Mount Erebus
Mount Erebus is an active stratovolcano on Ross Island in Antarctica. Its summit crater has hosted a persistent lava lake, and the volcano is monitored using satellite observations and scientific fieldwork.
Setting and form
Mount Erebus rises to about 3,794 metres on Ross Island, off Antarctica. It is a stratovolcano in the McMurdo Volcanic Province and one of four volcanic centres that built the island. McMurdo Station and New Zealand's Scott Base are located in the nearby region.
Volcanic activity
Erebus is active and has a lava lake in its summit crater; the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Program records the lake as active since at least 1972. The remote setting means observations include satellite-based monitoring. NASA describes the volcano as regularly emitting gas and steam plumes, with occasional Strombolian eruptions.
Exploration and research
British explorer James Clark Ross and his crew observed the island in 1841, and members of Ernest Shackleton's expedition climbed to the summit in 1908. Today the volcano is studied through observatory work and field campaigns, contributing to research on Antarctic volcanism and extreme environments.
Key facts
- Location
- Ross Island, Antarctica
- Elevation
- 3,794 metres above sea level
- Volcano type
- Stratovolcano
- Summit feature
- A lava lake reported active since at least 1972
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References
- 1.Erebus
Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program · other · reliability: unverified · retrieved 9 November 2026
- 2.Mount Erebus, Antarctica
NASA Earth Observatory · other · reliability: unverified · retrieved 9 November 2026
- 3.2002-2003 Science Planning Summary
United States Antarctic Program · other · reliability: unverified · retrieved 9 November 2026
References are suggested by the research engine and may be incomplete. Unverified URLs are omitted rather than guessed.
Article history
- Version 19 November 2026 · EditorCreated by Zapia