Last updated: January 2, 2025

Volcanoes and supervolcanoes of Earth

A planet shaped by internal fire

Earth has about 1,500 active terrestrial volcanoes, of which about sixty erupt each year. These structures, whether underwater or on land, bear witness to our planet's internal activity: heat from the mantle brings magma upward, which pierces the crust and builds volcanic landforms over time.

Phenomena capable of disrupting the climate

Volcanoes can cause major climate disruptions. During certain eruptions, immense quantities of ash and aerosols are projected into the atmosphere, reflecting sunlight and causing temporary global cooling. Supervolcanoes, much rarer, are capable of releasing colossal energy that could durably affect Earth's environment.

Complex structures formed by the accumulation of materials

A volcano forms through the ejection and accumulation of materials from rising magma: lava flows, ash, lapilli, and other tephra. The nature of these materials, their viscosity, and their emission style determine the shape of the volcano, whether a steep cone, a broad shield, or a caldera resulting from a spectacular collapse.

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