The most powerful volcanic eruptions are ranked primarily by the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI), a logarithmic scale (0- 8 or more) based mainly on the volume of ejected material (tephra), plume height, and qualitative descriptors.

Most powerful eruptions in recorded human history are those of VEI 7 (and the largest VEI 6 events). No VEI 8 supereruptions have occurred in the Holocene.

Wah Wah Springs, La Garita (Fish Canyon Tuff), and Toba rank among the largest known single explosive (VEI 8) eruptions by erupted volume in Earth’s geological record.