volcanoes | EarthSky

A bright, distant light with a river of lava below and glowing clouds above.

The biggest US supervolcanoes you’ve never heard of

Two of the biggest US supervolcanoes erupted millions of years ago, and you’ve probably never heard of them: Wah Wah Springs and La Garita.

Orbital view of small volcano with a crater in the top. A line of elongated pits is next to it.

The most recent volcanoes on Mars were surprisingly active

Scientists studied orbital data of minerals from recent volcanoes on Mars and found they were more complex than they expected, with ongoing eruptions.

A big mountain with some parts of its surface covered in snow. There are many trees in the foreground.

Cascade volcanoes still have large pools of magma

Researchers have used seismometers to discover pools of lava sitting under dormant Cascade volcanoes in the Pacific Northwest.

Huge rock from space hitting the ocean near the edge of a continent causing a gigantic splash.

Blame asteroid for demise of dinosaurs, not volcanoes

Did an asteroid cause the demise of dinosaurs? Or was it volcanoes, or both? A new study said the huge Chicxulub asteroid impact is still to blame.

Partial view of brownish planet-like Part of pinkish planet-like sphere pockmarked with bright and dark splotches and tall, isolated peaks.

Io’s raging volcanoes are self-powered

Does Jupiter's moon Io have a global subsurface magma ocean? A new study said no, and that Io's raging volcanoes are self-powered with their own magma pools.

Light gray planet-like sphere with dark, flat regions and many craters on its surface.

Moon’s volcanoes were erupting only 120 million years ago

Scientists in China, studying samples brought back by the Chang’e-5 mission, say that the moon's volcanoes were active as recently as 120 million years ago.

Satellite view of Io showing some dark spots for volcanos and 2 plumes on the edge.

Lava lakes on Io: Juno zooms in on Io’s volcanoes

NASA's Juno spacecraft flew in close to Io and studied lava lakes, gleaning new information on the volcanic processes on this active volcanic moon.

Large rounded mountain seen from above, with craters on top.

Spotted! Water frost on Mars volcanoes for 1st time

For the 1st time, an orbiting spacecraft has detected water frost on Mars volcanoes. The daily amount of frost could fill 60 Olympic swimming pools.

Tall bright yellow and brown mound with brighter patches and crack-like lines around it.

Active Venus volcanoes revealed again in Magellan data

In a new analysis of radar data from the Magellan spacecraft, scientists have found more evidence for active Venus volcanoes.

A piece of a round globe, with a volcanic plume extending over one edge.

Io’s volcanoes have been erupting for billions of years

A new study reveals Io's volcanoes have been erupting for billions of years, ever since the small moon of Jupiter 1st formed along with our solar system.

Colorful concentric rings on map of US covering area from California to Missouri.

Can supervolcanoes cause a major cooling?

It was long thought supervolcanoes could cause eruptions that could blot out sunlight and result in major cooling on Earth. A new study says not so fast.

Large volcano on brown terrain seen from above, with wide slopes and distinct central crater.

Ancient volcanoes on Mars were diverse

Researchers in China and the U.S. said ancient active volcanoes on Mars were more diverse than previously known, despite a lack of plate tectonics.

The Ring of Fire, where volcanoes and earthquakes reign

The Ring of Fire is home to the majority of Earth's volcanoes and earthquakes. This region rings the Pacific Ocean where tectonic plates interact.

Media we love: Super Volcanoes

"Super Volcanoes" by Robin George Andrews is about the superiority of volcanoes, from Yellowstone's supervolcano to icy geysers in the outer solar system.

A series of bumps in rainbow colors indicating height on a dark background.

Scientists find 19,000 undersea volcanoes

A team of scientists has just discovered more than 19,000 undersea volcanoes, aka seamounts. This almost doubles how many we knew existed before.

Orbital view of a white landscape with thin brown wisps emanating from a central point.

See 13 volcanoes from space in this video

See 13 volcanoes from space in this new video from the European Space Agency. Plus, learn about the recently active volcanoes on the Kamchatka Peninsula.

Mars' map with 16 description boxes at bottom filled with names of Mars' locations and spacecraft names.

Navigate a new Mars map of craters and volcanoes

A new Mars map mosaic lets scientists and the public alike zoom in on surface features on the red planet. Learn more about this interactive map here.

Volcanoes on Venus … Wow! New map here

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have compiled a new global map of the known volcanoes on Venus ... All 85,000 of them.

Computer-generated 3D image of a orange volcanic mountain.

Active volcanoes on Venus found in Magellan data

Scientists have evidence for an active volcanic vent on a known Venus mountain. It's the first direct evidence of active volcanoes on Venus!

Round gray moon with craters, long cracks and a reddish stain on top.

Was Charon’s red cap formed by cryovolcanoes?

Why does Pluto's moon Charon look red on top? A new study from researchers at Purdue University suggests that cryovolcanic eruptions created Charon's red cap.

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The biggest US supervolcanoes you’ve never heard of

The most recent volcanoes on Mars were surprisingly active

Cascade volcanoes still have large pools of magma

Blame asteroid for demise of dinosaurs, not volcanoes

Io’s raging volcanoes are self-powered

Moon’s volcanoes were erupting only 120 million years ago

Lava lakes on Io: Juno zooms in on Io’s volcanoes

Spotted! Water frost on Mars volcanoes for 1st time

Active Venus volcanoes revealed again in Magellan data

Io’s volcanoes have been erupting for billions of years

Can supervolcanoes cause a major cooling?

Ancient volcanoes on Mars were diverse

The Ring of Fire, where volcanoes and earthquakes reign

Media we love: Super Volcanoes

Scientists find 19,000 undersea volcanoes

See 13 volcanoes from space in this video

Navigate a new Mars map of craters and volcanoes

Volcanoes on Venus … Wow! New map here

Active volcanoes on Venus found in Magellan data

Was Charon’s red cap formed by cryovolcanoes?