What kind of volcano is Erebus?

Erebus is classified as a Stratovolcano in Antarctica. Its tectonic setting is Intraplate / Continental crust (> 25 km).

How is seismicity near Erebus monitored here?

Earthquakes within 50 km of the crater are aggregated from 18 seismic networks and checked against a swarm rule that compares the current rate with this volcano's own 30-day background. Ash advisories come from the VAAC centres that are connected.

Ice-encrusted summit of Mount Erebus on Ross Island, Antarctica

Photo:Richard Waittvia Smithsonian GVP

Volcano Dossier•GVP #390020

77.53°S, 167.17°E

Erupted since 2000

Volcano Erebus

The southernmost active volcano on Earth, on Ross Island in Antarctica, with one of the few long-lived lava lakes. Its gas plume carries tiny crystals of gold, and the research stations McMurdo and Scott Base stand on the same island.

Last eruption

2026

Erupted since 2000

Summit

3.8 km

Stratovolcano · Phonolite

Activity

Normal Baseline

0 events (1.0x rate)

Interactive Volcano & Seismicity Map

Seismicity within 50 km radius, active VAAC ash plumes, and tectonic plate boundaries.

Recent seismicity within 50 km

0 events in the last 12 h within 25 km of the crater.

No catalogued earthquakes within 50 km in the last 90 days.

Geological & Tectonic Profile

Stratovolcano

Erebus is an active Stratovolcano formed in an active Intraplate / Continental crust (> 25 km). Dominant lithology: Phonolite.

Edifice TypeStratovolcano

Major rockPhonolite

TectonicsIntraplate

Volcanic ArcMcMurdo Volcanic Province

Volcano Dossier

VN #390020

Official catalogue parameters, coordinates, elevation and geotectonic classification.

CountryAntarctica

Crater Coordinates-77.530°, 167.170°

Summit3.8 km

SubregionMcMurdo Volcanic Province

Catalog SourceSmithsonian GVP (#390020)

Authoritative Monitoring Infrastructure

All 18 Networks & VAAC →

Seismic ObservatoryGSN / FDSN

Global Seismographic Network & Regional Centers

Official Portal

ICAO Aviation Ash Center

ICAO Volcanic Ash Advisory Network

International Civil Aviation Organization

VAAC Advisory Desk

Swarm telemetry correlated across 18 networks against a 30-day baseline.Read Science & Physics →

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Verified scientific, operational, and emergency protocols

The most recent eruption of Erebus recorded by the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program was in 2026.

Catalogue: Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program.Smithsonian GVP profile