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There are approximately 1,500 active volcanoes worldwide. A volcano is considered active if it has erupted in the last 10,000 years. Over 75% of the world’s volcanoes and most active volcanoes are located in the Pacific Ring of Fire. Do you know where these 3 active volcanoes are located? They can all be climbed by tourists.
Hint: If you need to learn the language of any of these three countries, we offer them at Your Language Connection.

Stromboli is one of the most active volcanoes on Earth and has been erupting almost continuously since 1932. Because it has been active for much of the last 2,000 years and its eruptions are visible for long distances at night, it is known as the “Lighthouse of the Mediterranean”. It is among the world’s most visited volcanoes.

Stromboli is widely known for its spectacular eruptions which jet fountains of molten rock from its lava-filled central crater. Because these eruptions are so distinctive and well known, geologists use the word “Strombolian” to clearly describe similar eruptive activity at other volcanoes.

Mount Mayon is an active stratovolcano renowned as the “Perfect Cone” because of its almost perfectly conical shape. A level 2 alert is in force for Mayon because of increased activity in June-July 2009.
Mayon has had forty-nine eruptions in recorded history. The first recorded eruption was in 1616, the last major eruption ceased on 1 October 2006. The most destructive eruption occurred on February 1, 1814. Lava flowed, but the destruction was from the ash that buried the town of Cagsawa—only the bell tower of the town’s church remained above the new surface. Proximate areas were also devastated by the eruption with ash accumulating to 9 m (30 ft) in depth. 2,200 locals perished in what is considered to be the most lethal eruption in Mayon’s history.

Highly active Pacaya Volcano is the most frequently climbed volcano in this country. It is easily accessible and commonly puts on a good show for volcano enthusiasts.

Pacaya’s current active phase began in 1965, and the volcano has been almost constantly in eruption since then. Eruptive activity ranges from minor gaseous emissions and quiet steam eruptions, to explosions powerful enough to hurl bombs up to 12 kilometers and necessitate the evacuation of numerous villages on the flanks of the volcano. Eruptions also include strombolian activity, vulcanian explosions, minor flows from the crater, and larger flows emitted as flank eruptions.

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Stromboli is in Sicily, Italy
Mount Mayon is in the Philippines
Pacaya is in Guatemala