Volcanic Explosive Index (VEI)
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The volcanic explosive index (VEI) is a non comprehensive scale used for volcanic eruptions. It measures how “big” the eruption is based on the volume of ejected matter.
Intensity = log10(mass eruption rate kg/s) + 3
| VEI | Description | Plume height | Volume ejected | Occurrence |
| 0 | Non-explosive | < 100 m | > 1,000 m³ | Daily |
| 1 | Gentle | 100 – 1,000 m | > 10,000 m³ | Daily |
| 2 | Explosive | 1 – 5 km | > 1,000,000 m³ | Weekly |
| 3 | Severe | 3 – 5 km | > 10,000,000 m³ | Yearly |
| 4 | Cataclysmically | 10 – 25 km | > 0.1 km³ | ≥ 10 yrs |
| 5 | Paroxysmal | > 25 km | > 1 km³ | ≥ 100 yrs |
| 6 | Colossal | > 25 km | > 10 km³ | ≥ 100 yrs |
| 7 | Super-colossal | > 25 km | > 100 km³ | ≥ 1,000 yrs |
| 8 | Mega-colossal | > 25 km | > 1,000 km³ | ≥ 10,000 yrs |
