Mount Erebus, a volcano located in the icy landscape of Antarctica, has been erupting non-stop since at least 1972. It also contains a lake of molten rock at its summit. The volcano has an unusual chemical composition, releasing a rare combination of minerals, including 80 grams of solidified gold each day. At today’s prices, this amounts to approximately $6,000 of gold daily. However, there’s an even more fascinating aspect to Erebus.
The geological characteristics of darkness
Antarctica is famous for its vast layers of ice and snow, but it’s also an extremely active volcanic area. According to a recent report, the continent has at least 138 volcanoes, and Erebus is among the most active ones. This stratovolcano known as Mount Erebus arises from layers of lava flows and tephra, which is a mixture of volcanic ash, pumice, and other debris. Its peak stands at an elevation of 3,794 meters (12,450 ft), making it the second tallest volcano in Antarctica after the dormant Mount Sidley. What sets Erebus apart is its continual lava lake, which is one of only a few in the world and is located inside the main crater.An image from NASA presents a satellite view of Mount Erebus with the glow emanating from its persistent lava lake.
Mount Erebus is a stratovolcano, formed from layers of lava flows and tephra — a mix of volcanic ash, pumice, and other debris. Its summit reaches an altitude of 3,794 meters (12,450 ft), making it the second-tallest volcano in Antarctica, after the dormant Mount Sidley. What sets Erebus apart is its persistent lava lake (one of only a handful on Earth), which resides within the main crater.
Mount Erebus’ activity is characterized by so-called “strombolian eruptions”. These are moderate bursts of explosive activity. Basically, the volcano regularly emits plumes of