News: Within the subterranean ice caves of Mount Erebus, the planet’s southernmost active volcano, scientists have uncovered flourishing microbial ecosystems, challenging our understanding of life’s resilience in extreme environments.
About Mount Erebus
- Mount Erebus is located on the western half of Ross Island, off the coast of Antarctica in the Ross Sea.
- It is the world’s southernmost active volcano. It is also the second tallest volcano in Antarctica, after Mount Sidley
- The volcanoes are located in a rift zone known as Terror Rift, which is part of the West Antarctic Rift System. Mount Erebus was likely formed by a hotspot.
- It is also one of only a few volcanoes in the world that contain an active lava lake. The lava in the lava lake has an alkalic composition, which is typical of rift volcanoes.
- It is a glaciated intraplate stratovolcano and part of the Ring of Fire that encircles the Pacific Ocean basin.
- It has been active since 1972. It emits plumes of gas and steam regularly and occasionally spits out rock (bombs) in strombolian eruptions.
- The largest settlement in Antarctica, McMurdo Station which is operated by the United States is located approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) away and within view of the volcano.
