Mount Erebus Facts: Read About This Active Volcano In The Antarctic

The Mount Erebus volcano is especially well known for being the most active volcano of Antarctica and its second-highest.

Mount Erebus is the southernmost active volcano on Earth and is among the most studied volcanoes in the world as well. In Antarctica, Mount Erebus volcano is located in the area of Ross Island, which is under the governance of New Zealand as a part of the Ross Dependency.

Interestingly, the area is home to three other volcanoes, but they are inactive volcanoes: Mount Terra Nova, Mount Terror, and Mount Bird. The volcano can be located on the western part of Ross Island, which is what makes it the southernmost active volcano in the world.

The boiling lava lake within the main crater rim of Mount Erebus volcano is one of its most unique features.

Are you enjoying these Mount Erebus facts so far? If so, read on to find out more about its history, size, and geology.

The History Of Mount Erebus

Mount Erebus was not only discovered but also named by Sir James Clark Ross, the famous polar explorer. Upon discovering the volcano, people did not rush towards it immediately as the volcano was discovered during an eruption. Later, surveys were carried out, samples were collected and, further down the line, robotic exploration was undertaken as well.

On January 27, 1841, Sir James Clark Ross, along with Joseph Hooker, first came across Mount Erebus and Mount Terror. Interestingly, he named both the volcanoes after his ships, 'HMS Terror' and 'HMS Erebus'.

The volcanic mountains were later surveyed and studied in December 1912 by the science leg of the 'Terra Nova' expedition, which was headed by Robert Falcon Scott.

The team had set up two campsites, the lower, 'Camp E,' and the upper, 'Camp Summit.' Both are today recognized for their historic significance. The teams had collected geological samples to be further studied.

Did you know it was the party of Sir Ernest Shackleton that first achieved the summit crater of Mount Erebus? The first solo ascent of Mount Erebus volcano was on June 7, 1985, accomplished by Roger Mear. Later, in the early '90s, robotic explorations were undertaken to acquire samples from the inner crater to study.

The Formation Of Mount Erebus

Mount Erebus is known for its large eruptions and, as such, this massive volcano formed over a long period of time. Over the years, scientists have tried to determine how Mount Erebus was probably formed. The volcano is on the Antarctica tectonic plate.

It is believed that a composite cone was developed on top of a shield volcano around 700,000 to 1.3 m years ago but, when the summit of the volcano collapsed in the years that followed, Mount Erebus came into existence.

The resultant volcano is regarded as a polygenetic stratovolcano where the upper part of the volcano is a cone, and the bottom half seems like a shield.

Over the years, this volcano has at times experienced explosive eruptions, at an average eruption rate of 0.28 cu mi to 0.95 cu mi (1.6 cu km - 4 cu km) per 1,000 years.

The Measurements Of Mount Erebus

Mount Erebus is the highest point of Ross Island and ranks second in the highest volcanic mountains of Antarctica, with only Mount Sidley being taller.

With a summit elevation of 12,448 ft (3,794 m), Mount Erebus also ranks as Antarctica's sixth-highest ultra mountain. The volcano is massive in size and is one of the largest active volcanoes in the world. Moreover, the volcano has a triangular shape like most other mountain volcanoes.

Did you know that, during the '80s, there were several small-level strombolian eruptions occurring two to six times a day, which led to the ejection of bombs from the inner crater floor to the summit plateau. These strombolian eruptions occurred in the '70s, '80s, and also in the early 2000s.

Geology And Volcanology

Mount Erebus is at present believed to be Erebus hotspot's current eruptive zone, or part of the active volcanoes in the area. It is also known to contain the five remaining lava lakes on the planet.

Scientists believe that the magma source from within the volcano is a plume that rises at the rate of 2.36 in (6 cm) per year from the upper mantle.

Mount Erebus is unique in many ways, as it has persistent eruptive activity while, at the same time, the volcano's strombolian eruptive system is pretty close to its active vents, which does not exist in most of the other Earth's volcanoes.

The volcano has erupted a number of times since 1841, with the latest eruption in 2020. In case there were very large volcanic eruptions, it would predictably lead to large-scale melting of glaciers in Antarctica and thus a massive increase in sea levels.

FAQs

How often does Mount Erebus erupt?

In the past years, Mount Erebus has averaged an eruption rate of 0.28 cu mi - 0.95 cu mi (1.6 cu km - 4 cu km) per 1,000 years.

Is Mount Erebus an explosive volcano?

It has been recorded that Mt Erebus has had occasional explosive eruptions since its discovery.

When was the last time Mount Erebus erupted?

The latest eruption of Mount Erebus was in 2020.

What would happen if Mount Erebus erupted?

Mount Erebus is a massive volcano whose eruptions can wreak havoc and could even lead to the melting of the ice of Antarctica and an eventual drastic increase in sea levels.

Is Mount Erebus located over a hotspot?

Mount Erebus is believed to be a volcanic hotspot playing a pivotal role in the volcanic eruptions on Ross island.

What tectonic plate is Mount Erebus on?

Like most other volcanoes on Antarctica, Mount Erebus is situated on the Antarctica tectonic plate.