10 Explosive Volcano Destinations

Hawaii

On Hawaii's Big Island, molten lava cake (with candles) is in order. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, located on Mt. Kilauea in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, is turning 100 and is inviting the public to the party with special events throughout 2012. The observatory, created to study volcanic activity and help prevent disaster in local communities, will kick off the festivities with its third annual Volcano Awareness Month in January. However, the celebrations could erupt beyond expectations. NBC reports that geologists are warning that Kilauea might soon switch from quiet lava-flow mode to an eruption phase, though it's hard to predict exactly when this might happen. Until then, the National Park remains open 24/7. (The Kilauea Visitor Center is open from 7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.)

Montserrat

Ever dream of combining a volcano adventure with a tropical escape? Lucky for you, the hazard level for the Soufriere Hills volcano on the Caribbean island of Montserrat has been recently lowered from three to two. While you could previously view the active—and continually venting—volcano via a plane from Antigua or the nearby observatory, the new rating, announced in November 2011, allows for daytime visits to Zone C (a previously off-limits area) by car—though visitors are advised to tune in to the local radio station and carry a cell phone or battery-powered transistor radio at all times in the zone.

Iceland

In 2010 Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano made the front page by spewing an ash cloud over Europe and crippling air travel for weeks. But more recently, a different volcano in the notorious "Land of Fire and Ice" has been rumbling for attention. This time, Katla and its 6.2-mile-wide crater are causing some concern among scientists and plenty of hype in the news, with the threat of an imminent and potentially catastrophic eruption that could result in widespread flooding as its glacier melts into the sea.

Worried about Katla disrupting your travel plans? Consider purchasing volcano insurance (though always be sure to read the fine print), or put your faith in easyJet's volcanic-ash-cloud detector, which is currently being tested and will be added to commercial planes next year if all goes well, according to The Guardian. If you want to get close to the volcanic action, take an Icelandic volcano tour or visit the new volcano museum opening in May 2012.

Congo

In most cases, red-hot lava shooting hundreds of yards into the air makes people run far away. In others, it causes them to run toward the threat. Case in point: Mt. Nyamulagira, an erupting volcano in the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to CNN, tourists have been flocking to Virunga National Park, best known for its endangered gorillas, to see the exploding mountain's lava firsthand. And tourism officials expect visitation to rise this year, bringing in some vital tourism dollars. Overnight treks, including a stay in a tented camp, transportation from Goma, and a guided three- to four-hour hike (each way), cost $300; contact the park for details. You can also climb Nyiragongo, Virunga's other active volcano.

Ecuador

In Ecuador, when the volcanoes play, the cattle stay. In this recent National Geographic photo, a cow is shown wearing an ash-cloud mask in the town of Cotalo near Tungurahua volcano (known locally as "Throat of Fire"), which has had increased volcanic activity since November. While some locals in this sparsely populated area carry on with daily life, people in high-risk areas have been urged to leave. The tourist town of Banos has been affected by ash. If you don’t want to wear a mask on your trip, consider Ecuador's many other volcanoes, including Antisana and its nearby hot spring.

Indonesia

Indonesia (particularly Bali, thanks to Eat, Pray, Love) might have captured the imagination of travelers in recent years, but the country sometimes gets off-balance due to its prime location in the Ring of Fire. Last year, Mt. Merapi on Java caused severe destruction, and locals are still coping a year later. In late 2011, Mt. Gamalama decided to erupt over Ternate Island, creating a slurry of ash and mud when combined with heavy rains. Despite recent disasters, there are 500 volcanoes (129 active) in Indonesia, and many are behaving well enough to welcome visitors, including Mt. Rinjani and Krakatau. Plus, the island of Bali beckons with stunning mountain scenery (volcanic, of course).

Italy

Mt. Etna in Sicily has once again lived up to its reputation as the tallest and most active volcano in Europe by erupting several times in 2011 (17 times as of October 24). No casualties have been reported, but the giant has garnered attention from the press for shooting mesmerizing fountains of lava hundreds of feet into the sky, as showed in this BBC video. In true Italian fashion, these Strombolian explosions are known more for their beauty than their propensity for destruction. Nevertheless, certain areas might be closed to visitors, so check with local trekking companies before planning a visit, or resolve to view the volcano from a safe distance while enjoying all the other spoils Sicily has to offer.

Chile

This past June, an Andean sleeping monster in southern Chile awoke after a 50-year nap, creating a series of earthquake tremors and sending a plume of ash toward Argentina as it yawned. The Atlantic posted a series of spectacular photographs to document the event. Unfortunately, Puyehue volcano forced many locals to evacuate and continues to plague nearby communities with ash. But while local tourism might have taken a hit, Chile has plenty more volcanic mountain adventures to experience. Visitors can put on a pair of skis or hiking boots and head to Parinacota volcano near the Bolivian border, Llaima in Conguillio National Park, or Osorno in Chile's Lake District, among many other volcano destinations from north to south in the skinny country.

Japan

Few things say stay away more than an earthquake, a tsunami, a nuclear disaster, and an erupting volcano all in the same year. But given its quadruple dose of hard knocks, Japan can sure use some tourism help come 2012. And now that the Shinmoedake volcano has settled down, along with the rest of the country, a trip might be more realistic than you'd think. While Japan has more than 100 active volcanoes (according to the Japan Meteorological Agency), not all of them pose a major threat. In fact, some offer something more along the lines of relaxation. For example, visitors can indulge in a traditional Japanese spa experience at Kusatsu Onsen on Mt. Shirane and Hakone near Mt. Fuji.

Canary Islands, Spain

A cauldron is boiling in the Atlantic Ocean. Just south of the Canary Islands, an underwater volcano churns the sea, reeking of sulfur and shooting jets of water 20 meters into the air. The bad news is that the volcano near El Hierro island is creating a dead zone, and as locals flee coastal villages like La Restinga, some tourism is shutting down, according to the BBC. The good news is some islanders view it as an opportunity to marvel at a natural event in the making and are welcoming visitors. Plus, travelers can entertain the idea that as the volcano continues to rise toward the surface, there might soon be a new Canary island to explore.

Do you plan to visit any volcano destinations in 2012?

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