(CNN) -- They're stunning, dynamic and dangerous, plus they can teach you a thing or two about the Earth's history. Volcanoes possess undeniable allure, doubling as living laboratories and tourist attractions. Volcanologist Rebecca Williams spends every second she can studying and relaxing near the Earth's lifeblood: lava. "I had a real geeky fascination with volcanoes as a kid," says Williams, who is a member of the science faculty at the University of Hull in Yorkshire, England. Share your photos of volcanoes Across the globe, travelers are discovering their inner geek, joining scientists like Williams in exploring the geological formations capable of producing incredible natural beauty and unparalleled destruction. Volcanoes are the earth's natural ventilation system, unpredictably capable of jettisoning steam, ash, molten rock and lava.
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Mount Etna, Europe's highest active volcano, erupted 200 times since 1500 B.C., experts say
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Kilauea, home of Hawaiian deity Pele, means "spewing" or "much spreading"
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Pantelleria is home to the cave where legend says Calypso kept Ulysses for seven years
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Mount Erebus is the second tallest volcano in Antarctica and is home to an active lava lake
Here's a list of volcanoes @placeholder says should be at the top of your must-visit list.