered by Russia 1981 Jun 10 1981 Jun 25 2
Okataina New Zealand 1981 May 16 ± 15 days 1981 May 16 ± 15 days 1
Pagan United States 1981 May 15 1985 May 1 (in or after) 4
Alaid Russia 1981 Apr 27 1981 Jun 5 4
Krakatau Indonesia 1981 Apr 24 1981 Oct 20 1
Bulusan Philippines 1981 Apr 9 1981 Apr 27 3
Hekla Iceland 1981 Apr 9 1981 Apr 16 2
Pavlof United States 1981 Mar 30 (in or before) 1981 May 28 1
Okmok United States 1981 Mar 24 1981 Mar 24 3
Poas Costa Rica 1981 Mar 16 ± 15 days 1981 May 16 ± 15 days 1
Gamkonora Indonesia 1981 Mar 4 1981 Jul 25 1
Shikotsu Japan 1981 Feb 27 1981 Feb 27 1
Ambrym Vanuatu 1981 Feb 20 1981 Sep 30 2
Telica Nicaragua 1981 Feb 16 (?) ± 15 days Unknown 1
Piton de la Fournaise France 1981 Feb 3 1981 May 5 2
Krafla Iceland 1981 Jan 30 1981 Feb 4 0
Klyuchevskoy Russia 1981 Jan 25 1981 Aug 4 (?) 1
Macdonald France 1980 Nov 10 1981 Feb 15 0
Paluweh Indonesia 1980 Nov 5 1981 Sep 16 ± 15 days 2
Kavachi Solomon Islands 1980 Oct 7 1981 Feb 25 1
Sheveluch Russia 1980 Aug 23 1981 Dec 1 ± 30 days 1
Gorely Russia 1980 Jun 15 ± 5 days 1981 Jul 3 3
St. Helens United States 1980 Mar 27 1986 Oct 28 ± 3 days 5
Etna Italy 1979 Jul 3 1993 Mar 30 2
Colima Mexico 1977 Dec 16 ± 15 days 1982 Jun 16 ± 15 days 1
Toya Japan 1977 Aug 7 1982 Mar 16 ± 15 days 3
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
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 Mar 1 (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
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 Mar 1 (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 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