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Volcanoes of the World   »  Large Holocene Eruptions 

Large Holocene Eruptions

The following list includes known large-volume Holocene explosive eruptions with a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 4 or larger. Note the dating method codes before the dates (explained using a cursor rollover), and pay particular attention to the distinction between corrected (G) and uncorrected (C) radiocarbon dates. Also be aware of the uncertainties of the dates themselves (including those with a "?" indicating an unknown, but potentially large date uncertainty). "P" and "C" VEI codes refer to plinian or caldera-forming eruptions, respectively, of large, but unknown magnitudes. See "Eruption Data Criteria" for further explanation of the VEI and other codes and About "Volcanoes of the World" for acknowledgments and citation guidelines.



Volcano Name Volcanic Subregion Date (Reverse Order) VEI

TAUPO New Zealand G 9850 BC (?)  5
TONGARIRO New Zealand G 9650 BC (?)  5
KHANGAR Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) G 9500 BC ± 300 years P
TAUPO New Zealand G 9450 BC (?)  4+
TONGARIRO New Zealand G 9450 BC (?)  5

TAUPO New Zealand G 9430 BC (?)  4
TONGARIRO New Zealand T 9350 BC (?)  5
KUJU Kyushu (Japan) G 9160 BC ± 1000 years 4
ASKJA Northeastern Iceland G 9130 BC ± 1000 years 5
PELEE West Indies G 8210 BC ± 200 years 4?

VESTMANNAEYJAR Southern Iceland T 8050 BC (?)  4
KIZIMEN Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) T 8050 BC (?)  5
TAUPO New Zealand G 8000 BC (?)  5
KSUDACH Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) G 7900 BC (?)  5
RUAPEHU New Zealand C 7840 BC (in or before) 4

TOLIMA, NEVADO DEL Colombia C 7800 BC ± 300 years P
TUNGURAHUA Ecuador C 7750 BC (?)  4
SOCHE Ecuador C 7720 BC ± 30 years 5?
SHASTA California (USA) C 7650 BC ± 100 years 4
ROUNDTOP Aleutian Islands T 7600 BC ± 500 years 5?

OKATAINA New Zealand G 7550 BC (?)  5
PAKA Eastern Africa R 7550 BC ± 1000 years C
TOWADA Honshu (Japan) T 7550 BC (?)  5
ELOVSKY Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) T 7550 BC ± 500 years 4
LVINAYA PAST Kuril Islands C 7480 BC ± 50 years 6+

PINATUBO Luzon (Philippines) G 7460 BC ± 150 years 6?
BURNEY, MONTE Southern Chile G 7450 BC ± 500 years 5
USHISHUR Kuril Islands C 7450 BC ± 50 years C
FISHER Aleutian Islands C 7420 BC ± 200 years 6?
CHAITEN Southern Chile C 7420 BC ± 75 years C

MASHU Hokkaido (Japan) G 7400 BC ± 200 years 4
CHICHINAUTZIN México G 7370 BC ± 300 years 4
ULREUNG Korea C 7350 BC (?)  6
AKITA-KOMAGA-TAKE Honshu (Japan) T 7300 BC ± 300 years 4
SEGUAM Aleutian Islands R 7300 BC ± 1000 years 5?

POPOCATEPETL México C 7150 BC (?)  P
SAKURA-JIMA Kyushu (Japan) C 7150 BC (?)  4
KARKAR Northeast of New Guinea C 7140 BC ± 150 years C
ZHELTOVSKY Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) T 7050 BC ± 1000 years 5
AKAN Hokkaido (Japan) C 7050 BC (?)  4

ORIZABA, PICO DE México C 7030 BC ± 50 years 4
SHIKOTSU Hokkaido (Japan) C 6950 BC (?)  5
LLAIMA Central Chile C 6880 BC ± 75 years 5
ORIZABA, PICO DE México C 6710 BC ± 150 years 5?
VILLARRICA Central Chile C 6690 BC (?)  P

CAMPI FLEGREI Italy C 6650 BC ± 100 years 4
TOWADA Honshu (Japan) C 6650 BC ± 300 years 5?
PELEE West Indies G 6610 BC ± 150 years 4?
KARYMSKY Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) G 6600 BC (?)  6
MASHU Hokkaido (Japan) C 6600 BC ± 50 years 6

KURILE LAKE Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) G 6440 BC ± 25 years 7
KIZIMEN Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) C 6400 BC ± 50 years 5
AKITA-KOMAGA-TAKE Honshu (Japan) T 6400 BC ± 500 years 4
OKMOK Aleutian Islands C 6310 BC ± 500 years P
PELEE West Indies G 6220 BC ± 200 years P

SAKURA-JIMA Kyushu (Japan) C 6200 BC ± 1000 years 6
OKATAINA New Zealand G 6150 BC (?)  5
QUILL, THE West Indies C 6140 BC ± 200 years P
MAKUSHIN Aleutian Islands C 6100 BC ± 50 years 5
BARVA Costa Rica T 6050 BC ± 1000 years P

MEIDOB VOLC FIELD Northern Africa N 6050 BC ± 1000 years P
MENENGAI Eastern Africa C 6050 BC (?)  6
KRASHENINNIKOV Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) C 6000 BC ± 50 years 4
AVACHINSKY Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) G 5980 BC ± 100 years 5+
VESUVIUS Italy C 5960 BC ± 100 years 5

ROMERAL Colombia C 5950 BC ± 500 years P
MERU Eastern Africa C 5850 BC (?)  P
KRASHENINNIKOV Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) C 5800 BC ± 50 years 4
ILYINSKY Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) T 5700 BC ± 50 years C
KHANGAR Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) G 5700 BC ± 16 years 6

CRATER LAKE Oregon (USA) I 5677 BC ± 150 years Oct 15 ± 45 days 7
TAO-RUSYR CALDERA Kuril Islands C 5550 BC ± 75 years 6
MIYAKE-JIMA Izu Islands (Japan) T 5550 BC ± 500 years 4
PELEE West Indies G 5500 BC ± 200 years P
ICHINSKY Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) T 5400 BC (?)  5

ANIAKCHAK Alaska Peninsula T 5250 BC ± 1000 years 6?
KSUDACH Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) G 5200 BC (?)  5
POPOCATEPETL México C 5150 BC (?)  P
TAVUI New Britain N 5150 BC ± 1000 years 5
CRATER LAKE Oregon (USA) C 5070 BC ± 50 years 6

ARENAL Costa Rica G 5060 BC ± 150 years 4?
TOWADA Honshu (Japan) T 5050 BC (?)  4
ILIAMNA Southwestern Alaska C 5050 BC (?)  P
HEKLA Southern Iceland G 5050 BC (?)  5
KSUDACH Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) G 4900 BC (?)  5+

HUDSON, CERRO Southern Chile C 4750 BC (?)  6
TAUPO New Zealand G 4700 BC (?)  4
KOMAGA-TAKE Hokkaido (Japan) G 4600 BC ± 50 years 5
AVACHINSKY Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) G 4550 BC ± 200 years 4
MASAYA Nicaragua T 4550 BC (?)  5

AVACHINSKY Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) G 4460 BC ± 100 years 4
KIZIMEN Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) T 4450 BC (?)  4
MAYOR ISLAND New Zealand C 4390 BC ± 200 years 5
MACAULEY ISLAND Kermadec Islands C 4360 BC ± 200 years 6?
KOMAGA-TAKE Hokkaido (Japan) G 4350 BC (?)  P

KIRISHIMA Kyushu (Japan) C 4350 BC (?)  4
KIKAI Ryukyu Islands (Japan) C 4350 BC (?)  7
AVACHINSKY Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) G 4340 BC ± 75 years 5
BRAVO, CERRO Colombia C 4280 BC ± 150 years 4
APOYEQUE Nicaragua C 4160 BC ± 30 years 5

MEIDOB VOLC FIELD Northern Africa T 4150 BC ± 1000 years P
TAUPO New Zealand G 4100 BC (?)  4
KANAGA Aleutian Islands C 4050 BC (?)  C
ARENAL Costa Rica T 3900 BC (?)  4
KAGUYAK Alaska Peninsula C 3850 BC (?)  5?

PELEE West Indies C 3820 BC (?)  P
AVACHINSKY Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) G 3790 BC ± 100 years 4
KUJU Kyushu (Japan) G 3780 BC ± 500 years 4
PAGO New Britain C 3680 BC ± 100 years 6?
MAKUSHIN Aleutian Islands T 3650 BC ± 1000 years P

OKATAINA New Zealand G 3650 BC (?)  5
TAAL Luzon (Philippines) C 3580 BC ± 200 years 6
PINATUBO Luzon (Philippines) G 3550 BC (?)  6
SAKURA-JIMA Kyushu (Japan) C 3550 BC ± 500 years 4
PELEE West Indies T 3500 BC ± 200 years P

TOWADA Honshu (Japan) C 3440 BC ± 150 years 5+
PELEE West Indies G 3430 BC ± 75 years 4?
TAUPO New Zealand G 3400 BC (?)  4
ARENAL Costa Rica T 3350 BC (?)  4
TAUPO New Zealand G 3300 BC (?)  4

AVACHINSKY Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) G 3200 BC ± 150 years 5
KARYMSKY Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) G 3200 BC (?)  4
FISHER Aleutian Islands C 3170 BC ± 75 years 5
ZHELTOVSKY Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) C 3050 BC (?)  5
MEIDOB VOLC FIELD Northern Africa T 3050 BC (?)  P

SETE CIDADES Azores T 3050 BC (?)  4
POPOCATEPETL México C 3010 BC ± 200 years P
MEIDOB VOLC FIELD Northern Africa T 3000 BC (?)  P
KSUDACH Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) T 3000 BC (?)  4
AGUA DE PAU Azores C 2990 BC (?)  5

TAUPO New Zealand G 2900 BC (?)  4
SAKURA-JIMA Kyushu (Japan) C 2900 BC (?)  4
ARENAL Costa Rica T 2800 BC (?)  4
KIKHPINYCH Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) G 2780 BC ± 25 years 4
FOURNAISE, PITON DE LA Western Indian Ocean G 2700 BC (?)  5?

IBUSUKI VOLC FIELD Kyushu (Japan) C 2690 BC ± 75 years 5
PELEE West Indies G 2660 BC ± 200 years 4?
NUMAZAWA Honshu (Japan) C 2650 BC (?)  5
TOLMACHEV DOL Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) C 2650 BC (?)  5
TAUPO New Zealand G 2600 BC (?)  4

DONA JUANA Colombia C 2550 BC ± 150 years C
ASAMA Honshu (Japan) A 2550 BC ± 500 years 4
APOYEQUE Nicaragua T 2550 BC ± 1000 years 5
KANAGA Aleutian Islands C 2550 BC (?)  C
AVACHINSKY Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) G 2530 BC ± 300 years 4

CAMPI FLEGREI Italy T 2500 BC (?)  4
ATACAZO Ecuador C 2490 BC ± 40 years P
KUJU Kyushu (Japan) G 2440 BC  4
PELEE West Indies C 2430 BC (?)  P
COLIMA México C 2370 BC ± 150 years 4?

ST. HELENS Washington (USA) G 2340 BC (?)  5
HEKLA Southern Iceland G 2310 BC ± 20 years 5
ORIZABA, PICO DE México C 2300 BC ± 75 years 4
BURNEY, MONTE Southern Chile G 2290 BC ± 100 years 5
KARYMSKY Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) G 2250 BC (?)  4

GALUNGGUNG Java (Indonesia) C 2250 BC ± 150 years 5?
ARENAL Costa Rica T 2250 BC (?)  4
CHANGBAISHAN Eastern China C 2160 BC ± 100 years P
CAMPI FLEGREI Italy C 2150 BC ± 500 years 5
ILIAMNA Southwestern Alaska C 2050 BC (?)  P

MIYAKE-JIMA Izu Islands (Japan) T 2050 BC (?)  4
ILYINSKY Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) C 2050 BC (?)  5?
LONG ISLAND Northeast of New Guinea C 2040 BC ± 100 years 6
LIAMUIGA West Indies C 2010 BC ± 150 years P
IBUSUKI VOLC FIELD Kyushu (Japan) T 2010 BC (?)  4

CAMPI FLEGREI Italy T 2000 BC ± 150 years 4
MARRA, JEBEL Northern Africa G 2000 BC (?)  C
RAOUL ISLAND Kermadec Islands C 2000 BC ± 100 years 4
TOLIMA, NEVADO DEL Colombia G 1990 BC ± 200 years 5?
PARKER Philippines - Mindanao C 1920 BC ± 40 years P

BLACK PEAK Alaska Peninsula T 1900 BC ± 150 years 6
VESUVIUS Italy G 1900 BC ± 150 years 5
HUDSON, CERRO Southern Chile G 1890 BC (?)  6
DANA Alaska Peninsula C 1890 BC (?)  5
CAMPI FLEGREI Italy C 1870 BC ± 50 years 4

ST. HELENS Washington (USA) G 1860 BC (?)  6
RINCON DE LA VIEJA Costa Rica G 1820 BC ± 150 years 4
VILLARRICA Central Chile C 1810 BC ± 200 years 5
VESUVIUS Italy G 1800 BC ± 200 years 4
IBUSUKI VOLC FIELD Kyushu (Japan) T 1780 BC (?)  4

ST. HELENS Washington (USA) T 1770 BC ± 100 years 5
SANBE Honshu (Japan) C 1760 BC ± 150 years 4?
IZU-TOBU Honshu (Japan) C 1750 BC ± 100 years 4+
VENIAMINOF Alaska Peninsula C 1750 BC (?)  6
EGMONT [TARANAKI] New Zealand C 1700 BC ± 100 years 5

ASO Kyushu (Japan) G 1700 BC ± 50 years P
ARENAL Costa Rica T 1650 BC (?)  4
CAMPI FLEGREI Italy T 1650 BC (?)  4
KATLA Southern Iceland T 1650 BC (?)  4
ANIAKCHAK Alaska Peninsula I 1645 BC ± 10 years 6?

SANTORINI Greece G 1610 BC ± 14 years 7?
TAUPO New Zealand G 1600 BC (?)  6
HEKLA Southern Iceland T 1550 BC (?)  4
HAYES Southwestern Alaska T 1550 BC (?)  5
AVACHINSKY Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) G 1500 BC (?)  5

IBUSUKI VOLC FIELD Kyushu (Japan) T 1500 BC (?)  4
ETNA Italy 1500 BC ± 50 years 5?
OKATAINA New Zealand C 1490 BC ± 75 years 4+
ARENAL Costa Rica T 1450 BC (?)  4
VESUVIUS Italy G 1430 BC ± 300 years 4

PAGO New Britain C 1420 BC ± 100 years 6
FUJI Honshu (Japan) T 1350 BC (?)  5
YUCAMANE Perú C 1320 BC (?)  5
BRAVO, CERRO Colombia C 1310 BC ± 150 years 4
AGUA DE PAU Azores C 1290 BC (?)  4

AGUILERA Southern Chile G 1250 BC ± 150 years 5
ARENAL Costa Rica G 1250 BC ± 200 years 4
RAOUL ISLAND Kermadec Islands C 1200 BC ± 150 years 4
KATLA Southern Iceland C 1190 BC ± 40 years 4
MERAPI Java (Indonesia) C 1180 BC ± 75 years P

CUICOCHA Ecuador C 1150 BC ± 150 years 5
IZU-TOBU Honshu (Japan) C 1090 BC ± 200 years 4+
TOWADA Honshu (Japan) T 1050 BC (?)  4+
APOYEQUE Nicaragua T 1050 BC ± 1000 years 4
PINATUBO Luzon (Philippines) G 1050 BC ± 500 years 6

BRAVO, CERRO Colombia T 1050 BC ± 200 years 4
KHODUTKA Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) T 1050 BC (in or before) 4+
KANAGA Aleutian Islands C 1050 BC (?)  C
KIRISHIMA Kyushu (Japan) T 1050 BC (?)  4
FUJI Honshu (Japan) T 1030 BC (?)  4+

TUNGURAHUA Ecuador C 1010 BC ± 100 years 5
KUJU Kyushu (Japan) G 990 BC ± 1000 years 4
HEKLA Southern Iceland G 950 BC (?)  5+
ASO Kyushu (Japan) G 950 BC (?)  P
KHODUTKA Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) G 930 BC ± 100 years 5

AZUFRAL Colombia C 930 BC (?)  P
FUJI Honshu (Japan) C 930 BC (in or after) 5
SOLLIPULLI Central Chile C 920 BC ± 75 years 5+
TAUPO New Zealand G 900 BC (?)  4
VESUVIUS Italy G 890 BC ± 100 years 4

RUIZ, NEVADO DEL Colombia T 850 BC (?)  4
TAUPO New Zealand G 850 BC (?)  4+
ZAVARITSKY Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) C 850 BC (?)  4+
TENGGER CALDERA Java (Indonesia) C 830 BC ± 50 years P
YANTARNI Alaska Peninsula T 800 BC ± 500 years 5

MIYAKE-JIMA Izu Islands (Japan) T 800 BC ± 300 years 4+
MOMOTOMBO Nicaragua C 800 BC ± 50 years 4+
SHIVELUCH Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) G 780 BC ± 300 years 5
CONCEPCION Nicaragua C 770 BC ± 50 years P
BRAVO, CERRO Colombia C 730 BC ± 75 years 4+

KATLA Southern Iceland C 710 BC ± 50 years 4
PULULAGUA Ecuador C 690 BC ± 150 years 5
KRAFLA Northeastern Iceland T 650 BC (?)  4
IBUSUKI VOLC FIELD Kyushu (Japan) T 650 BC (?)  4
PELEE West Indies G 590 BC ± 200 years 4?

KILAUEA Hawaiian Islands T 570 BC ± 300 years 4?
TONGARIRO New Zealand C 550 BC ± 200 years 5
SHIKOTSU Hokkaido (Japan) C 550 BC (?)  5
ST. HELENS Washington (USA) G 530 BC (?)  5
BEZYMIANNY Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) G 450 BC (?)  4

PULULAGUA Ecuador C 450 BC ± 150 years C
PELEE West Indies C 440 BC (?)  P
AOGA-SHIMA Izu Islands (Japan) C 430 BC ± 200 years 4
MEAGER Canada C 400 BC ± 50 years 5?
ARENAL Costa Rica G 380 BC ± 200 years 4

SOUTH SISTER Oregon (USA) C 350 BC (?)  4
ATACAZO Ecuador C 320 BC ± 16 years P
RAINIER Washington (USA) G 300 BC (?)  4
IBUSUKI VOLC FIELD Kyushu (Japan) T 270 BC (?)  4
TUNGURAHUA Ecuador C 270 BC  4?

ARENAL Costa Rica T 270 BC (?)  4
RAOUL ISLAND Kermadec Islands C 250 BC ± 75 years 6
ANTILLANCA GROUP Central Chile G 230 BC ± 200 years