Transcript Mount Erebus, Ross Island, Antarctica

Volcanic Eruptions
(A tectonic process)
Eruptions results in the ADDITION of
carbon to the atmosphere
Movement of carbon from the lithosphere to the atmosphere
Rocks naturally contain
carbon.
When tectonic plates
collide, one sinks below
the other. The sinking rock
melts under extreme heat
and pressure. The heated
rock recombines into
various rock minerals but
importantly, carbon
dioxide is released.
When volcanoes erupt
they vent gas into the
atmosphere and can cover
the land in ash.
Mount Erebus, Ross Island, Antarctica
At present, volcanoes emit
between 130 - 380 million
metric tons of carbon
dioxide per year.
For comparison, humans
emit about 30 billion tons
of carbon dioxide per year.
So that’s 100-300 times
more than volcanoes!
Mt Erebus, a stratovolcano, was discovered in 1841 by polar explorer
James Clark Ross. Standing at a height of 3,200m it is situated only
35km away from Scott Base! The caldera at its centre has a volcanic
lake which often emits steam. It is currently the most active volcano
in Antarctica.
Air New Zealand Flight 901
Air New Zealand began
sightseeing tours to
Antarctica in 1977.
A scheduled sightseeing
service Air NZ Flight 901
crashed into Mt Erebus in
whiteout conditions on
November 28, 1979, killing
257 people on board.
Air New Zealand
discontinued the service
after the crash.