How can a volcano in Antarctica be like volcanoes thousands of miles to the north? The rocks found there are like rocks found near volcanoes in Africa. There you’ll find a lake of molten rock! This lava lake sometimes spits out “lava bombs,” or rocks that whiz overhead when a pocket of gas suddenly bubbles up from inside the lake.Įrebus is unusual in many ways. Some of these steam pillars are enormous, and last for many years.īut the real wonder is inside the volcano’s crater itself. Hot steam escaping directly into the air can freeze and create a sort of reverse icicle pointing toward the sky. Next are the towering pillars of frozen steam. Kyle says the caves are great places to explore and photograph, and they stay surprisingly warm. But this short trip up the sides of Erebus transports the scientists into what must seem like a different world.įirst there are ice caves, carved out by hot steam escaping from vents in the volcano’s sides. Then they walk the remaining short distance. Helicopters and snowmobiles take scientists from the station most of the way to the crater rim.

The other is used as a workshop and a place to store equipment. The research station, called MEVO for short, is just two simple huts. While they are there, they live and work on the side of the volcano itself! From there, it isn’t that far to Ross Island and the volcano. Kyle get to Erebus? First, they travel to Antarctica and a research station called McMurdo. He wants to understand what this volcano can tell us about Earth’s insides.

It is the most-southern active volcano in the world! Scientists live and work near the volcano’s summit at a place called the Mount Erebus Volcano Observatory. Steaming, red-hot rocks might fly over your head and crash onto the ice all around you.Īs you might guess, this isn’t an ordinary mountain. Sometimes the ground rumbles beneath your feet. There are caves carved from ice, frozen columns of steam, and sharp, jagged, black rocks, poking up from beneath the ice. Near the mountain’s peak are some of the most unusual formations found anywhere on the planet. The tiny spot of land is home to a strange and lovely mountain named Erebus ( er– uh-b uh s). Just off the continent of Antarctica is Ross Island. Interested in other nonfiction articles for your students? Browse all twenty sets from the Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears collection on our Stories for Students page! Reading strategy templates and related activities provide tips for integrating this story with your science and literacy instruction. Your students can listen to the story while they read our electronic book version.

Printable pdf files allow you to print this story in either text or a foldable book format. As always, consider the reading level and needs of your students when selecting a version for classroom use.Īt each grade level, the article is available in three forms. Students in grades K-1 are first introduced to volcanoes in general, and then specifically Mt. Modified versions are available for students in grades K-1 and grades 2-3, or any student needing a simplified version. As usual, we recommend using the related activities (see below) to support student comprehension. Erebus is located on Ross Island, off the coast of Antarctica. Erebus, the world’s most southern active volcano. This nonfiction article is written for use with upper-elementary students (grades 4-5).

Mount erebus on ross island