United Kingdom Volcanoes
United Kingdom has 14 Holocene volcanoes. Note that as a scientific organization we provide these listings for informational purposes only, with no international legal or policy implications. Volcanoes will be included on this list if they are within the boundaries of a country, on a shared boundary or area, in a remote territory, or within a maritime Exclusive Economic Zone. Bolded volcanoes have erupted within the past 20 years. Suggestions and data updates are always welcome ().
Volcano Name | Last Eruption | Volcanic Region | Primary Landform |
---|---|---|---|
Adams Seamount | 50 BCE | Pitcairn Hotspot Volcano Group | Minor |
Ascension | 1508 CE | Central Mid-Atlantic Rift Volcanic Province | Composite |
Bristol Island | 2016 CE | South Sandwich Volcanic Arc | Composite |
Candlemas Island | 1911 CE | South Sandwich Volcanic Arc | Composite |
Hodson | Unknown - Evidence Credible | South Sandwich Volcanic Arc | Composite |
Leskov Island | Unknown - Unrest / Holocene | South Sandwich Volcanic Arc | Composite |
Montagu Island | 2007 CE | South Sandwich Volcanic Arc | Shield |
Nightingale Island | 2004 CE | Southern Atlantic Volcano Group | Composite |
Protector Seamounts | 1962 CE | South Sandwich Volcanic Arc | Cluster |
Saunders | 2024 CE | South Sandwich Volcanic Arc | Composite |
Soufriere Hills | 2013 CE | Lesser Antilles Volcanic Arc | Composite |
Southern Thule | 1975 CE | South Sandwich Volcanic Arc | Composite |
Tristan da Cunha | 1962 CE | Southern Atlantic Volcano Group | Shield |
Zavodovski | 2016 CE | South Sandwich Volcanic Arc | Composite |
Chronological listing of known Holocene eruptions (confirmed or uncertain) from volcanoes in United Kingdom. Bolded eruptions indicate continuing activity.
Volcano Name | Start Date | Stop Date | Certainty | VEI | Evidence |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bristol Island | 2016 Apr 24 | 2016 Jul 26 | Confirmed | 1 | Observations: Reported |
Zavodovski | 2016 Mar 30 | 2016 Jun 15 ± 15 days | Confirmed | 1 | Observations: Reported |
Saunders | 2014 Nov 12 | 2024 Oct 31 (continuing) | Confirmed | 1 | Observations: Reported |
Soufriere Hills | 2005 Apr 15 | 2013 Feb 5 | Confirmed | 3 | Observations: Reported |
Nightingale Island | 2004 Jul 29 | 2004 Jul 30 | Confirmed | 0 | Observations: Reported |
Soufriere Hills | 2004 Mar 3 | 2004 May 2 | Confirmed | 3 | Observations: Reported |
Montagu Island | 2001 Oct 1 ± 20 days | 2007 Sep 20 | Confirmed | 1 | Observations: Reported |
Saunders | 2000 May 13 | 2013 Nov 16 | Confirmed | 0 | Observations: Reported |
Saunders | 1999 Jan 19 | 1999 Jan 19 | Confirmed | 0 | Observations: Reported |
Montagu Island | [1996 Sep 1 ± 180 days] | [Unknown] | Uncertain | ||
Soufriere Hills | 1995 Jul 18 | 2003 Oct 8 | Confirmed | 3 | Observations: Reported |
Saunders | 1995 Apr 16 (?) ± 15 days | 1998 Feb 16 (in or after) ± 15 days | Confirmed | 0 | Observations: Reported |
Saunders | 1989 Jan 30 | 1990 Mar 22 | Confirmed | 0 | Observations: Reported |
Southern Thule | 1975 Jul 2 ± 11 years ± 182 days | Unknown | Confirmed | 1 | Observations: Reported |
Protector Seamounts | 1962 Mar 5 | 1962 Mar 5 | Confirmed | 1 | Observations: Seismicity |
Tristan da Cunha | 1961 Oct 10 | 1962 Mar 15 | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Bristol Island | 1956 Jan 11 | 1956 Jan 19 (?) | Confirmed | 3 | Observations: Reported |
Candlemas Island | [1953 Dec 31 ± 365 days] | [Unknown] | Uncertain | ||
Bristol Island | 1950 Mar 27 | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Bristol Island | 1936 Dec 18 | 1937 Jan 1 (?) | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Bristol Island | 1935 Dec 31 | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Hodson | [1930] | [Unknown] | Uncertain | ||
Candlemas Island | 1911 Nov 6 | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Zavodovski | [1908 Nov] | [Unknown] | Uncertain | ||
Saunders | 1900 ± 10 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 0 | Correlation: Tephrochronology |
Hodson | [1830 Sep 22] | [Unknown] | Uncertain | ||
Zavodovski | [1830 Sep] | [Unknown] | Uncertain | ||
Zavodovski | [1823] | [Unknown] | Uncertain | ||
Bristol Island | 1823 | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Saunders | [1823] | [Unknown] | Uncertain | ||
Candlemas Island | 1823 | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Saunders | 1819 Dec 29 | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Zavodovski | 1819 Dec | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Tristan da Cunha | 1700 ± 50 years | Unknown | Confirmed | Correlation: Tephrochronology | |
Soufriere Hills | 1550 ± 50 years | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (calibrated) | |
Ascension | 1508 ± 180 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 0 | Isotopic: Ar/Ar |
Soufriere Hills | 1480 ± 50 years | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (calibrated) | |
Ascension | 1468 ± 120 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 0 | Isotopic: Ar/Ar |
Soufriere Hills | 1180 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | |
Ascension | 0378 ± 370 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 0 | Isotopic: Ar/Ar |
Adams Seamount | 0050 BCE ± 1000 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 0 | Isotopic: K/Ar |
Adams Seamount | 1050 BCE ± 1000 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 0 | Isotopic: K/Ar |
Candlemas Island | 1250 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Sidereal: Ice Core | |
Soufriere Hills | 2460 BCE ± 70 years | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (calibrated) | |
Adams Seamount | 4050 BCE ± 2000 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 0 | Isotopic: K/Ar |
Soufriere Hills | 4050 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Correlation: Tephrochronology | |
Adams Seamount | 5050 BCE ± 1000 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 0 | Isotopic: K/Ar |
Soufriere Hills | 8050 BCE ± 2000 years | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (calibrated) |
United Kingdom has 5 Pleistocene volcanoes. Note that as a scientific organization we provide these listings for informational purposes only, with no international legal or policy implications. Volcanoes will be included on this list if they are within the boundaries of a country, on a shared boundary or area, in a remote territory, or within a maritime Exclusive Economic Zone. Suggestions and data updates are always welcome ().
Volcano Name | Volcanic Region | Primary Volcano Type |
---|---|---|
Centre Hills | Lesser Antilles Volcanic Arc | Minor |
Gough Island | Southern Atlantic Volcano Group | Shield |
Inaccessible Island | Southern Atlantic Volcano Group | Composite |
Pitcairn | Pitcairn Hotspot Volcano Group | Shield |
Silver Hills | Lesser Antilles Volcanic Arc | Minor |
There are 59 photos available for volcanoes in United Kingdom.

Photo by Richard Herd, 1997 (Montserrat Volcano Observatory).

Photo by Lydia Pulsipher, 1994 (University of Tennessee).

Photo by Mark Davies, 1997 (Montserrat Volcano Observatory).

Photo courtesy of Dave Hall, Frikkie Viljoen and Ian Hunter, 2006 (SA Argulhas and South African Weather Service).

Photo by Richard Fiske, 1985 (Smithsonian Institution).

Photo by Cynthia Gardner, 1995 (U.S. Geological Survey).

Photo by Tom Casadevall, 1995 (U.S. Geological Survey).

Photo by Richard Herd, 1997 (Montserrat Volcano Observatory).

Photo by Mark Davies, 1997 (Montserrat Volcano Observatory).

Photo by Peter Francis, 1997 (Open University).

Photo by Micole and Adam Dennis, 1995.

Photo by Jon Davidson (University of Durham).

Photo by Paul Cole, 1997 (Montserrat Volcano Observatory).

Satellite image courtesy of Planet Labs Inc., 2020 (https://www.planet.com/).

Photo by Vicky Hards, 2004 (British Geological Survey, copyrighted NERC).

Photo by Mark Davies, 1997 (Montserrat Volcano Observatory).

Photo by Vicky Hards, 2004 (British Geological Survey, copyrighted NERC).

ASTER satellite image, 2003 (National Aeronautical and Space Administration, courtesy of ASTER science team).

Photo by Peter Francis, 1997 (Open University).

Photo courtesy of Montserrat Volcano Observatory, 2005.

Photo by Lee Siebert, 1977 (Smithsonian Institution).

Photo by Cynthia Gardner, 1995 (U.S. Geological Survey).

Photo courtesy of Dave Hall, Frikkie Viljoen and Ian Hunter, 2006 (SA Argulhas and South African Weather Service.

Photo by Paul Cole, 1997 (Montserrat Volcano Observatory).

Copyrighted photo by Stephen O'Meara, 1997.

Photo by Richard Fiske, 1985 (Smithsonian Institution).

Satellite image courtesy of Copernicus Sentinel Data, 2019.

Photo by Cynthia Gardner, 1995 (U.S. Geological Survey).

Photo by Cynthia Gardner, 1995 (U.S. Geological Survey).

Photo by Mark Davies, 1997 (Montserrat Volcano Observatory).

Photo by Vicky Hards, 2004 (British Geological Survey, copyrighted NERC).

Photo by Peter Francis, 1997 (Open University).

ASTER satellite image, 2003 (National Aeronautical and Space Administration, courtesy of ASTER science team).

Photo by HMS Endurance (courtesy of John Smellie, British Antarctic Survey).

Photo by Cynthia Gardner, 1995 (U.S. Geological Survey).

Photo by Paul Cole, 1997 (Montserrat Volcano Observatory).

Photo by Mark Davies, 1997 (Montserrat Volcano Observatory).

Satellite image courtesy of Planet Labs Inc., 2018 (https://www.planet.com/).

Photo by Mark Davies, 1997 (Montserrat Volcano Observatory).

Plate from Thomson, 1878 (courtesy of NOAA Photo Library).

Photo by Peter Francis, 1997 (Open University).

Photo by Richard Fiske, 1977 (Smithsonian Institution).

Photo by Tom Casadevall, 1995 (U.S. Geological Survey).

Photo by Richard Fiske, 1977 (Smithsonian Institution).

Photo by Cynthia Gardner, 1995 (U.S. Geological Survey).

Photo by Lydia Mihelic Pulsipher, 1994 (University of Tennessee).

ASTER satellite image, 2002 (National Aeronautical and Space Administration, courtesy of ASTER science team).

Photo by John Smellie (British Antarctic Survey).

Photo courtesy of Montserrat Volcano Observatory, 2005.

Satellite image courtesy of Planet Labs Inc., 2021 (https://www.planet.com/).

Photo by Cynthia Gardner, 1995 (U.S. Geological Survey).

ASTER satellite image, 2002 (National Aeronautical and Space Administration, courtesy of ASTER science team).

Photo by Lydia Mihelic Pulsipher, 1997 (University of Tennessee).

Photo by Mark Davies, 1997 (Montserrat Volcano Observatory).

ASTER satellite image courtesy of Hawaii Institute of Geophysics and Planetology (HIGP) Thermal Alerts Team, 2005.

Photo by Richard Herd, 1997 (Montserrat Volcano Observatory).

Photo by Cynthia Gardner, 1995 (U.S. Geological Survey).

Photo by HMS Endurance (courtesy of John Smellie, British Antarctic Survey).

ASTER satellite image, 2001 (National Aeronautical and Space Administration, courtesy of ASTER science team).
This is a compilation of United Kingdom volcano information sources, such as official monitoring or other government agencies.
Volcano Observatories | |
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Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) | ![]() ![]() |
Volcanic Ash Advisory Center | |
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London Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) | ![]() ![]() |
- London VAAC Archive | |
- London VAAC Notices |