MOUNT EREBUS

Feature

Details

Location

Ross Island, Antarctica,

Elevation

3,792 meters.

Prominence

Second most prominent mountain in Antarctica (after Mount Vinson).

Highest Point on Island

Highest point on Ross Island (which has three inactive volcanoes: Mount Terror, Mount Bird, Mount Terra Nova).

Discovery

Named by Captain James Clark Ross in 1841 for his ship, HMS Erebus.

Volcanic Activity Duration

Active for approximately 1.3 million years.

Geological Classification

Polygenetic stratovolcano (A polygenetic stratovolcano is a volcano that is constructed through multiple eruptions over a long period of time.These volcanoes are also known as composite volcanoes)

Unique Features

• Only currently erupting phonolite volcano. Phonolite, any member of a group of extrusive igneous rocks (lavas) that are rich in nepheline and potash feldspar. 
• Emits microscopic gold particles (up to 60 micrometers).

Research Facilities Nearby

Proximity to McMurdo Station (U.S.) and Scott Base (New Zealand).

Volcano

Height (meters)

Type

Notable Features

Mount Terror

3,230

Shield Volcano

Located on Ross Island next to Erebus.

Deception Island

539

Submarine Volcano

One of the safest harbors in Antarctica; caldera breached by the sea.

Mount Melbourne

2,732

Stratovolcano

Contains large fumaroles (gas vents).

Mount Berlin

3,500

Shield Volcano

Twin peaks, fumarolic activity at summit.

Mount Siple

3,110

Shield Volcano

One of the largest volcanoes by volume in Antarctica.

Mount Takahe

3,460

Shield Volcano

Associated with large ice cap and glacial features.

Mount Hudson

1,905

Stratovolcano

Lies in West Antarctica, near the Ellsworth Mountains.

Mount Waesche

3,292

Stratovolcano

Located near Mount Sidley in the Executive Committee Range.

Mount Sidley

4,285

Stratovolcano

Largest volcano in Antarctica; glaciated summit caldera.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following:

    Volcano                            Location

1. Mount Royal        :   Antarctic Peninsula
2. Mount Sidley :  South Shetland Islands
3. Mount Parinacota : Ross Island
4. Mount Faure :  Ellsworth Mountains

How many of the above-given pairs is/are correctly matched?

(a) Only one

(b) Only Two

(c) All four

(d) None

Answer:  (d)

Explanation:

Pair 1 is incorrect: This is not a known Antarctic volcano. It is actually a hill located in Montreal, Canada, and not in the Antarctic Peninsula.

Pair 2 is incorrect: This is a volcano in Antarctica, but it is located in Marie Byrd Land, not in the South Shetland Islands.

Pair 3 is incorrect: This is a volcano in the Andes on the border between Chile and Bolivia, not on Ross Island in Antarctica.

Pair 4 is incorrect: This is located in the Prince Charles Mountains, not in the Ellsworth Mountains of Antarctica.