List Of Top 10 Deadliest Volcanic Eruptions In World History With Highest Death Toll

List of Deadliest Volcanic Eruptions: The world’s volcanoes represent how strong Earth can be - right now, a fresh eruption in Ethiopia shows how sudden nature can shock people.  On 23 November 2025, at 8:30 am, a volcano, Hayli Gubbi, in Ethiopia’s Afar zone, erupted very strongly, and it blew at least 14 to 15 Km in height at least similar to Mount Everest's height.  This eruption occurred after 12,000 years, hurling thick clouds of ash over the Red Sea, even reaching spots in North West India and the Middle East. Due to this, India’s capital city, Delhi, is now more polluted due to its fumes and ashes reaching the atmosphere. Though there were no immediate fatalities, nearby villages and livestock were badly impacted. 

This most recent event reminds us of previous catastrophes, such as massive volcanic eruptions that destroyed entire towns and changed weather patterns. See the top 10 deadliest eruptions ever documented, each of which demonstrates the savagery of nature's wild side. 

From the enormous explosions of the 19th century to the ancient eruptions of the first century AD, all of these catastrophes had different causes and terrible consequences for society, the environment, and human life. The data is taken from Wikipedia. 

1. Mount Tambora — Indonesia (1815) — 71,000 to 90,000 deaths

10 Deadliest volcanic eruptions in the world (Image: Canva)

The 1815 Tambora eruption was likely the deadliest ever recorded. That explosion wiped out whole villages, caused tsunamis and spewed thick plumes of ash into the atmosphere. Its aftermath changed the global climate, known as "Year without Summer" - wiping out all crops, bringing starvation across Asia and Europe, claiming many lives.

2. Krakatoa — Indonesia (1883) — 36,000+ deaths

One of the loudest explosions in history, Krakatoa's explosion was audible miles away. The worst destruction came after the volcano fell into the water, making enormous waves. As smoke circled the atmosphere, changing weather patterns caused sunsets to be wild, and towns along the coast disappeared overnight.

3. Mount Pelée — Martinique (1902) — 30,000 deaths

A fiery blast slammed into Saint-Pierre, setting homes on fire while choking people in seconds. Smokes and debris raced through streets - nowhere to run, nowhere to hide - turning it into the region’s most devastating eruption.

ALSO READ: Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi Volcano Erupts: Residents Recount Terrifying Moments, Say 'It Felt Like Bomb'

4. Nevado del Ruiz — Colombia (1985) — 23,000 deaths

10 Deadliest volcanic eruptions in the world (Image: Canva)

Although it wasn't a massive explosion, the volcano's hot ash melted surrounding glaciers, creating mud rivers—mixtures of water and volcanic rock. These swift-moving slurries raced downhill so quickly that areas like Armero were overrun before people could flee, leaving little opportunity to save lives and resulting in tragic deaths.

5. Santorini — Greece (1600 BC) — 20,000

One of our planet's biggest ancient explosions wiped out nearby towns, possibly ending the Minoan culture. Waves from the sea slammed into neighbouring isles, whereas thick smoke blocked sunlight, ruined crops, and shifted local climates.

6. Mount Samalas — Indonesia (1257) — 15,000 to 20,000 deaths

The eruption formed a huge crater while spreading ash far beyond its region. This triggered a volcanic winter, reducing temperatures worldwide. Nearby regions faced ruined harvests along with starvation, which ended up killing many people.

7. Mount Unzen — Japan (1792) — 15,000 deaths

A volcano erupted, setting off a slide that led to a giant landslide and tsunami, due to which most people died from these floods. When the hillside crashed into the ocean, huge water surges smashed seaside villages moments later.

ALSO READ: Delhi-NCR Air Pollution: Will Ash From Ethiopian Volcano Impact AQI In Capital Region? Here’s What IMD Said

8. Mount Vesuvius — Italy (79 AD) — 13,000+ deaths

10 Deadliest volcanic eruptions in the world (Image: Canva)

This explosion wiped out Pompeii and Herculaneum, smothering them in thick layers of ash along with chunks of rock. People died due to scorching temperatures or toxic fumes filling the air. What’s left behind captures their last seconds - frozen, haunting.

9. Laki — Iceland (1783) — 10,000+ deaths

Laki erupted nonstop for half a year, spewing toxic fumes, including sulfur dioxide. Due to this, animals and people died, farms collapsed, and hunger spread across Iceland. Smog drifted into Europe, so breathing problems took more lives there.

10. Kelud — Indonesia (1586) — 10,000 deaths

With a violent eruption, Kelud sent clouds of searing ash into neighbouring towns. More people were trapped when the superheated gas raced downhill because of the area's high population density.