Mt. Erebus is the southernmost active volcano in the world. It is in my sights every day we go out into the field. An impressive mountain rising 12,447 ft at its summit. It is not the highest point in Antarctica, which is reserved for Mt. Vinson at 16,050ft. Each day I see Mt. Erebus, I am continually impressed with its beauty and ever changing cloud cover. I keep taking pictures as it changes throughout the day forever trying to find the best angle and light to showcase this natural wonder.
View 1 of Erebus on Wednesday.
Erebus with very little steam and covered in shadow.
Morning view on Friday of Erebus.
Clouds roll in and eventually cover Erebus from view.
Clouds dispersing from Erebus.
Mt. Erebus is a stratovolcano or composite volcano. That is, it is made in layers of alternating layers of lava and pyroclastic debris and ash. It has a caldera and is continuously erupting making it somewhat of an oddity. Many stratovolcanoes boast massive eruptions every 20,000+ years or so, such as Mt. St. Helens, Krakatoa or Mt. Fuji. 60% of all volcanoes on Earth are stratovolcanoes. They hold the record on the number of deaths caused from eruption. But eruptions are not the only way a stratovolcano can kill.
Clouds nearly gone!
Sky view and Erebus togother from our test site this afternoon.
Another view of Erebus as we head out at 7:30pm.
On Nov. 28th, 1979, Air New Zealand's Flight TE-901 carrying 237 passengers and 20 crew members perished in one of the worst aviation disasters in history. The plane impacted with the mountain and instantly killed everyone on board. The accident was shrouded in controversy over the mechanics of the plane, flight plan and operator error. The final word was that it was caused by pilot error. The plane was flying low in cloud cover and the volcano didn't give way.
I just can't get enough photos of this volcano!
Venting up close and the glaciers covering the mountain.
Wreckage is reportedly still found on Erebus, but I did not spot any from our vantage point at sight 2 or 3 today. The volcano sits alone, venting its fumes. It last erupted somewhat significantly in Mid-Oct throwing bombs and blocks, but this is a scientist's paradise. Most individuals here in McMurdo would just about give their right arm to be involved in science on that mountain. I am in good company.
Last Erebus pic of the day!
Today's flat Lorax cards are from Wesley in 1st grade and Napsy, a student that I have been lucky to have had in APBio last year and in APES this year!
Flat Lorax postcards for Wesley in 1st grade and Napsy in APES but also a former APBio student!
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