How many active volcanoes are there in the world?

potentially, and active are not same!

Although I got the question right (from a guess), I agree with the other comments that the answer was unfair, as only 500 have erupted in human history, so that means that the other 1,000 volcanoes, plus the ones under the sea are not active at all. "Potentially" does not verify true activity.

How can you give a defined number to this question ....

I agree with Greg. Ask the question properly. Don't ask an open ended question and then qualify the answer! I'm sure we'd all answer differently if you asked about "potentially active volcanoes".

The question was about "active"; their answer was about "potentially active". Crazy!

Robert Hohmann, actually they are in geological terms. A volcano is considered active if it has erupted in the last 10,000 years, or shows signs of activity such as earthquakes, gas emissions, or ground movement. So you could say that it has the potential to erupt. Extinct volcanoes have no potential to erupt. Auckland, NZ, sits on a volcanic region which erupted 600 years ago. It looks completely inactive but has the potential to erupt again at any future time so the region is still active.

Glenn Rickert, a volcano is considered active if it has erupted in the last 10,000 years, or shows signs of activity such as earthquakes, gas emissions, or ground movement. So you could say that it has the potential to erupt. Extinct volcanoes have no potential to erupt. Auckland, NZ, sits on a volcanic region which erupted 600 years ago. It looks completely inactive but has the potential to erupt again at any future time.

Stevie G, if you google the question you get "around 1500 or more". This number includes above ground and under sea volcanoes considered active if they have erupted in the last 10,000 years. Some are obviously active with vapour plumes; others don't show signs of activity except for earthquakes, gas emissions and ground movement; and some show none of these. All have the potential to erupt at any time.

David Speck, a volcano is considered active if it has erupted in the last 10,000 years, or shows signs of activity such as earthquakes, gas emissions, or ground movement. So you could say that it has the potential to erupt. Extinct volcanoes have no potential to erupt. Auckland, NZ, sits on a volcanic region which erupted 600 years ago. It looks completely inactive but has the potential to erupt again at any future time.

gudehus, a volcano is considered active if it has erupted in the last 10,000 years, or shows signs of activity such as earthquakes, gas emissions, or ground movement. So you could say that it has the potential to erupt. Extinct volcanoes have no potential to erupt. Auckland, NZ, sits on a volcanic region which erupted 600 years ago. It looks completely inactive but has the potential to erupt again at any future time.

Steve Tingle, a volcano is considered active if it has erupted in the last 10,000 years, or shows signs of activity such as earthquakes, gas emissions, or ground movement. Extinct volcanoes have no potential to erupt. Auckland, NZ, sits on a volcanic region which erupted 600 years ago. It looks completely inactive but has the potential to erupt again at any future time.

James Vetzel, what is ambiguous about the question? A volcano is considered active if it has erupted in the last 10,000 years, or shows signs of activity such as earthquakes, gas emissions, or ground movement. Auckland, NZ, sits on a volcanic region which erupted 600 years ago. It looks completely inactive but has the potential to erupt again at any future time.

DannyBoy, what is tricky about it? A volcano is considered active if it has erupted in the last 10,000 years, or shows signs of activity such as earthquakes, gas emissions, or ground movement. So you could say that it has the potential to erupt. Extinct volcanoes have no potential to erupt. Auckland, NZ, sits on a volcanic region which erupted 600 years ago. It looks completely inactive but has the potential to erupt again at any future time.

Greg Mohs, a volcano is considered active if it has erupted in the last 10,000 years, or shows signs of activity such as earthquakes, gas emissions, or ground movement. So you could say that it has the potential to erupt. Extinct volcanoes have no potential to erupt. Auckland, NZ, sits on a volcanic region which erupted 600 years ago. It looks completely inactive but has the potential to erupt again at any future time.

jack patti go, but not accurate. A volcanoe is considered active if it has erupted in the last 10,000 years or shows signs of activity such as earthquakes, gas emissions, or ground movement. As of April 2026 that is 1350 above ground and under ocean volcanoes.

Louella Wilson, make a report. This question will only be removed if enough people make a report. It's now 2026 so obviously not enough people have reported it.

Geoff Millward, make a report! The "editor" is a review panel of QC members. They seem to passing a lot of questionable questions/answers.

Fred Zeb Fudpucker, make a report!

No source given, again! But I do know, through my interest in the subject, that volcanologists define "active" as having erupted within the last 10,000 years and expected to erupt again. Not quite what most people would assume to be the meaning of 'active'.

Robert Hohmann, I agree active denotes currently in action or movement Potentially denotes the ability for action or movement but currently inactive.