Mount Erebus
Mount Erebus (elevation: 12,444 feet, 3,794 m) is on Ross Island in the Ross Sea. Erebus is an active volcano with a convecting lava lake within a summit crater. It has been continuously active since 1972. Most eruptions are small and Strombolian in character, tossing bombs onto the crater rim. The volcano is less than one million years old.
 |
| Ice Tower of Mount Erebus |
The lava within the lava lake is alkalic in composition. Specifically, it is called anorthoclase phonolite. Anorthoclase is a feldspar mineral. Phonolite refers to rocks made of the minerals alkali feldspar and nepheline. Alkalic lava is common in rift volcanoes.