Here are a few contenders:
Longest in recorded history:
* Kilauea, Hawaii: This volcano has been erupting almost continuously since 1983! That makes it the longest ongoing eruption in recorded history.
Longest individual event:
* Iceland's Laki eruption (1783-1784): This eruption lasted for over 8 months, spewing out a massive amount of lava and volcanic gases.
Longest in geologic time:
* Mount Etna, Italy: While it has been erupting for thousands of years, some evidence suggests it has been active for a staggering 350,000 years. This makes it the longest-known volcanic eruption in Earth's history.
Other Notable Eruptions:
* The Yellowstone Supervolcano: While its last eruption was 630,000 years ago, this volcano is known for its immense eruptions, with the longest estimated at around 2.1 million years.
Ultimately, the "longest eruption" depends on your definition. Kilauea holds the title for the longest ongoing eruption, while the Laki eruption was the longest single event in recorded history. Mount Etna wins for the longest total time span based on geological evidence.
