The United States has the most volcanoes.
While volcanic activity occurs worldwide, certain countries are more prone to it due to their location along tectonic plate boundaries and hotspots. The Global Volcanism Program at the Smithsonian Institution keeps track of volcanoes around the world. Their data shows a clear leader in the total number of volcanoes.
Here's a breakdown of the countries with the most volcanoes, based on the number of Holocene volcanoes (volcanoes that have been active in the last 11,700 years):
| Country | Holocene Volcanoes | Active since 1950 CE |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 165 | 42 |
| Japan | 120 | 44 |
| Indonesia | 116 | 59 |
| Russia | 115 | 33 |
The United States takes the lead due to the numerous volcanoes found in Alaska, as well as those in Hawaii, California, Washington, and Oregon. This extensive volcanic activity results from the diverse tectonic settings found within the country's borders.
