What was erupting in the year...?
There were 64 confirmed eruptions at some point during 1988 from 62 different volcanoes; 27 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kick 'em Jenny | Grenada | 1988 Dec 29 | 1988 Dec 30 | 0 |
| Lonquimay | Chile | 1988 Dec 25 | 1990 Jan 24 ± 1 days | 3 |
| Tokachidake | Japan | 1988 Dec 10 (?) | 1989 May 16 ± 15 days | 2 |
| Ruapehu | New Zealand | 1988 Dec 8 | 1989 Mar 5 (?) | 1 |
| Sheveluch | Russia | 1988 Dec 7 | 1988 Dec 7 | 2 |
| Fernandina | Ecuador | 1988 Sep 14 | 1988 Sep 16 | 2 |
| Monowai | New Zealand | 1988 Sep 8 | 1988 Sep 8 | 0 |
| Pagan | United States | 1988 Aug 24 | 1988 Oct 12 | 2 |
| Kie Besi | Indonesia | 1988 Jul 29 | 1988 Aug 5 | 3 |
| Slamet | Indonesia | 1988 Jul 12 | 1988 Jul 13 | 1 |
| Northern EPR at 9.8°N | Undersea Features | 1988 Jul 2 ± 1 years ± 182 days | Unknown | 0 |
| Sabancaya | Peru | 1988 Jun 22 | 1988 Oct 16 (?) ± 15 days | 1 |
| Kanlaon | Philippines | 1988 Jun 21 | 1988 Jul 2 | 1 |
| Concepcion | Nicaragua | 1988 Jun 16 ± 15 days | Unknown | 2 |
| Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai | Tonga | 1988 Jun 1 | 1988 Jun 3 (in or after) | 0 |
| Asosan | Japan | 1988 May 26 ± 5 days | 1989 Jan 16 ± 15 days | 1 |
| Banda Api | Indonesia | 1988 May 9 | 1988 May 17 | 3 |
| Lokon-Empung | Indonesia | 1988 Apr 21 | 1988 May 1 | 1 |
| Akutan | United States | 1988 Mar 26 | 1988 Jul 20 | 2 |
| Ruapehu | New Zealand | 1988 Mar 20 | 1988 May 25 ± 3 days | 1 |
| Bulusan | Philippines | 1988 Feb 20 | 1988 Mar 8 | 2 |
| Krakatau | Indonesia | 1988 Feb 14 ± 5 days | 1988 Apr 16 (?) ± 15 days | 2 |
| Ambrym | Vanuatu | 1988 Feb 12 (?) | 1988 Aug 23 | 3 |
| Gamalama | Indonesia | 1988 Feb 12 | 1988 Mar 16 (?) ± 15 days | 2 |
| Kikai | Japan | 1988 Jan 18 | 1988 Jan 18 | 1 |
| Suwanosejima | Japan | 1988 Jan 16 ± 15 days | 1989 Dec 16 ± 15 days | 2 |
| Akan | Japan | 1988 Jan 5 | 1988 Feb 18 (?) | 1 |
| Nyamulagira | DR Congo | 1987 Dec 30 | 1988 Jan 4 | 1 |
| Ranakah | Indonesia | 1987 Dec 28 | 1989 Apr 16 (in or after) ± 15 days | 3 |
| Izu-Oshima | Japan | 1987 Nov 16 | 1988 Jan 27 | 2 |
| Lascar | Chile | 1987 Nov 16 (in or before) ± 15 days | 1990 Apr 6 | 3 |
| Piton de la Fournaise | France | 1987 Nov 6 | 1988 Dec 29 | 0 |
| Ebeko | Russia | 1987 Oct 14 | 1988 Jan 16 ± 15 days | 1 |
| Poas | Costa Rica | 1987 Jun 16 ± 15 days | 1990 Jun 16 ± 15 days | 2 |
| Macdonald | France | 1987 Jun 4 | 1989 Jan 28 (in or after) | 0 |
| Raung | Indonesia | 1987 May 16 ± 15 days | 1989 Jul 28 ± 3 days | 1 |
| Marapi | Indonesia | 1987 Jan 15 | 1994 Aug 12 (in or after) | 2 |
| Bezymianny | Russia | 1986 Dec 5 ± 4 days | 1988 Jul 26 ± 5 days | 3 |
| Klyuchevskoy | Russia | 1986 Nov 27 | 1990 Sep 16 ± 15 days | 4 |
| Okmok | United States | 1986 Nov 18 | 1988 Feb 26 | 2 |
| Merapi | Indonesia | 1986 Oct 10 | 1990 Aug 16 (?) ± 15 days | 2 |
| Pavlof | United States | 1986 Apr 16 | 1988 Aug 13 | 3 |
| Sheveluch | Russia | 1986 Mar 28 | 1988 Feb 28 | 3 |
| Whakaari/White Island | New Zealand | 1986 Feb 1 (?) | 1994 Jul 28 | 3 |
| Nevado del Ruiz | Colombia | 1985 Sep 11 | 1991 Jul 13 | 3 |
| Sangeang Api | Indonesia | 1985 Jul 30 | 1988 Feb 16 ± 15 days | 3 |
| Karangetang | Indonesia | 1983 May 16 ± 15 days | 1988 Dec 31 (in or after) | 3 |
| Kilauea | United States | 1983 Jan 3 | 2018 Sep 5 | 3 |
| Ol Doinyo Lengai | Tanzania | 1983 Jan 1 | 1993 Sep 24 | 2 |
| Etna | Italy | 1979 Jul 3 | 1993 Mar 30 | 2 |
| 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 Aug 16 (continuing) | 2 |
| Bagana | Papua New Guinea | 1972 Jul 2 ± 182 days | 1995 Jul 2 (in or after) ± 182 days | 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 Aug 16 (continuing) | 0 |
| Pacaya | Guatemala | 1965 Jul 4 | 1989 Mar 10 | 3 |
| 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
