Active Volcanoes: Fuego, Popocatépetl, Merapi & More!

Multiple volcanoes around the world are currently erupting, with activity reported in Russia, the Philippines, Indonesia, and several other regions as of March 20, 2026. Monitoring agencies are tracking the eruptions and issuing advisories as needed.

Volcanic Activity Summary – March 20, 2026

Shiveluch volcano in Kamchatka is currently exhibiting activity, though specific details from the Volcanic Ash Advisory Center Washington (VAAC) were not provided.

In the Philippines, Canlaon volcano erupted on March 20, 2026, at 1302Z, with ash extending southwest. The eruption continues, with plumes reaching a maximum of 500 meters (1,640 feet) above the vent. The alert level remains at “2 – Moderate Level of Volcanic Unrest” on a 0–5 scale, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

Taal volcano, also in the Philippines, continues to erupt as of March 19, 2026, with the alert level remaining at “1 – Low-Level Unrest” (on a 0–5 level scale), according to PHIVOLCS.

Mayon volcano in Luzon Island, Philippines, is also erupting. A volcanic ash advisory was issued by the Volcanic Ash Advisory Center Tokyo (VAAC) reporting an eruption at 20260320/1617Z. PHIVOLCS reports lava effusion from the summit crater, with lava flow lengths of 3.8 km in the Basud Gully, 3.2 km in the Bonga Gully, and 1.3 km in the Mi-isi Gully. The alert level is “3 – Increased Tendency Towards Hazardous Eruption” (on a 0–5 level scale).

Ibu volcano in Halmahera, Indonesia, continues to erupt. The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard/Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (CVGHM/PVMBG) reported 105 seismically detected explosions on March 19, 2026. The alert level remains at “Level 2 – Alert” (on a 4-level scale).

Tambora volcano in Sumbawa is experiencing unrest, with the alert level remaining at “Level 2 – Alert” (on a 4-level scale), according to CVGHM/PVMBG.

Lewotobi volcano in Flores continues to erupt, with gas and vapor plumes rising to a maximum of 100 meters (328 feet) above the vent. Two explosions were reported, with plumes reaching 1,000 meters (3,281 feet) above the vent. The alert level remains at “Level 2 – Alert” (on a 4-level scale), according to CVGHM/PVMBG.

Lewotolo volcano in the Lesser Sunda Islands continues to erupt. CVGHM/PVMBG reported gas and vapor plumes rising to a maximum of 50 meters (164 feet) above the vent, and 26 seismically detected explosions. The alert level remains at “Level 2 – Alert” (on a 4-level scale).

Merapi volcano in Central Java, Indonesia, continues to erupt. CVGHM/PVMBG reported gas and vapor plumes rising to a maximum of 100 meters (328 feet) above the vent, along with 6 hot rockfalls. The alert level remains at “Level 3 – Standby” (on a 4-level scale).

Semeru volcano in East Java, Indonesia, continues to erupt. CVGHM/PVMBG reported 61 seismically detected explosions and ash and gas plumes rising to a maximum of 800 meters (2,625 feet) above the vent. The alert level remains at “Level 3 – Standby” (on a 4-level scale).

Marapi volcano in Western Sumatra, Indonesia, continues to erupt, with gas and vapor plumes rising to a maximum of 400 meters (1,312 feet) above the vent. One seismically detected explosion was reported. The alert level remains at “Level 2 – Alert” (on a 4-level scale).

Dukono volcano in Halmahera continues to erupt. CVGHM/PVMBG reported ash and gas plumes rising to a maximum of 150 meters (492 feet) above the vent. The alert level remains at “Level 2 – Alert” (on a 4-level scale).

Aoba volcano in Vanuatu is experiencing a continuous low-level eruption, according to the Volcanic Ash Advisory Center Wellington (VAAC).

Popocatépetl volcano in Central Mexico continues to exhibit explosive activity. A volcanic ash plume rose to an estimated 21,000 feet (6,400 meters) altitude. The Centro Nacional de Prevención de Desastres (CENAPRED) reports the alert level remains at “Yellow Alert – Phase 2” (level 4 on a 7-level scale).

Fuego volcano in Guatemala continues to erupt. A volcanic ash plume rose to an estimated 15,000 feet (4,600 meters) altitude. The Instituto Nacional de Sismología, Vulcanología, Meteorología e Hidrología (INSIVUMEH) reports gas and vapor plumes rising to a maximum of 300 meters (984 feet) above the vent.

Sangay volcano in Ecuador continues to erupt. The Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN) reported 137 seismically detected explosions and ash and gas plumes rising to a maximum of 1,500 meters (4,921 feet) above the vent. The alert level remains at “2 – Yellow” (on a 4-level scale).

Reventador volcano in Ecuador continues to erupt. The Instituto Geofísico-Escuela Politécnica Nacional (IG-EPN) reports the alert level remains at “3 – Orange” (on a 4-level scale).

Sabancaya volcano in Peru continues to erupt. The Centro Vulcanológico Nacional del Instituto Geofísico del Perú (CENVUL-IGP) reported one explosion, with plumes rising to 2,000 meters (6,562 feet) above the vent. The alert level remains at “Orange” (level 3 on a 4-level scale).

Piton de la Fournaise volcano in La Réunion is experiencing increased activity, with elevated lava effusion and volcanic tremor. The Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris – Observatoire volcanologique du Piton de la Fournaise (IPGP-OVPF) reports the alert level remains at “Alert 2-2” (level 3 on a 0–4 level scale).