Mount Erebus is the second highest volcano in Antarctica, and sits on Ross Island.
The mount is also part of the Pacific Ring of Fire which includes over 160 active volcanoes. The volcano has been continuously active since 1972. In fact, it is the most active volcano in Antarctica.
Sir James Clark Ross first discovered the mount in 1841 when it was erupting. The first reach of the summit happened in 1908, and a robotic probe first explored the interior of the volcano in 1992.
Mount Erebus Physical Characteristics
The summit of Mount Erebus contains a persistent lava lake which is one of only five such lava lakes on the planet that humans know of. How incredible is that.
Its location in the Antarctic has created some unique geological features which exist nowhere else on Earth. The flank of Mount Erebus is covered with hundreds of fumaroles which constantly emit steam. The unique combination of super-heated steam and sub-freezing temperatures creates gigantic hollow towers of ice some of which are as much as approximately 60 ft (18.3 m) in height.
The summit of the volcano itself is about 12,448 ft (3,794 m) high.
This place would make an incredible movie set.
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