What does this nearest volcano ranking show?

It orders states by Miles to nearest potentially active volcano. It is a comparison of this one published measure, not an overall ranking of where to live.

Where do these figures come from?

U.S. Geological Survey Volcano Hazards Program supplies this measure. States without a comparable published value are shown as not ranked rather than estimated.

How should I use this ranking?

Use it to narrow a search, then open a state or county profile for the underlying figures, source dates and caveats. A statewide number may not describe every neighbourhood.

Highest nearest volcano by state

Miles to nearest potentially active volcano.

This measure has no better end. The order describes the states, it does not rank them — see the other direction.

Straight-line miles from the county’s population-weighted center to the nearest of the 161 potentially active U.S. volcanoes in the USGS Volcano Hazards Program inventory. The map marks the inventory locations. “Potentially active” is the USGS inventory category, not a prediction of eruption or a hazard-zone boundary; actual exposure depends on volcano type, terrain, prevailing winds and emergency planning.

How to read this ranking

Maine has the highest published nearest volcano in this comparison, at 1,924 mi. The next states shown are Massachusetts (1,857 mi) and Rhode Island (1,856 mi).

The table orders 51 states by miles to nearest potentially active volcano. It describes one published measure, not an overall judgment about where to live.

Use the result as a starting point, then compare the underlying source, dates, and local county figures before making a decision. Straight-line miles from the county’s population-weighted center to the nearest of the 161 potentially active U.S. volcanoes in the USGS Volcano Hazards Program inventory. The map marks the inventory locations. “Potentially active” is the USGS inventory category, not a prediction of eruption or a hazard-zone boundary; actual exposure depends on volcano type, terrain, prevailing winds and emergency planning.

1Maine1,924 mi
2Massachusetts1,857 mi
3Rhode Island1,856 mi
4New Hampshire1,846 mi
5Connecticut1,785 mi
6Vermont1,774 mi
7New Jersey1,716 mi
8New York1,698 mi
9Delaware1,671 mi
10Maryland1,607 mi
11District of Columbia1,599 mi
12Pennsylvania1,584 mi
13Virginia1,576 mi
14Florida1,496 mi
15North Carolina1,493 mi
16South Carolina1,428 mi
17West Virginia1,409 mi
18Ohio1,280 mi
19Georgia1,268 mi
20Michigan1,203 mi
21Kentucky1,175 mi
22Tennessee1,121 mi
23Alabama1,110 mi
24Indiana1,102 mi
25Illinois988 mi
26Wisconsin970 mi
27Mississippi954 mi
28Louisiana872 mi
29Missouri794 mi
30Minnesota785 mi
31Arkansas760 mi
32Iowa749 mi
33Kansas573 mi
34North Dakota573 mi
35Texas557 mi
36Oklahoma532 mi
37Nebraska529 mi
38South Dakota521 mi
39Montana192 mi
40Wyoming172 mi
41Arizona136 mi
42Colorado115 mi
43Utah111 mi
44California109 mi
45Nevada100 mi
46Hawaii96 mi
47Idaho84 mi
48Alaska83 mi
49New Mexico75 mi
50Washington64 mi
51Oregon54 mi

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Frequently asked questions

What does this ranking show?: It orders states by Miles to nearest potentially active volcano. It is one measure, not an overall verdict on where to live.
Where do the figures come from?: U.S. Geological Survey Volcano Hazards Program. States without a comparable published figure are listed as not ranked rather than estimated.
How should I use it?: Use it to narrow your search, then open a state or county profile for the source date, caveats and local context.

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Source: U.S. Geological Survey Volcano Hazards Program. · How this is built

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