Antarctica Volcanoes
Antarctica has 19 Holocene volcanoes. Note that as a scientific organization we provide these listings for informational purposes only, with no international legal or policy implications. Volcanoes will be included on this list if they are within the boundaries of a country, on a shared boundary or area, in a remote territory, or within a maritime Exclusive Economic Zone. Bolded volcanoes have erupted within the past 20 years. Suggestions and data updates are always welcome ().
Volcano Name | Location | Last Eruption | Primary Volcano Type |
---|---|---|---|
Andrus | Marie Byrd Land | Unknown - Evidence Uncertain | Shield(s) |
Berlin | Marie Byrd Land | 8350 BCE | Shield(s) |
Bridgeman Island | South Shetland Islands | Unknown - Evidence Uncertain | Stratovolcano |
Buckle Island | Balleny Islands | 1899 CE | Stratovolcano |
Deception Island | South Shetland Islands | 1970 CE | Caldera |
Erebus | Ross Island | 2023 CE | Stratovolcano |
Hudson Mountains | Ellsworth Land | 207 BCE | Stratovolcano(es) |
Melbourne | Victoria Land | 1892 CE | Stratovolcano |
Melville | South Shetland Islands | Unknown - Evidence Uncertain | Stratovolcano |
Morning | Victoria Land | Unknown - Evidence Uncertain | Shield |
Mount Haddington Volcanic Field | Graham Land | Unknown - Evidence Credible | Shield |
Paulet | South Shetland Islands | Unknown - Evidence Credible | Pyroclastic cone |
Penguin Island | South Shetland Islands | 1905 CE | Stratovolcano |
The Pleiades | Victoria Land | 1050 BCE | Stratovolcano |
Royal Society Range | Marie Byrd Land | Unknown - Evidence Uncertain | Pyroclastic cone(s) |
Sturge Island | Balleny Islands | Unknown - Evidence Uncertain | Stratovolcano |
Takahe | Marie Byrd Land | 5550 BCE | Shield |
Unnamed | Victoria Land | Unknown - Evidence Uncertain | Submarine |
Young Island | Balleny Islands | Unknown - Evidence Uncertain | Stratovolcano |
Chronological listing of known Holocene eruptions (confirmed or uncertain) from volcanoes in Antarctica. Bolded eruptions indicate continuing activity.
Volcano Name | Start Date | Stop Date | Certainty | VEI | Evidence |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Deception Island | [1987 Jul 23] | [Unknown] | Uncertain | ||
Hudson Mountains | [1985 Jul 2 ± 182 days] | [Unknown] | Uncertain | ||
Erebus | 1972 Dec 16 (in or before) ± 15 days | 2023 Apr 14 (continuing) | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Deception Island | [1972 Sep 29] | [1972 Sep 29] | Uncertain | ||
Erebus | 1972 Jan 3 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | 1 | Observations: Reported |
Deception Island | 1970 Aug 12 | Unknown | Confirmed | 3 | Observations: Reported |
Deception Island | 1969 Feb 21 | 1969 Mar 16 ± 15 days | Confirmed | 3 | Observations: Reported |
Deception Island | 1967 Dec 4 | 1967 Dec 7 | Confirmed | 3 | Observations: Reported |
Erebus | 1963 Nov 16 (in or before) ± 15 days | Unknown | Confirmed | 0 | Observations: Reported |
Erebus | [1957 Jul 2 ± 182 days] | [1958 Jul 2 ± 182 days] | Uncertain | ||
Erebus | 1955 Jul 2 ± 182 days | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Erebus | 1947 Feb | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Erebus | 1915 Aug | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Erebus | 1915 Mar 22 | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Erebus | 1912 Dec 12 | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Deception Island | 1912 ± 5 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 3 | Observations: Reported |
Erebus | 1911 Oct | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Erebus | 1911 Apr | 1911 Jun | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Erebus | 1908 Mar | 1908 Nov | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Penguin Island | 1905 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Chem/Bio: Lichenometry | |
Erebus | 1903 Jan 1 ± 730 days | Unknown | Confirmed | 0 | Observations: Reported |
Erebus | [1900 Feb] | [Unknown] | Uncertain | ||
Buckle Island | 1899 Jan 12 | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Melbourne | 1892 ± 30 years | Unknown | Confirmed | Correlation: Tephrochronology | |
Deception Island | 1871 ± 40 years | Unknown | Confirmed | Correlation: Tephrochronology | |
Penguin Island | 1850 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Observations: Reported | |
Paulet | [1850] | [Unknown] | Uncertain | ||
Deception Island | 1842 Feb | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Erebus | 1841 Jan 28 (?) | 1841 Feb | Confirmed | 1 | Observations: Reported |
Buckle Island | 1839 Feb 9 | Unknown | Confirmed | 2 | Observations: Reported |
Deception Island | [1839 (in or before)] | [Unknown] | Uncertain | ||
Deception Island | 1827 ± 2 years | Unknown | Confirmed | Observations: Reported | |
Deception Island | 1800 (in or before) | Unknown | Confirmed | Observations: Reported | |
Penguin Island | 1683 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Chem/Bio: Lichenometry | |
Deception Island | 1641 ± 3 years | Unknown | Confirmed | Sidereal: Ice Core | |
Deception Island | 1500 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | |
Deception Island | 1200 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | |
Erebus | 0950 ± 4000 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 0 | Isotopic: Ar/Ar |
Deception Island | 0900 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | |
Deception Island | 0600 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | |
Deception Island | 0100 (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | |
Deception Island | 0100 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | |
Hudson Mountains | 0207 BCE ± 240 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 4 | Sidereal: Ice Core |
Deception Island | 0250 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | |
Deception Island | 0550 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | |
Deception Island | 0700 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | |
Deception Island | 0750 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | |
Deception Island | 0800 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | |
The Pleiades | 1050 BCE ± 14000 years | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: K/Ar | |
Deception Island | 1550 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | |
Erebus | 2050 BCE ± 3000 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 0 | Isotopic: Ar/Ar |
Deception Island | 2750 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | |
Erebus | 2950 BCE ± 300 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 0 | Isotopic: Cosmic Ray Exposure |
Deception Island | 3250 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | |
Erebus | 4050 BCE ± 500 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 0 | Isotopic: Cosmic Ray Exposure |
Erebus | 4550 BCE ± 500 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 0 | Isotopic: Cosmic Ray Exposure |
Takahe | 5550 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Sidereal: Ice Core | |
Takahe | 6250 BCE ± 5400 years | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: Ar/Ar | |
Deception Island | 6750 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Isotopic: 14C (uncalibrated) | |
Takahe | 7050 BCE (?) | Unknown | Confirmed | Sidereal: Ice Core | |
Erebus | 7050 BCE ± 2000 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 0 | Isotopic: Ar/Ar |
Erebus | 8050 BCE ± 5000 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 0 | Isotopic: Ar/Ar |
Berlin | 8350 BCE ± 5300 years | Unknown | Confirmed | 0 | Isotopic: Ar/Ar |
Antarctica has 29 Pleistocene volcanoes. Note that as a scientific organization we provide these listings for informational purposes only, with no international legal or policy implications. Volcanoes will be included on this list if they are within the boundaries of a country, on a shared boundary or area, in a remote territory, or within a maritime Exclusive Economic Zone. Suggestions and data updates are always welcome ().
Volcano Name | Location | Primary Volcano Type |
---|---|---|
Adare Peninsula | Antarctica and South Sandwich Islands | Shield(s) |
Argo Point | Antarctica and South Sandwich Islands | Pyroclastic cone |
Beaufort Island | Antarctica and South Sandwich Islands | Stratovolcano |
Beethoven Peninsula | Antarctica and South Sandwich Islands | Volcanic field |
Black Island | Antarctica and South Sandwich Islands | Pyroclastic cone(s) |
Brabant Island | Antarctica and South Sandwich Islands | Volcanic field |
Bursey | Antarctica and South Sandwich Islands | Shield(s) |
Crary Group | Antarctica and South Sandwich Islands | Shield(s) |
Discovery | Antarctica and South Sandwich Islands | Stratovolcano |
Franklin Island | Antarctica and South Sandwich Islands | Shield |
Gaussberg | Antarctica and South Sandwich Islands | Cone |
Hut Point Peninsula | Antarctica and South Sandwich Islands | Pyroclastic cone(s) |
Livingston-Greenwich Islands | Antarctica and South Sandwich Islands | Tuff cone(s) |
Mason Spur | Antarctica and South Sandwich Islands | Lava dome(s) |
Murphy | Antarctica and South Sandwich Islands | Shield |
Obiglio | Antarctica and South Sandwich Islands | Pyroclastic cone |
Peter I Island | Antarctica and South Sandwich Islands | Shield |
Mount Rittmann | Antarctica and South Sandwich Islands | Shield |
Seal Nunataks Volcanic Field | Antarctica and South Sandwich Islands | Pyroclastic cone(s) |
Shepard Island | Antarctica and South Sandwich Islands | Tuff cone(s) |
Siple | Antarctica and South Sandwich Islands | Shield |
Tabarin Peninsula | Antarctica and South Sandwich Islands | Shield? |
Taylor Valley | Antarctica and South Sandwich Islands | Pyroclastic cone(s) |
Terror | Antarctica and South Sandwich Islands | Shield |
Toney Mountain | Antarctica and South Sandwich Islands | Shield |
Transantarctic Mountain Foothills | Antarctica and South Sandwich Islands | Unknown |
Unnamed | Antarctica and South Sandwich Islands | Pyroclastic cone(s) |
Waesche | Antarctica and South Sandwich Islands | Shield(s) |
White Island | Antarctica and South Sandwich Islands | Shield(s) |
There are 42 photos available for volcanoes in Antarctica.

Photo by Oscar González-Ferrán (University of Chile).

Photo by Oscar González-Ferrán (University of Chile).

Photo by Arrigo Caserta, 2000 (Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Roma).

Satellite image courtesy of Copernicus Sentinel Data, 2020.

Photo by Melvin Vye, 2006.

Photo by Jeff Post, 2007 (Smithsonian Institution).

Photo by Bill Rose, 1983 (Michigan Technological University).

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1984.

Photo by Juan Bastias (published in González-Ferrán, 1995).

Photo by Oscar González-Ferrán (University of Chile).

Photo by U.S. Navy.

Photo by Oscar González-Ferrán (University of Chile).

Satellite image courtesy of Copernicus Sentinel Data, 2020.

Photo by Bill Rose, 1983 (Michigan Technological University).

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1984.

Photo by Bernardo Blass, 1967 (published in González-Ferrán, 1995).

Photo by the Chilean Navy, 1967 (published in González-Ferrán, 1995).

Photo by Oscar González-Ferrán (University of Chile).

Photo by Bill Rose, 1983 (Michigan Technological University).

Photo by Bill Rose, 1983 (Michigan Technological University).

U. S. Navy photo TMA 1627 F33 088, 1985.

Photo by Oscar González-Ferrán (University of Chile).

Photo by Oscar González-Ferrán (University of Chile).

Photo by Bill Rose, 1983 (Michigan Technological University).

Photo by Bernardo Blass, 1967 (published in González-Ferrán, 1995).

U. S. Navy photo TMA 2035 F31 203.

Photo by Oscar González-Ferrán (University of Chile).

Photo by Oscar González-Ferrán (University of Chile).

Photo by Oscar González-Ferrán (University of Chile).

Satellite image courtesy of Copernicus Sentinel Data, 2020.

Photo by Richard Waitt, 1972 (U.S. Geological Survey).

Satellite image courtesy of Copernicus Sentinel Data, 2019.

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1984

Photo by Bill Rose, 1983 (Michigan Technological University).

Copyrighted photo by Katia and Maurice Krafft, 1984.

U. S. Navy photo TMA 1718 F33 022.

Satellite image courtesy of Copernicus Sentinel Data, 2020.

Photo by Bill Rose, 1983 (Michigan Technological University).

Photo by Oscar González-Ferrán (University of Chile).

Photo by Bill Rose, 1983 (Michigan Technological University).

Photo by British Antarctic Survey, 1967 (published in González-Ferrán, 1995).

Photo published in González-Ferrán (1995).
This is a compilation of Antarctica volcano information sources, such as official monitoring or other government agencies.
Volcanic Ash Advisory Center | |
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Buenos Aires Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) | |
- Buenos Aires VAAC Archive |