About Pleiades, The
Pleiades, The is a stratovolcano rising to 3,040 meters (9,974 feet) in Antarctica's Antarctic-Scotia Volcanic Regions. Its last known eruption dates to 1050 BCE, in prehistoric times. The volcano has produced 1 recorded eruption.
Geography & Climate
Pleiades, The is located in Antarctica, within the McMurdo Volcanic Province of the broader Antarctic-Scotia Volcanic Regions. Situated at 72.67° S, 165.50° E in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a polar climate zone. At 3,040 meters above sea level, Pleiades, The rises above the surrounding terrain into montane or subalpine conditions. The elevation creates distinct ecological zones along its flanks, from forested lower slopes to exposed rocky terrain near the summit. The volcanic landform is characterized as a composite, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Pleiades, The is an intraplate volcano, meaning it formed away from any plate boundary. These volcanoes are often powered by hotspots — plumes of abnormally hot mantle material rising from deep within the Earth. Hotspot volcanoes like Pleiades, The tend to produce effusive eruptions with lava flows that can be relatively predictable, giving nearby communities in Antarctica more time to prepare. However, they can also produce explosive phases, particularly when magma interacts with groundwater. The dominant rock type is trachyandesite / basaltic trachyandesite, a dark, fine-grained volcanic rock that forms from rapidly cooling, low-viscosity lava. Basaltic eruptions tend to be less explosive and produce fluid lava flows that can travel long distances. While less immediately dangerous than explosive eruptions, basaltic lava flows can destroy structures and infrastructure in their path, and volcanic gases released during these eruptions can affect air quality over a wide area.
Eruption History Summary
Pleiades, The has 1 recorded eruption in the geological database, spanning from 1050 BCE to 1050 BCE.
GVP Reference Summary
The Pleiades volcano consists of the small trachytic Mount Pleiones stratovolcano which, along with several lava domes and nested cinder cones with well-preserved craters, rises above the broad Evans Neve plateau. Located in the Melbourne Volcanic Province of Antarctica's northern Victoria Land near the western coast of the Ross Sea, they appear to be among the youngest volcanic centers in Antarctica. A Potassium-Argon age of 3,000 years was obtained from the Taygete cone NNE of Mount Pleiones. Other dates of 12-40,000 years support a youthful age despite the large analytical uncertainties.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
1 Recorded Eruption
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1050 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | NE of Mount Pleiones (Taygete Cone) |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Pleiades, The
Is Pleiades, The an active volcano?+
Pleiades, The is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 1050 BCE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Pleiades, The last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Pleiades, The occurred in 1050 BCE. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Pleiades, The has 1 recorded eruption in total.
How high is Pleiades, The?+
Pleiades, The has a summit elevation of 3,040 meters (9,974 feet) above sea level. At 3,040 meters, it is comparable in height to many significant mountain peaks and stands well above the tree line.
What type of volcano is Pleiades, The?+
Pleiades, The is classified as a Stratovolcano. Stratovolcanoes (also called composite volcanoes) are steep, conical volcanoes built up by many layers of hardened lava, tephra, and volcanic ash. They are among the most common and dangerous types, known for explosive eruptions.
Where is Pleiades, The located?+
Pleiades, The is located in Antarctica, in the Antarctic-Scotia Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the McMurdo Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are -72.670° latitude, 165.500° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Pleiades, The?+
Pleiades, The can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Antarctica may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.