Forums
Erebus Volcano Antarctica

John, Here are some questions from Redd School 8th graders!

Michael: Mr. Wood, what kinds of aerosols are released by Erebus? Are they the same kinds of aerosols we emit from spray cans of products?

Darby: How did you get to go to Antarctica 20 years ago? What kinds of layering and clothes do you wear while you work?

Jake: When was the last major eruption on Erebus? How big around is the crater on Erebus?

Trevor: What would happen if a major eruption happended on Erebus? We will submit more questions as you continue your expedition:)

Thanks! Lollie

Tue, 12/16/2008 - 19:51

John Wood

Hello Lollie and kids,
Thanks for the questions!  
Michael: The aerosols from Erebus are not similar to what we use.  The size of the compounds are about 0.2 microns, which is very small.  The compounds are primarily Sodium, Potassium chlorides, flourides and sulfates.
Darby: When I graduated from college with a degree in science I looked around for jobs that sounded interesting.  There were a lot, but to work in Antarctica seemed to be a great opportunity.  The clothing is important.  Usually there are four layers.  A base layer, a light long layer, a layer of fleece, and an outer layer of windproof material with insulation.  If you get cold you can add, and if you get warm from working, you can take a light layer off without getting cold.  
Jake: James Ross wrote about seeing Mt. Erebus throwing fire from the top in the mid 1800's.  It was just in January of 2007 that the volcano threw out bits of lave that resulted in bombs, some of which were 3-4 feet in diameter.  This damaged some equipment around the rim.
Trevor: Because Mt. Erebus is so far away from any major populations a major eruption would not cause a lot of damage.  However, the folks that are living at McMurdo Station may be in real danger! 

Wed, 12/17/2008 - 12:12

Lollie Garay

John, thanks for your response. We are fascinated by Erebus and the work you all are doing. We have some follow-up questions:
Trevor: In a major eruption, what can happen to the mountains and the continent? the eruptions from Pinatubo and Mt. St. Helens did a lot of damage. How could they compare. will it be as exposive?
Darby: Where are the other volcanoes where the special crystals are found?
Jake: Is there any way to estimate how large an eruption could be?
Michael: How did the step form in the crater?
Kyle: How does the Cat scan of the volcano compare to a medical cat scan?
thanks, Lollie!
 

Wed, 12/17/2008 - 19:38

John Wood

Great questions Lolie,
Trevor: There aren't any trees or structures to cause a lot of damage.  Mt. Erebus is really such a small part of Antarctica that a major eruption would change the local area for a while, but not much.  Erebus has not had a major eruption enough to be explosive for a long time and does not show signs of any in the near future.
Darby:  The other two volcanoes that are similar in forming crystals are both in Africa.  Nyiragongo in the Congo and Erta’Ale in Ethiopia are the other two.
Jake: There is really no way of of making a prediction on the size of an eruption  that is reliable.  There are so many factors involved.
Michael: The step in the crater is probably left over from previous eruptions when the outer crater built up, and then a shift in force or position caused the inner crater to collaspe inside part of the larger crater.
Kyle: We are using the term "cat scan" to help people get a better idea of what we are trying to do.  Using seismic waves is not very similar to the medical scan that you would receive.  They both do use energy through a mass to help form an image.
Thanks,
John 

Thu, 12/18/2008 - 09:24

Guest

Mr. Wood, so would the aerosols be like the ones released from Mt Pinatubo if Erebus were to erupt?

Thu, 12/18/2008 - 11:37

John Wood

Erebus would probably produce a similar sulfate aerosols but not as much due to the lower sulfur contenct in Erebus. 
Cheers,
Mr. Wood