About Siple
Siple is a shield rising to 3,110 meters (10,204 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
Siple is located in Antarctica, within the Western Antarctica Volcanic Province of the broader Antarctic-Scotia Volcanic Regions. Situated at 73.43° S, 126.67° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a polar climate zone. At 3,110 meters above sea level, Siple 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.
GVP Reference Summary
Mount Siple is a shield volcano that forms an island along the Pacific Ocean coast of Antarctica's Marie Byrd Land. The massive 1,800 km3 volcano is truncated by a 4-5 km summit caldera and is ringed by tuff cones at sea level. A possible eruption cloud observed on satellite images on 18 September and 4 October 1988 was considered to result from atmospheric effects, after low-level aerial observations revealed no evidence of recent eruptions. Trachytic rocks at the summit have been Ar-Ar dated to about 227,000 and 169,000 years old.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Siple.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Siple
Is Siple an active volcano?+
Siple is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "unknown." No recorded eruptions have been documented. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
How high is Siple?+
Siple has a summit elevation of 3,110 meters (10,204 feet) above sea level. At 3,110 meters, it is comparable in height to many significant mountain peaks and stands well above the tree line.
What type of volcano is Siple?+
Siple is classified as a Shield. Shield volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Siple located?+
Siple is located in Antarctica, in the Antarctic-Scotia Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Western Antarctica Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are -73.430° latitude, -126.670° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Siple?+
Siple 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.