If you want to see at a glance where the Earth is shaking and which volcanoes are currently erupting, here's a global interactive map Designed for consultation at any time. Visually appealing. active volcanoes and recent earthquakes In a single view, with near real-time data and tools to filter by magnitude, date, location, or activity level. It's a quick, clear, and engaging way to understand how the planet is breathing.
This viewer draws on data from various official sources and volcanic and seismic monitoring projects that work daily to provide reliable information. Thanks to the efforts of teams like Volcanodiscovery and MirovaThanks to data from numerous national and international geological services, it's possible to track the evolution of earthquakes, alerts, and eruptions with a level of detail that was unimaginable until recently. And yes, all of this is displayed on a map you can explore with your mouse or your finger.
How to read the map: symbols, colors, and quick filters
On the map you will see two basic shapes: the Triangles indicate volcanoes and the circles represent recent earthquakesClicking on any icon opens a small window with basic information such as the volcano's name, height, alert status, or, in the case of an earthquake, magnitude, time, and depth. This allows you to navigate and get context almost instantly.
The system uses a very intuitive color code for volcanoes. Green means normal operation; Yellow indicates above-average behavior; Orange suggests a clear increase in activity with a high probability of dangerous episodes; Red marks the maximum level. emissions and ongoing eruptive phenomenaThis traffic light is designed to help you recognize the risk in seconds.
At the top, next to the map, you'll find shortcuts to change the display criteria. You can switch between list and map, filter by magnitude with options like All, Greater than M3, Greater than M4, Greater than M5, Greater than M6, or M7+, and also select time windows such as last 24 hours, 48 hours, last week, or last 2 weeks. If you're interested in a longer review, the viewer allows you to consult the Historical file.
In addition to earthquake filters, you can limit volcanoes by state. With a tap, you can show all cones, focus on those with slight instability, see which ones have warnings suggesting a major eruption is imminent, or focus on those already erupting. This selection is especially useful if you're looking for volcanoes are erupting right now Or if you're planning a trip and want to know what's nearby.
In the upper left corner you can change the background map type. There are terrain, satellite, hybrid, road views, and a very informative layer of plate boundariesThe plate model is fantastic for relating volcanic chains and seismic swarms at a glance. tectonic boundaries.
Advanced features: alerts, geological layers, and detailed data
The viewer is not limited to painting points. It integrates near real-time notifications for earthquakes and volcanoes, and allows you to create customized alerts by zone User-defined, and incorporates very complete information for each event: from magnitude and energy released to depth and aftershocks. You can also sort earthquakes by date or size, and narrow your search by continent, country, or even state or province.
Beyond the tectonic plate layer, the map includes thousands of active faults, detailed plate boundaries, and special listings such as earthquakes near active volcanoes, which can indicate volcanic activity. You will also find a earthquake archive since 2012Statistics by magnitude, energy or depth over time, and ground shaking maps when estimates are available.
To save data, the application uses its own highly compressed format and can optionally load information in the background. If you're missing any features, there's a channel for submitting requests and feedback, which helps prioritize improvements. Upcoming features include the integration of More data sources and a specific section for seismic news.
It also highlights that the most significant earthquakes, those above magnitude 6.0, remain accessible for much longer, up to a year, to facilitate analysis and comparisons. In parallel, the volcano database includes over 1600 active and dormant cones with detailed profiles, including lists of historical eruptions and the eruptive style of each, allowing for contextualization. the potential danger of each system.
Official sources and centers that feed the map
The aggregated information comes from dozens of national and international agencies. Among the main ones are... USGS In the United States, the EMSC; in Europe, the IMO; in Iceland, the INGV; in Italy, the IGN; in Spain, the IGN. GeoNet in New Zealand or NRCAN in Canada, among others. This diversity is key to providing good coverage across the globe, including remote regions.
The current set of sources includes, among others, the following institutions: the British Geological Survey of the United Kingdom; the China Earthquake Information Centre; the Russian Academy of Sciences for Kamchatka; the European-Mediterranean Seismological Center in France; the National Geographic Institute of Spain; the Icelandic Met Office; the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology of Italy; Geoscience Australia; the Earthquake Commission and GNS Science of New Zealand; the German GFZ; the National Seismological Center of the University of Chile; KOERI in Turkey; Natural Resources Canada; PHIVOLCS in the Philippines; the Swiss Seismological Service; the National Seismological Service of Mexico; and the USGS.
It's important to remember that, although aggregation and quality control are constant, occasional delays or incomplete data may always occur. Therefore, the project includes a disclaimer clarifying that, despite extreme care in data collection, Absolute exhaustiveness cannot be guaranteed nor the uninterrupted operation of the service at all times.
Active and monitored volcanoes: an overview by region
The picture changes daily, but there are some hotspots worth keeping a close eye on. Here's a summary of several areas recently identified by monitoring centers, grouped by region, with a mention of the type of activity observed or the level of monitoring. The names leave no room for doubt: They are well-known volcanoes in their respective areas.
Iceland
- Svartsengi, on the Reykjanes Peninsula, shows signs that warrant close monitoring.
- Katla, in the south of the island, a classic that is always monitored very closely.
Indonesia
- Dukono (Halmahera), with persistent eruptive activity over time.
- Ibu (Halmahera), frequent emissions and ash episodes.
- Marapi (West Sumatra), recent eruptions and behavioral changes.
- Krakatau (Sunda Strait), in an intermittent eruptive phase.
- Merapi (Central Java), dome extrusion and recurrent eruptive signals.
- Semeru (East Java), explosions and lava flows under observation.
- Lewotolo (Lesser Sunda Islands), active eruptive episodes.
- Lewotobi (Flores), activity with the presence of emissions.
- Seulawah Agam (Sumatra), under warning for increased signals.
- Karangetang (Siau Island, Sangihe), with warnings for increased activity.
- Ruang (Sangihe Islands), heightened alerts for possible major event.
- Gamalama (Halmahera), warnings in force due to recent changes.
- Kerinci (Sumatra), reinforced precaution levels.
- Dempo (Sumatra), with surveillance by internal signals.
- Raung (East Java), monitored for possible reactivation.
- Agung (Bali), under alert for notable variations.
- Lokon-Empung (North Sulawesi), symptoms of instability.
- Bromo (Eastern Java), low to moderate recurrent activity.
- Ijen (East Java), agitation with notable gas emission.
- Inielika (Flores), signs of internal agitation under observation.
Aleutians, Alaska and North America
- Iliamna (Cook Inlet), with indications that justify enhanced surveillance.
- Katmai (Alaska Peninsula), under alert for internal activity.
- Shishaldin (Aleutian Islands), recent episodes and continued monitoring.
- Korovin (Andranof Islands), with warnings in force.
- Great Sitkin (Aleutian Islands), high level of observation due to detected changes.
Ring of Fire: from the Kurils to the Philippines
- Shiveluch (Kamchatka), ongoing eruptions and recurring ash clouds.
- Klyuchevskoy (Kamchatka), with sustained eruptive activity.
- Bezymianny (Kamchatka), episodes of dome growth and broadcasting.
- Krasheninnikov (Kamchatka), active eruptive phase.
- Karymsky (Kamchatka), persistent activity with bursts.
- Ebeko (Paramushir, Kurils), frequent eruptions and ash.
- Kirishima (Kyushu, Japan), broadcast episodes and signs of unrest.
- Sakurajima (Kyushu, Japan), frequent explosions and maximum surveillance.
- Suwanose-jima (Ryukyu, Japan), recurrent eruptive activity.
- Iwo-jima (Volcano Islands, Japan), morphological changes and gas release.
- Bulusan (Luzon, Philippines), active eruptive phase.
- Canlaon (Central Philippines), recent emissions and shocks.
- Alaid (Northern Kurils), under warning for increasing activity.
- Akan (Hokkaido, Japan), surveillance for recorded anomalies.
- Kikai (Ryukyu, Japan), preventive notices for internal changes.
- Nishino-shima (Volcano Islands, Japan), episodes of lava and ash emission.
- Taal (Luzon, Philippines), warnings for instability and gases.
- Mayon (Luzon, Philippines), close monitoring due to high activity.
- Towada (Honshu, Japan), signs of agitation are monitored.
- Aso (Central Kyushu, Japan), level changes with emissions.
- Kuchinoerabu-jima (Ryukyu, Japan), signs of agitation and continuous control.
In other areas of the world, activity comes and goes. In MexicoIn Central America and the Caribbean, as well as in South America, the specific list of active volcanoes changes frequently, although names that often feature in recent events are closely monitored. In Colombia, for example, Nevado del Huila, Nevado del Ruiz, Galeras, and El Machín are carefully monitored due to their history and the earthquakes felt by the populationIn Chile, seismic stations maintain surveillance over the Nevados de Chillán, Villarrica and Copahue volcanoes.
In Spain, the main volcanic activity is concentrated in the Canary Islands. An underwater eruption was observed near La Restinga on El Hierro, and the TeideThe second highest peak in Europe in terms of volcanic prominence, is a scientific landmark due to its structure and its geological historyThe largest group of active volcanoes on the planet, by density, is found in the Malay Archipelago, between mainland Asia and Australia, where Indonesia concentrates many of the most monitored systems in the world.
Thematic layers of seismology and risk maps
In addition to the base layer of recent earthquakes, the viewer includes thematic maps to better understand the impact of the events. Among them is a map with the earthquakes in the last 30 days above magnitude 2,5highlighting the larger ones, and ground shaking maps when estimates are available for the most significant events.
You can also explore valuable historical data: a list of the largest earthquakes since 1900; a seismic hazard map that measures the probability of an event occurring in a specific area; a seismic risk map that combines probability and potential impact; and an exposure map that quantifies population, infrastructure, and potential hazards. economic lossesIn addition, global geological mapping with lithological units and faults is used to put each earthquake into context.
For those who appreciate the details, there are interactive statistics: magnitude distribution, energy released, depths, and their evolution over time. It's a perfect tool for those who want to understand what differentiates a surface swarm from an isolated event at great depth, or for those who wish to compare periods of abnormal activity in different regions of the world.
Express guide to volcanoes: what they are, how they are formed and why they erupt
A volcano is an opening in the Earth's crust through which lava, ash, and gases from the planet's interior are released to the surface. Most form at plate boundaries, where constant movement (sometimes of just a few centimeters per year) allows magma to rise. Simply put, they are internal energy exhaust valves from the earth.
There are several types. Stratovolcanoes are built up in layers by the accumulation of ash and rock fragments, resulting in imposing, conical mountains. Shield volcanoes, on the other hand, are formed by very fluid lava flows that extend over long periods, creating landscapes with gentle profiles. Occasionally, secondary cones or daughter volcanoes appear within ancient calderas, as is the case with some emblematic systems from the Mediterranean.
For a volcano to erupt, a great deal of internal pressure is needed. High temperatures melt the rock, gases accumulate and rise. When the pressure exceeds the rock's resistance, the system bursts and is released in seconds, not unlike a cork popping from a bottle. At that moment, the volcano eruptsMagma, gases, and blocks are ejected, and dangerous ash clouds and pyroclastic flows can form.
Inside, a volcano is basically a magma factory. While it's underground, we call it magma; when it reaches the surface, it's called lava. Drones and sensors have allowed us to peer into active craters and see lava lakes and incandescent flows—an impressive sight that helps us understand why volcanoes are so powerful. security protocols They are so strict in active areas.
In terms of records, Mauna Loa in Hawaii is one of the planet's giants by volume, rising over 4.000 meters above sea level and extending just as far underwater, totaling almost 10 km in height from its submerged base. In the Andes Mountains, Nevado Ojos del Salado, on the border of Chile and Argentina, reaches 6.893 meters in altitude, making it the tallest volcano measured from sea level. And speaking of modern eruptive violence, the great eruption of 1815 in Indonesia, associated with Mount Tambora, left a devastating toll. climate impact global during the following year.
Usage and safety tips: from map to terrain
The map is an informational and monitoring tool, but in emergency situations, local authorities always have jurisdiction. If a volcano icon is red and there are emissions, it is advisable to strictly follow civil protection instructions. Orange indicates extra caution, while yellow suggests activity above normal And green indicates a stable state. A quick glance at the traffic light helps you make sensible decisions without becoming overly alarmed.
For more effective use, create custom alerts in your area of interest and filter by magnitude and age. If you want to know if you likely felt an earthquake, activate notifications that assess the estimated shaking based on distance and energy. And if you'd like to contribute, you can send perception reports When you feel a tremor: they help improve intensity models.
Support the project and what to expect next
These types of platforms thrive thanks to the community. A positive review in your favorite app store or on Google helps sustain development, iron out bugs, and add new features. The team is working on integrating more sources, expanding seismic news, and improving map performance with background loadsIf you have an idea, the suggestion channel is open.
Finally, an important warning: although the sources are reputable and every effort is made to ensure quality and speed, the data may contain errors or be subject to delays. Consider this a highly reliable reference panel, but never a substitute for official information in emergencies. If in doubt, always consult the authorities. local geological services.
With all of the above, you now have a solid guide for interpreting the map, understanding its color code, using the filters, and exploring layers of risk, geology, and statistics. Between the live list of active volcanoes by region, the historical data on major earthquakes, the plate and fault layer, and the configurable alerts, the tool allows you to go from a global overview to fine details in seconds, making it an excellent resource for curious individuals, students, and professionals who want to follow the seismic and volcanic activity of the planet with criteria.
