![]() Visitors can find them around the summit of the volcano. In the volcanic bombs of the unique phonolitic lava have formed so-called Erebus crystals – unusually large crystals of anorthoclase. Other wonders of Mount ErebusĪnorthoclase crystals from the summit of Mount Erebus. In 2010 – 2016 volcano had two lava lakes. Lava lake or several lakes existed in the crater in the 1990ies and in the 21st century. Then, in the late 1980ies, researchers observed up to three smaller lava lakes. Nevertheless, Erebus threw volcanic bombs with a diameter of up to 10 m up to 1.2 km far!Ī small lava lake with a diameter of some 15 m appeared in late 1985. During this time most of the lava lake “froze” – solidified. Then, in 1984 – 1985 the volcanic activity increased and the glow of lava was visible from a distance of some 70 km. Thus, during the 1970ies the lava lake was some 130 m long and had an oval shape. The lava lake of Mount Erebus has existed since the discovery of the volcano (and, most likely, before this), but it has constantly changed. ![]() If the weather lets see through the fumes, visitors can admire the glow of this lake from the rim of the crater. In fact, Mount Erebus is the only volcano in the world that erupts this kind of lava currently. In this inner crater is a lava lake – one of the few such lakes in the world. In this crater is one more – an inner crater that is some 250 m wide and 100 m deep. The highest is Mount Sidley – a dormant volcano that rises 4,181 – 4,285 m high.Īt the summit of the volcano is a 500 by 600 m large and 110 m deep crater. Thus it is the most active volcano in Antarctica.Įrebus is also the southernmost active volcano on Earth and the second-highest volcano in Antarctica. Mount Erebus erupts continuously since its discovery in 1841. The volcanofiles maintain a set of pages which describe their ongoing work on Erebus.Lava lake of Mount Erebus / NASA, public domain. There are some very useful pages on Erebus hosted by, and a nice description of field work, and the current activity at Erebus, along with some field photographs. Although it has only ever been seen to have minor eruptions, it has certainly had larger eruptions in the past. Erebus is a large volcano, quite close to McMurdo sound, and one of the largest scientific research stations in Antarctica. Unpredictability – 7. The pattern of known activity at Erebus is spectacular, but monotonous – with an occasional, but long-lived, lava lake and spectacular bubble bursts deep within the current crater.ĭevastation Potential – 231. Erebus is spectacular, with wonderful views into the active crater and beyond, but it has to be one of the most remote monitored volcanoes in the world. A well known gas geochemist, Werner Giggenbach, burnt some of his socks some years ago when he was caught unware by a small explosion but, outside the times when scientists live and work near the summit during summer field campaigns, Erebus poses little threat to humans. Erebus is one of the tallest ‘free standing’ mountains in the world, and the second highest volcano in Antarctica, after Mount Sibley.ĭeadliness. Pops and bubbles are the order of the day in Erebus’ lava pond. ![]() So it is one of those volcanoes classified as in continuing eruption.Įxplosivity (Volcanic Explosivity Index) – 2. Last known eruption: Erebus has an active lava lake, which has occasional explosions. The historical record of activity is only very short: Erebus was first seen in 1841, and first climbed in 1908. The scores on the cards are based on what we know about the past and continuing activity of Erebus. How does Erebus stack up as a Top Trumps Volcano? Geologically, the erupted products – alkali rich lavas called phonolites – are similar to those erupted at Mt Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania. It is one of several volcanoes in West Antarctica that are likely to be fed from a deep-seated hot upwelling, or plume, inside the Earth. ![]() Erebus is not associated with a tectonic plate boundary – instead, it is an intra-plate volcano that lies in a rift, where the Earth’s crust has been thinned by slowly being stretched. For at least the past 40 years, there has been a lava lake bubbling in the summit crater, and feeding a continuous plume of gases across the Antarctic continent.Įrebus is a stratovolcano, and one of four volcanoes on Ross island the others being called Mts. It is the most southerly active volcano in the world, located on Ross island in Antarctica. Image of Mt Erebus, Antarctica, showing the distinctive gas and aerosol plume rising off the summit crater. ![]()
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