Mount Erebus: The Southernmost Active Volcano with a Tragic History and a Golden Secret

Mount Erebus, located on Ross Island near Antarctica, is the southernmost active volcano on Earth, standing at an impressive 3,794 meters (12,448 feet). This volcano, named after one of Sir James Clark Rosss ships, HMS Erebus, was discovered during Rosss Antarctic expedition in 1841. In Greek mythology, Erebus is the personification of darkness, one of the first five beings in existence, born of Chaos.

Geological Significance and Unique Features

Mount Erebus is renowned for its continuous eruption since at least 1972 and features a lava lake at one of its summit craters. This unique geological feature prevents the surface from freezing over, despite the harsh Antarctic environment. The volcano is known for its strombolian eruptions, which involve the moderate ejection of gas, steam, and rocky debris.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Mount Erebus is its daily emission of gold dust. The volcano spews out approximately 80 grams of gold-laden gas every day, valued at around $6,000. These micro-crystals of gold, not bigger than 20 micrometers, are carried by volcanic gas and have been detected as far as 621 miles away from the volcano. This phenomenon makes Mount Erebus the only known volcano to emit gold in its metallic form.

The Tragic Erebus Disaster

Mount Erebus is also infamous for one of the worst aviation disasters in history. On November 28, 1979, Air New Zealand Flight 901, a DC-10 sightseeing flight, crashed into the lower slopes of Mount Erebus, killing all 257 people on board. The flight was part of a tourism program that allowed passengers to fly from Auckland to Antarctica and back. Despite poor weather conditions, the flight proceeded, and the pilot, Captain Jim Collins, attempted to lower the aircraft to about 2,000 feet by spiraling down. However, a 'whiteout' condition, where the ice-covered volcano blended with the cloudy sky and snow, made it impossible for the pilot to judge the distance, leading to the tragic crash.

The investigation into the crash was extensive and controversial. While the chief inspector of air accidents initially attributed the disaster to pilot error, Justice Peter Mahons Royal Commission of Inquiry later placed the blame on Air New Zealand and its systems. The controversy surrounding the accident led to significant changes in aviation safety procedures and the discontinuation of Air New Zealands sightseeing flights over Antarctica.

Memorial and Legacy

The Erebus disaster has been remembered through various memorial services and anniversaries. In 2019, to mark the 40th anniversary of the tragedy, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and the chair of Air New Zealand delivered an apology. Efforts are ongoing to establish a permanent National Erebus Memorial in New Zealand.

Mount Erebus continues to be a subject of scientific interest and public fascination, both for its unique geological features and its tragic history. Its ongoing eruptions and the emission of gold dust make it a remarkable natural wonder in one of the most inhospitable environments on Earth.

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For more detailed information on volcanic eruptions and their impact, visit the Wikipedia page on volcanic eruptions.