Since January 1, 2025, 70 volcanic eruptions have been recorded worldwide — from explosive ash columns to relentless lava flows, both on land and beneath the oceans. Tracked by the Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program, this level of activity is above average, with many eruptions concentrated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, but also appearing in Iceland, the Mediterranean, Africa, and remote island chains. Some eruptions made headlines. Many didn’t. All of them are part of Earth relea

Like clockwork, this volcano erupts almost every hour. Learn more: http://on.natgeo.com/2l4GuVw | National Geographic

By the numbers, the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens resulted in about $1 billion in damages. The eruption killed 57 people, approximately 7,000 big game animals, and about 12 million fingerlings in hatcheries. Lahars destroyed 27 bridges and nearly 200 homes, and volcanic ash caused the first known in-flight aircraft engine failure, plus disrupted thousands of households for many months. The devastation spurred efforts to understand the power and awe of those moments, and to communicat