About Takahe
Takahe is a shield rising to 3,460 meters (11,352 feet) in Antarctica's Antarctic-Scotia Volcanic Regions. The volcano is currently active, with its most recent eruption in 5550 BCE. The volcano has produced 3 recorded eruptions.
Geography & Climate
Takahe is located in Antarctica, within the Western Antarctica Volcanic Province of the broader Antarctic-Scotia Volcanic Regions. Situated at 76.28° S, 112.08° W in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a polar climate zone. At 3,460 meters above sea level, Takahe 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
Takahe 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 Takahe 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
Takahe has 3 recorded eruptions in the geological database, spanning from 7050 BCE to 5550 BCE. These eruptions span roughly 1,500 years of volcanic history.
GVP Reference Summary
Mount Takahe is an isolated shield volcano in eastern Marie Byrd Land with an 8-km-wide summit caldera. The massive 780 km3 volcano displays a conical, youthful morphology, and the oldest dated rocks are only 310,000 years old. Three samples were too young to date by Potassium-Argon, and some tephra layers younger than 30,000 years in the Byrd Station ice core are thought to have originated from Takahe. Two early Holocene phreatomagmatic tephra layers in the Antarctic ice core were attributed to Takahe (Palais et al., 1988). The latest stage of activity constructed cinder cones on the upper southern flanks and tuff cones and cinder cones on the lower SW and NE flanks.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
3 Recorded Eruptions
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5550 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | — |
| 6250 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | — |
| 7050 BCE | — | Confirmed Eruption | — |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Takahe
Is Takahe an active volcano?+
Takahe is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 5550 BCE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Takahe last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Takahe occurred in 5550 BCE. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Takahe has 3 recorded eruptions in total.
How high is Takahe?+
Takahe has a summit elevation of 3,460 meters (11,352 feet) above sea level. At 3,460 meters, it is comparable in height to many significant mountain peaks and stands well above the tree line.
What type of volcano is Takahe?+
Takahe is classified as a Shield. Shield volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Takahe located?+
Takahe is located in Antarctica, in the Antarctic-Scotia Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Western Antarctica Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are -76.280° latitude, -112.080° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Takahe?+
Takahe 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.