When Did the First Volcano Erupt?

The most catastrophic volcanic eruption in modern times took place in 1815. A volcano named Tambora erupted in Indonesia, causing the death of approximately 90,000 people, though most of them died from starvation rather than as a direct result of the eruption.

When a volcano has an intense, explosive eruption, it can fling rocks at a velocity of up to 670 miles per hour. Generally speaking, when a volcano starts to erupt, the eruption continues for around 10 years. Some eruptions have been known to last for hundreds of years.