Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

NCEI/WDS Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database, 4360 BC to Present

Published by NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce | Catalog Last Checked: April 12, 2026 at 02:27 AM | Dataset Last Updated: March 23, 2001 at 12:00 AM
The Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database is a global listing of over 600 eruptions from 4360 BC to the present. A significant eruption is classified as one that meets at least one of the following criteria: caused fatalities, caused moderate damage (approximately $1 million or more), Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 6 or greater, generated a tsunami, or was associated with a significant earthquake. The database provides information on the latitude, longitude, elevation, type of volcano, last known eruption, VEI index, and socio-economic data such as the total number of casualties, injuries, houses destroyed, and houses damaged, and $ dollage damage estimates. References, political geography, and additional comments are also provided for each eruption. If the eruption was associated with a tsunami or significant earthquake, it is flagged and linked to the related database. For a complete list of current and past activity for all volcanoes on the planet active during the last 10,000 years, please see Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Resources

4 resources available

  • Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database

    TEXT/HTML
  • Natural Hazards Map Viewer - Significant Volcanic Eruptions Layer

    TEXT/HTML
  • NGDC Natural Hazards Website

    TEXT/HTML
  • GCMD Keyword Forum Page

    TEXT/HTML

Find Related Datasets

data.gov

An official website of the GSA's Technology Transformation Services

Looking for U.S. government information and services?
Visit USA.gov