About Est, Ile de l'
Est, Ile de l' is a stratovolcano rising to 1,090 meters (3,576 feet) in France's Somalian-Antarctic Volcanic Regions. No historical eruptions have been recorded, though the volcano is classified based on geological evidence of past activity.
Geography & Climate
Est, Ile de l' is located in France, within the Crozet Hotspot Volcano Group of the broader Somalian-Antarctic Volcanic Regions. Situated at 46.43° S, 52.20° E in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,090 meters above sea level, Est, Ile de l' is a moderately sized peak that remains accessible to hikers and researchers for much of the year. 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
Est, Ile de l' is situated along a rift zone, where tectonic plates are pulling apart. As the crust thins and fractures, magma rises to fill the gap, creating volcanic activity. Rift volcanism typically produces more fluid lava flows rather than explosive blasts, which means communities near Est, Ile de l' in France generally face slower-moving hazards like lava flows and ground fissures rather than sudden pyroclastic events. However, rift volcanoes can still generate significant ash emissions and gas releases that affect local air quality. The dominant rock type is basalt / picro-basalt, 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
Ile de l'Est, the easternmost island in the Crozet archipelago, is a glacially eroded basaltic stratovolcano. A metamorphosed gabbroic complex is cut by a dense network of dikes and cone sheets that fed younger volcanic rocks. The 10 x 19 km island is the oldest of the Crozet Islands, but contains five younger oxidized scoria cones, most of which are on its E flank. The young scoria cones may be Holocene (LeMasurier and Thomson, 1990).
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Est, Ile de l'.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Est, Ile de l'
Is Est, Ile de l' an active volcano?+
Est, Ile de l' 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 Est, Ile de l'?+
Est, Ile de l' has a summit elevation of 1,090 meters (3,576 feet) above sea level. At 1,090 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Est, Ile de l'?+
Est, Ile de l' 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 Est, Ile de l' located?+
Est, Ile de l' is located in France, in the Somalian-Antarctic Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Crozet Hotspot Volcano Group. Its exact coordinates are -46.430° latitude, 52.200° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Est, Ile de l'?+
Est, Ile de l' can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. France may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.
