How many volcanoes are on Earth?

While an exact total count of every single volcano on Earth, including dormant, extinct, and all types of oceanic volcanoes, is not precisely known, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) provides figures for potentially active volcanoes.

How Many Potentially Active Volcanoes Are on Earth?

There are about 1,350 potentially active volcanoes worldwide, excluding the extensive, continuous belts of volcanoes found on the ocean floor, such as those along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

Of these potentially active volcanoes:

• Approximately 500 of the 1,350 have erupted in historical time.

This information highlights that while a precise global census of every single volcanic vent is challenging, significant data exists for volcanoes with the potential for future activity.

Understanding Different Categories of Volcanoes

To better understand the numbers, it's helpful to differentiate between various types of volcanoes:

• Potentially Active Volcanoes: These are volcanoes that scientists consider likely to erupt again, often within a certain timeframe, and are typically located on land (subaerial). The count of around 1,350 refers to this category.
• Historically Erupting Volcanoes: A subset of potentially active volcanoes, these have documented eruptions within human history. The USGS indicates about 500 fall into this group.
• Oceanic Volcanoes at Spreading Centers: These are found along vast underwater mountain ranges where tectonic plates pull apart, like the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. While they represent continuous belts of volcanic activity, they are not typically counted as discrete, individual volcanoes in the same way as subaerial ones, making an exact number impossible. These areas are responsible for forming new oceanic crust.

Summary of Volcano Counts

This table clarifies the types of volcanoes for which numerical estimates are available, primarily focusing on those with the potential for significant surface impact.