About Berlin
Berlin is a shield(s) rising to 3,478 meters (11,411 feet) in Antarctica's Antarctic-Scotia Volcanic Regions. The volcano is currently active, with its most recent eruption in 8350 BCE. The volcano has produced 1 recorded eruption.
Geography & Climate
Berlin is located in Antarctica, within the Western Antarctica Volcanic Province of the broader Antarctic-Scotia Volcanic Regions. Situated at 76.05° S, 136.00° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a polar climate zone. At 3,478 meters above sea level, Berlin 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 shield, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Berlin 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 Berlin 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 trachyte / trachydacite, an intermediate to silica-rich volcanic rock. This composition typically produces more viscous magma, leading to more explosive eruptions with ash columns and pyroclastic flows. Andesitic and dacitic magmas build pressure before erupting, which is why volcanoes with this rock chemistry are often associated with Plinian-style eruptions that can send ash tens of kilometers into the atmosphere and disrupt aviation across entire regions.
Eruption History Summary
Berlin has 1 recorded eruption in the geological database, spanning from 8350 BCE to 8350 BCE.
GVP Reference Summary
Mount Berlin consists of two coalescing shield volcanoes, Berlin Crater and Merrem Peak, each with a 2-km-wide summit caldera. Mount Berlin is located in the Flood Range of Marie Byrd Land, near the eastern coast of the Ross Sea. The two calderas are oriented along an east-west line, characteristic of Flood Range volcanoes. The westernmost and highest volcano, Berlin Crater, reaches 3478 m and is located 3.5 km ESE of Merrem Peak caldera. Berlin Crater displays active fumaroles along its western and northern caldera rims, producing the characteristic Antarctic fumarolic ice towers. The youngest dated tephra of a series of tephra layers in glacial ice at Mount Moulton that was attributed to Mount Berlin had an age of about 14.5 +/- 3.8 thousand years (ka), and a younger undated tephra layer was present. A lava flow at the base of an ice cave below a fumarolic ice tower was dated at about 10.3 +/- 2.7 ka.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
1 Recorded Eruption
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8350 BCE | 0 | Confirmed Eruption | — |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Berlin
Is Berlin an active volcano?+
Berlin is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 8350 BCE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Berlin last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Berlin occurred in 8350 BCE with a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 0. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Berlin has 1 recorded eruption in total.
How high is Berlin?+
Berlin has a summit elevation of 3,478 meters (11,411 feet) above sea level. At 3,478 meters, it is comparable in height to many significant mountain peaks and stands well above the tree line.
What type of volcano is Berlin?+
Berlin is classified as a Shield(s). Shield volcanoes are broad, gently sloping volcanoes built by fluid lava flows. They produce less explosive eruptions compared to stratovolcanoes and tend to have effusive lava rather than violent blasts.
Where is Berlin located?+
Berlin is located in Antarctica, in the Antarctic-Scotia Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Western Antarctica Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are -76.050° latitude, -136.000° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Berlin?+
Berlin 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.