Understanding the differences between active, dormant, and extinct volcanoes

Volcanoes are classified as active, dormant, or extinct based on their eruption history. An active volcano has erupted in the last 11,700 years, while an extinct volcano has not erupted during that time. Dormant volcanoes are less clearly defined. They may be active but not currently erupting, or they could be old volcanoes that are unlikely to erupt again but haven't reached the 11,000-year mark for extinction. Recent volcanic activity includes the Sundhnúkur craters in Iceland, which erupted in December 2023 after being inactive for 800 years. This highlights that volcanoes can remain dormant for long periods before becoming active again.