Unveiling the volcanic secrets beneath Antarctica's ice
The world is full of mysteries. One territory that might still be hiding various secrets is Antarctica. This continent is covered with volcanoes that could erupt at any moment! Could these 138 volcanoes possibly be a real threat to the world someday?
Antarctica is the fifth-largest continent, with an area of 14.2 million square kilometres. According to scientists at Yale University, Antarctica was once a continent where high and positive temperatures prevailed. Most likely, even 100 million years ago, there were lush rainforests in Antarctica. Currently, Antarctica is an icy basin... of volcanoes.
Could the volcanoes in Antarctica erupt?
Antarctica is a true kingdom of volcanoes. According to experts, there are as many as 138 of them there. It's quite possible that not all have been discovered, and there could be many more. A study published in the Geological Society Journal in 2017 describes the discovery of the first 91 volcanoes in Antarctica. Livescience.com reports that currently, only two active volcanoes are recognized on this continent, which could realistically erupt someday. These are:
Despite continuous observation by scientists, it is incredibly difficult to determine when exactly one might erupt. It's worth noting that researchers check volcano activity using specialized instruments, primarily seismometers, which detect seismic activity.
What else is known about the volcanoes in Antarctica?
Indeed, there are currently two volcanoes in Antarctica, which experts believe realistically have a chance to erupt, yet the last eruption on this continent occurred recently. Specifically, the active volcano Erebus erupted two years ago, in 2022. Interestingly, this volcano began to form its shape about 1.3 million years ago. Surely, proof of the activity of this ice-covered volcano is the fact that Erebus often ejects volcanic bombs from its interior.
It is also worth emphasizing that Antarctica is home to numerous fumaroles and volcanic vents that release gases and vapours into the atmosphere. Under the right conditions, accumulation from these vents can create deposits known as ice tower fumaroles. Their height can reach up to nearly 3 metres.
Sources: Livescience.com, Geological Society.
