Top 50 Most Prominent Volcanoes in the World

Because of the way that they are formed, volcanoes most often have a degree of isolation from any neighbours. The primeval powers that lead to their creation thrust them upwards in cone or shield-like structures. Despite their often lowly heights, volcanoes make up almost half of the world’s most prominent peaks. So I have created a list of the Top 50 most prominent volcanoes in the world.

Unlike its sister list of the Top 50 highest volcanoes in the world (which is here) this list shows that the geographical location of the most prominent are well dispersed around the globe and have representatives on each continent.

The highest is Ojos del Salado on the Chile/Argentina border and the most prominent is Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Two of the volcanic seven summits (Sidley and Giluwe) do not make the list although they are both higher than most of the others. There is a preponderance of island volcanoes – 19 on the list.

Here is my list of the Top 50 most prominent volcanoes in the world (with the next two included because the topographical prominences are close). I have added the dates of ascent of those that I have climbed. Many of the volcanoes on the list are quite popular. So there quite a few people who will have climbed a fair number of them. For example, see this list.