The 10 Most Dangerous Volcanoes on the Planet

Around the planet, there are a grand total of 1,357 active volcanoes. With so many volcanoes, it is quite difficult to decide which individual volcanoes are the world's most dangerous. This video takes into account every active volcano in existence, and uses the scientific method to determine what are the most dangerous volcanoes on the planet. Included in this list are volcanoes such as Vesuvius, Taal, Aso, and Nevado del Ruiz.

The methodology used is linked in this USGS paper:

Google Earth imagery used in this video: ©Google & Data Providers

[GeologyHub]

This video is not opinion based, but rather relies on a tested scientific criteria to accurately determine which volcanoes on the planet are the most dangerous. Included below are the 25 most dangerous volcanoes, the scores they were assigned, and some other notable volcanoes which missed the cut. Important factors include:
-how often the volcano erupts
-how large its eruptions are
-how many people are at risk from an eruption
-volume of air traffic
-slope failure potential
-lahar danger, and other factors.
I want to note that after #30, my list may be incomplete.
Here is the list:
1-Taal: 390 (Philippines)
2-Krakatoa: 380 (Indonesia)
3-Vesuvius: 366 (Italy)
4-Sakurajima / Aira Caldera: 357 (Japan)
5-Campi Flegrei: 355 (Italy)
6-Aso: 354 (Japan)
7-Rinjani: 354 (Indonesia)
8-Mount Etna: 332 (Italy)
9-Fuji: 330 (Japan)
10-Tarawera / Okataina: 329 (New Zealand)
11-Galunggung: 315 (Indonesia)
12-Kikai: 315 (Japan)
13-Agung: 315 (Indonesia)
14-Kelud: 308 (Indonesia)
15-Mount Teide: 308 (Spain, Canary Islands)
16-Merapi: 306 (Indonesia)
17-Ata: 306 (Japan)
18-Tambora: 305 (Indonesia)
19-Popocatépetl: 300 (Mexico)
20-Santorini: 303 (Greece)
21-Nelvado Del Ruiz: 301 (Colombia)
22-Ilopango: 296 (El Salvador)
23-Cotopaxi: 293 (Ecuador)
24-Galeras: 292 (Colombia)
25-Pelee: 292 (Martinique)
26-Furnas: 292
27-Mayon: 291
28-Avachinsky: 290
29-Mount Pinatubo: 290
30-La Soufriere: 283
31-Unzen: 282 (decade volcano)
32-Arenal: 274
33-Fuego: 271
34-Taupo: 270 (Supervolcano)
35-El Chichon: 268
-Mount Baekdu: 265
-Colima: 264
-Stromboli: 264
-Kilauea: 263
-Ambrym: 257
-Santa Maria: 255
-Mount Saint Helens: 235
-Katla: 232
-Hekla: 228
-Nyiragongo: 225
-Huaynaputina: 205
-Mount Rainier: 203 (decade volcano)
-Grímsvötn: 201
-Nabro: 194
-Eyjafjallajökull: 183
-Toba: 180 (Supervolcano)
-Atitlan: 178 (Supervolcano)
-Mauna Loa: 131 (decade volcano)
-Crater Lake: 129
-Long Valley (Supervolcano): 129
-Yellowstone (Supervolcano): 115
-Valles Caldera (Supervolcano): 60

[larkmacgregor]

I am shocked that Mt. Rainier is so far down on this list. It's a large stratovolcano with the danger of lahars, long distance pyroclastic flows, and a densely populated area in those flow paths. I guess that because it's been so long since it last went off, it's viewed as less dangerous. But the idea that it is somehow less dangerous than Kilauea, which is a shield volcano and not known for explosive eruptions, seems odd to me.

[outlawbillionairez]

"for those of you that stayed to the end of the video...."

EVERYONE 😀

[SP_]

The world needs more reports just like this.
Totally FACT BASED SCIENTIFIC INFO THAT CAN BE EASILY DOUBLE CHECKED by anyone with a third grade reading comprehension level.
Thank you sir.

[howitzersupercell]

I'm having goosebumps while watching this video - specially knowing that Taal is less than 50kms away from my house.

When it erupted last Jan 2020, one of the major problems is the evacuation from it's danger zone. If i recall correctly, Taal started steaming at around 11am and started it's eruption at around 1-2pm.

At around 7pm, I saw the news where people are still having troubles escaping due to the heavy traffic. Good thing Taal's eruption that time is upwards (plinian if I'm right with the eruption type) so it gave an opportunity for the people to evacuate.

Imagine if it erupted violently - it would be very hard to evacuate considering there are thousands living on it's caldera.

[williamlloyd]

Interesting list of volcanic risk ranking; while serving at Subic Bay, I took a tour of area around the Taal volcano. The whole area was beautiful but as you stated a lot of people live in the area.

[alisumaray]

When Taal recently erupted, we can smell the sulfur from the eruption from where we are in Manila. Add to that is the ash fall that reached even the capital city.

[ThePlemon]

Dude once again you knocked this one out of the park with your expert knowledge on volcanos, kudos

[toni]

Very interesting and informative. Exactly what is needed at this time. Thank you for your excellent content!

[Iamthelolrus]

This video was a fun little surprise. Thanks for making it.

[petramaas]

I stayed to the end AND I read the list in your comment ;-). Very interesting information, thank you again.

[jakealter]

I’m not surprised that Vesuvius was in the top 3, it definitely deserves a high ranking

[TheAverageGuy]

Thanks for the effort you put into this fantastic list. I'm lucky to have been to 5 of your top 10 in person, including Krakatoa before its last eruption and tsunami. If anyone wants to feel what its like to be near one of these giants when it erupts have a read of "Surviving Galeras" ( Number 24 on your list) by volcanologist Stanley Williams.

[Theogenerang]

When I fly into Manila NAIA airport we are sometimes directed to hold some distance from the final approach at 5000 feet or more. The hold takes us almost directly over Taal's lake. Quite a sobering sight when theres a full moon and you see the smoke and steam rising below your airliner.

[auffmWeg]

Please make a video about the 10 most active volcanoes :)

[bigdogpr]

I must admit, you make this stuff extremely interesting. Thank you. I love your channel.

[redbarchetta]

I live near Mt Rainier so obviously always interested in these videos. :) Love your channel btw.

[lrdgrd]

this was exactly what i was going to ask to have done! both the way the ranking is done (or what is used to get the rating), and have the top ones listed. great work!

[aaronosheaarchery]

I love this channel. I hope it continues to grow 👌

[jokerace]

It's a good list. I'd have basically all of those in there, maybe slightly different ordering, but that's part of why it's always interesting to compare lists.