How do you safely approach a tourist visit to a volcano? First of all, avoid generalizing. Because there is not “one” volcano, but different types of volcanoes and you need to know them well to avoid being in danger. It is obviously clear that any visit to any volcano must be done accompanied by an expert guide, and never alone.
Famous volcanoes
In the Hawaiian Islands, Kilauea and Mauna Loa are certainly the most famous and visited volcanoes. The first one has a deep crater containing an eternal lava lake that sometimes overflows; the second has an almost flat shape and emits eruptions of viscous lava that punctually reaches the sea “dripping” from the cliff. Both volcanoes are very active and always erupting, even if in more or less violent phases.
Among the Japanese volcanoes, the most famous is Mount Fuji, even if it erupts only a few times over the centuries (the last eruptions date back to the 18th century) and for most of the time it remains dormant. Its imposing shape and its height make it an iconic symbol of the country; you can admire it as you land at Tokyo Airports. Sakurajima, on the other hand, is more active: it is located on the island of Kyushu, in the Kagoshima district, on a promontory that overlooks the city of the same name across the bay. It usually emits explosions and columns of ash with spectacular lava fountains, which however last only a few hours.
In Europe, tourist fame is linked to the Italian volcanoes (Vesuvius, Etna, Stromboli, Vulcano) and the Spanish ones of the Canary Islands (especially the great Mount Teide). Of these, the most active are Etna and Stromboli, both located in the Sicilian archipelago.
Recently also some American volcanoes (such as Volcàn de Fuego in Guatemala) and African volcanoes (Nyiragongo, Erta Ale) plus the Indonesian Lewotobi, Merapi, Tambora have become a tourist “call” for volcano lovers.
How do you travel safe on a volcano?
If you go to visit Hawaiian volcanoes (land at Honolulu Airport) you will need to have excellent trekking shoes, perhaps with reinforced soles (the ground is always very hot because the lava cools slowly). Japanese volcanoes are always best admired from afar, as are Indonesian ones, famous for their sudden explosions.
In Italy, you can climb up Stromboli and Etna (Catania Airport) to safe altitudes, bringing trekking equipment and even heavy clothing due to the height. Vesuvius and Teide can be climbed like ordinary mountains since they are dormant: in this case, you just need trekking shoes and light clothing.
Many African volcanoes are included in safari routes, as are South American ones, but safety conditions in these locations are not always guaranteed even by local guides. To tackle a volcano you always need to read a lot, listen to the experts, keep up to date with geo-volcanologists’ websites .
How to equip yourself
To visit a volcano, whether active or extinct, you need to equip yourself with mountain clothing and tools. These are always mountains, often with much harder terrain to climb than common mountains.
No shorts, tank tops and sandals… you’re not going to the beach! Make sure you always have long trousers, hiking boots, jackets to use in case of sudden changes in the weather, water bottles (dust and rock make you thirsty), sunscreen. If you go to visit active volcanoes, with the possibility of seeing fountains and eruptions, make sure you have sunglasses with you to protect your eyes from the brightness and also from incandescent particles that can float in the air.
Final advice
Never forget your cell phone at home (it also helps in case of rescue to report your position) and never trust strangers or “smart guys” who pass themselves off as volcanological guides at rock-bottom prices. Look for REAL GUIDES by asking the local hotels, or even better the local volcanologists’ web sites.