About Kerguelen Islands
Kerguelen Islands is a stratovolcano(es) rising to 1,840 meters (6,037 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
Kerguelen Islands is located in France, within the Kerguelen Hotspot Volcano Group of the broader Somalian-Antarctic Volcanic Regions. Situated at 49.58° S, 69.50° E in the Southern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. With a summit elevation of 1,840 meters above sea level, Kerguelen Islands 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
Kerguelen Islands 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 Kerguelen Islands tend to produce effusive eruptions with lava flows that can be relatively predictable, giving nearby communities in France 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
The Kerguelen Islands are composed primarily of Tertiary flood basalts and a complex of plutonic rocks. The trachybasaltic-to-trachytic Mount Ross stratovolcano at the S end was active during the late Pleistocene. The Rallier du Baty Peninsula on the SW tip of the island contains two youthful subglacial eruptive centers, Mont St. Allouarn and Mont Henri Rallier du Baty. An active fumarole field is related to a series of Holocene trachytic lava flows and lahars that extend beyond the icecap (Ballestracci and Nougier, 1984). Gagnevin et al. (2003) dated a trachytic ignimbrite that was considered to represent the last major eruptive event on the Kerguelen Archipelago at 26,000 +/- 3000 years.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
0 Recorded Eruptions
No eruption records available for Kerguelen Islands.
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Kerguelen Islands
Is Kerguelen Islands an active volcano?+
Kerguelen Islands 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 Kerguelen Islands?+
Kerguelen Islands has a summit elevation of 1,840 meters (6,037 feet) above sea level. At 1,840 meters, it is a moderately sized volcanic peak, roughly comparable to Mount Vesuvius (1,281m).
What type of volcano is Kerguelen Islands?+
Kerguelen Islands is classified as a Stratovolcano(es). Stratovolcano(es) volcanoes have distinct geological characteristics that set them apart from other volcanic types.
Where is Kerguelen Islands located?+
Kerguelen Islands is located in France, in the Somalian-Antarctic Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Kerguelen Hotspot Volcano Group. Its exact coordinates are -49.580° latitude, 69.500° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Kerguelen Islands?+
Kerguelen Islands 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.
