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Source-This post on Mount Erebus has been created based on the article “Home News
It’s Raining GOLD Worth $6000 Everyday In Antarctica From Mount Erebus, Watch Video” published in “India.com” on 21 April 2024.
Why in the news?
Mount Erebus, an active volcano in Antarctica, has been in the news for emitting gold dust valued at $6000 daily.
About Mount Erebus
Description-It is the most southerly active volcano on Earth. It was discovered in 1841 by the British explorer Sir James Clark Ross, who named it after his ship, the Erebus.
Location-It is situated on Ross Island, Antarctica.
Type of volcano-It’s a stratovolcano that is characterized by a conical shape and layers of hardened lava, tephra, and volcanic ash.
Lava lake-It is known for its persistent lava lake. The lake has been active since at least 1972 and is one of only a few long-lived lava lakes on Earth.
Frequency of eruption-It constantly churns and occasionally spews bombs of molten rock in Strombolian eruptions. It is being monitored by satellites, primarily because of its remote location.
What is a Stratovolcano?
Description-It is a tall, steep, and cone-shaped type of volcano. Unlike flat shield volcanoes, they have higher peaks. At the top, stratovolcanoes usually have a small crater. It may hold water, ice, or even a volcanic dome when it’s not very active.
Location-They’re usually found above subduction zones and are part of big, volcanic areas like the Ring of Fire around much of the Pacific Ocean.
Type of lava-Strata Volcanoes make up about 60% of the Earth’s volcanoes. They mostly erupt with andesite and dacite, which are cooler and viscous lavas compared to basalt.
These more viscous lavas allow gas pressures to build up to high levels. Therefore, these volcanoes often suffer explosive eruptions.
NOTE-Strombolian eruptions
1) They are moderately explosive eruptions of basaltic magma with moderate gas content.
2) They consist of intermittent, discrete explosive bursts which eject pyroclasts as high as hundreds of feet into the air in firework-like incandescent rooster-tails. Strombolian eruptions are louder than Hawaiian eruptions, and generally are of more viscous magma.
Read more-Volcanic Vortex Rings
UPSC Syllabus-Geography in news
