About Royal Society Range
Royal Society Range is a pyroclastic cone(s) rising to 3,000 meters (9,843 feet) in Antarctica's Antarctic-Scotia Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Royal Society Range is located in Antarctica, within the McMurdo Volcanic Province of the broader Antarctic-Scotia Volcanic Regions. Situated at 78.25° S, 163.33° E in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a polar climate zone. At 3,000 meters above sea level, Royal Society Range 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 cluster, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Royal Society Range 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 Royal Society Range 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.
GVP Reference Summary
A large number of basaltic cinder cones and lava flows are located in the Royal Society Range of southern Victoria Land. Most vents are of Quaternary age. More than 50 basaltic vents, ranging from tiny scoria mounds to cinder cones up to 300 m high, occupy the foothills. Tephra layers in the ice of Kempe Glacier, K-Ar ages as young as 80,000 years old, and well-preserved geomorphic forms, all argued for young, possibly even Holocene ages (LeMasurier and Thomson, 1990).
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Royal Society Range.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Royal Society Range
Is Royal Society Range an active volcano?+
Royal Society Range is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Evidence Uncertain." No recorded eruptions have been documented. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
How high is Royal Society Range?+
Royal Society Range has a summit elevation of 3,000 meters (9,843 feet) above sea level. At 3,000 meters, it is comparable in height to many significant mountain peaks and stands well above the tree line.
What type of volcano is Royal Society Range?+
Royal Society Range is classified as a Pyroclastic cone(s). Pyroclastic cones (or cinder cones) are small, steep-sided volcanic cones built from fragments of lava blasted into the air. They are the simplest type of volcano and often form in groups.
Where is Royal Society Range located?+
Royal Society Range is located in Antarctica, in the Antarctic-Scotia Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the McMurdo Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are -78.250° latitude, 163.330° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Royal Society Range?+
Royal Society Range 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.
