An eruption’s power is measured by the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI). Here’s a survey of the 12 biggest volcanic eruptions in recorded history, including the recent Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai eruption of 2022 (VEI 5.7). Others most people have heard of are Krakatoa, 1883 (VEI 6); Mount Pinatubo, 1991 (VEI 6); Thera, approx. 1610 B.C. (VEI 7); and the Yellowstone eruption, 640,000 years ago (VEI 8).