Top 10 most explosive volcanic eruptions*

Lava, lava, everywhere. You wouldn't want to be near these volcanoes when they erupt.


1. Lake Toba

Volume of erupted tephra**: 2,800km3 (that’s 376 Loch Nesses!)

When: 74,000 years ago

2. Pacana Caldera

Volume of erupted tephra: 2,500km3

When: 4,000,000 years ago

3. Whakamaru

Volume of erupted tephra: 2,000km3

When: 340,000 years ago

4. Taupo

Volume of erupted tephra: 1,170km3

When: 26,500 years ago

5. Cerro Galán

Volume of erupted tephra: 1,050km3

When: 2,200,000 years ago

6. Yellowstone Creek

Volume of erupted tephra: 1,000km3

When: 640,000 years ago

7. Long Valley Caldera

Volume of erupted tephra: 580km3

When: 760,000 years ago

8. Tambora

Volume of erupted tephra: 160km3

When: 1815

9. Crater Lake

Volume of erupted tephra: 50km3

When: 7,600 years ago

10. Krakatoa

Volume of erupted tephra: 25km3

When: 1883

* Since early humans evolved, 4,000,000 years ago

**Rock fragments and particles