Volcanoes are some of the world's most extreme and violent environmental features, but which ones should you visit to see the right amount of action?  Worldreviewer.com 's volcano specialists include an author, photographer and NASA Scientist and between them they can tell you which volcanoes are smoking, glowing ruptures and which are a load of hot air. 

La Cumbre is the most active volcano in the Galapagos, with eruptions usually occurring every year or two. Like the other Galapagos volcanoes it exhibits the so-called Hawaiian style of eruption, with lava fountaining and floods of lava pouring out of flank fissures. Even when it is not erupting, Fernandina is arguably the most fascinating island to visit in the Galapagos due to the astonishing density of wildlife, in particular marine iguanas, flightless cormorants and sea lions.

Stromboli, Drauto, Italy

The tiny island of Stromboli is the place to go if you want to be sure you will see volcanic fireworks. Stromboli has been doing its show for over 2,000 years, with few intermissions. The explosions, which occur on average every 20 minutes, can be heard anywhere on the island. This volcanic island even has a type of eruption named after it - Strombolian - characterised by small and frequent explosions.

Mount St Helens, Mount Hood Village, Oregon, United States

Mount St Helens was a placid looking, scenic volcano until it erupted with devastating force in 1980. Renowned as the world’s best 'living volcano museum', the devastation is still there for all to see – the felled trees, the destroyed forests and the moon-like landscape which used to be lush. On a clear day, the other surrounding Cascade volcanoes are visible – any one of which could erupt with similarly devastating force.

Yasur Endou, Vanuatu

Not many people have been to Vanuatu, but Yasur is one of the best and most accessible active volcanoes in the world. A four wheel drive will take you nearly all of the way while the climb up the cone itself is easy and takes less than 10 minutes. The explosions are particularly spectacular at night.

Mt Pinatubo

Santol, Philippines

This volcano is not only responsible for the second largest eruption of the 20th century, it also occurred in most people's living memory. The huge eruption in June 1991 generated an ash column 7kms high. You can still visit the post eruption destruction and see the forests growing back out of cracks in the lava.

Vesuvius, Naples, Italy

This is one of history's most infamous volcanoes, thanks to the eruption in AD 79 that destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum and shook the Roman Empire. It is the only volcano on the European mainland to have erupted within the last hundred years, although it is not currently erupting.

Vulcano, Milazzo, Italy

Like Vesuvius, Vulcano has great historical significance; this is where the word 'volcano' comes from. Although it hasn't actually erupted since 1890, Vulcano occasionally stirs to the point where fissures in its crater start emitting a lot more gas and steam than normal.

Unzen, Shimabara, Japan

The notorious Unzen is the volcano that on June 3 1991 killed the daredevil husband and wife team of Maurice and Katia Kraft, world renowned as pioneers in filming, photographing and recording volcanoes, often getting within feet of lava flows. It erupted from 1991 to 1995, producing more frequent pyroclastic flows than any other eruption ever recorded. Unzen was also responsible for Japan's worst volcanic disaster in 1792, when it killed some 15,000 people.

Kilauea, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, United States

Kilauea is the ideal choice for anyone who wants to see an active volcano safely and easily. It started erupting 1983 and is still going strong. Kilauea is the best place in the world to see Hawaiian type eruptions - lava flows in tubes from the main vent down to the ocean - and seeing the lava enter the ocean, particularly at night, is an unforgettable sight.

Mount Etna, Italy

The largest volcano in Europe, Mount Etna is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and is in an almost constant state of eruption. Although it can occasionally be very destructive, it is not generally regarded as being particularly dangerous and thousands of people live on its slopes and in the surrounding areas.

Notes to Editors

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