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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

NCEI/WDS Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database, 4360 BC to Present

browse graphicA lava fountain from the 1959 eruption of Kilauea Iki, Hawaii.
The Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database is a global listing of over 600 eruptions from 4360 BC to the present. A significant eruption is classified as one that meets at least one of the following criteria: caused fatalities, caused moderate damage (approximately $1 million or more), Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 6 or greater, generated a tsunami, or was associated with a significant earthquake. The database provides information on the latitude, longitude, elevation, type of volcano, last known eruption, VEI index, and socio-economic data such as the total number of casualties, injuries, houses destroyed, and houses damaged, and $ dollage damage estimates. References, political geography, and additional comments are also provided for each eruption. If the eruption was associated with a tsunami or significant earthquake, it is flagged and linked to the related database. For a complete list of current and past activity for all volcanoes on the planet active during the last 10,000 years, please see Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
  • Cite as: National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS): NCEI/WDS Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.7289/V5JW8BSH [access date]
gov.noaa.ngdc.mgg.hazards:G10147
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Search Data
  • Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database (search)
    The database contains information on the latitude, longitude, elevation, type of volcano, last known eruption, VEI index, and socio-economic data such as the total number of casualties, injuries, houses destroyed, and houses damaged, and $ dollage damage estimates, if available. If the eruption was associated with a tsunami or significant earthquake, it is flagged and linked to the related database.
  • Natural Hazards Map Viewer - Significant Volcanic Eruptions Layer (search)
    Tsunami source and runup locations, significant earthquake epicenters, significant volcanic eruption locations.
Download Data
  • Google Earth KML (download)
    Tsunami source and runup locations, significant earthquake epicenters, significant volcanic eruption locations.
Distribution Formats
  • ASCII
  • ArcGIS
Distributor Hazards Data Manager
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
haz.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact Nicolas Arcos
DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
(303) 497-3158
haz.info@noaa.gov
Time Period -4360 to Present
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -180
East: 180
South: -63
North: 71
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
  • NCEI/WDS Global Historical Tsunami Database, 2100 BC to Present
  • NCEI/WDS Global Significant Earthquake Database, 2150 BC to Present
  • Global Volcano Locations Database
  • The volcanic explosivity index (VEI): an estimate of explosive magnitude for historical volcanism
  • Volcanoes of the World, 2nd edition
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2001-03-23
Data Presentation Form mapDigital
Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status Ongoing - data is continually being updated
Data Update Frequency As needed
Purpose These data are necessary for volcanic hazard assessments and mitigation efforts.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS): NCEI/WDS Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.7289/V5JW8BSH [access date]
Originators
  • National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS)
Points of Contact
  • Nicolas Arcos
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Publishers
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Theme keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Solid Earth > Volcanoes > Eruption Dynamics
  • Earth Science > Solid Earth > Volcanoes > Lava
  • Earth Science > Solid Earth > Volcanoes > Magma
  • Earth Science > Solid Earth > Volcanoes > Pyroclastics
  • Earth Science > Solid Earth > Volcanoes > Volcanic Ash/Dust
Data Center keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NGDC > National Geophysical Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Instrument keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
  • Visual Observations
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Global
Project keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Project Keywords
  • ICSU-WDS > International Council for Science - World Data System
Use Constraints
  • While every effort has been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable within the limits of the current state of the art, NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in the data, nor as a result of the failure of the data to function on a particular system. NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty.
Access Constraints
  • Access to this dataset is unrestricted.
Other Constraints Cite as: National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS): NCEI/WDS Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.7289/V5JW8BSH [access date]
Fees
  • Free online
Lineage information for: dataset
Lineage Statement The events in the Significant Volcanic Eruption database were gathered from the Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program, the U.S. Geological Survey, volcano catalogs, national and government databases and reports, post-event reconnaissance reports, journal articles, newspapers, internet sources, email, and other documents. It should be noted a primary source of information is Volcanoes of the World (Simkin et al.,1981) as well as the subsequent second and third editions.
Processor
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Source Datasets
Lineage information for: repository
Processing Steps
  • 2015-04-22T00:00:00 - NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015.
Last Modified: 2021-07-08
For questions about the information on this page, please email: haz.info@noaa.gov