Big Ben (Heard Island) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Big Ben |
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Satellite image of the southern tip of Heard Island. Cape Arkona is seen on the left side of the image, with Lied Glacier just above and Gotley Glacier just below. Big Ben and Mawson Peak are seen at the lower right side of the image.
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,745 m (9,006 ft) |
| Prominence | 2,745 m (9,006 ft) |
| Listing | Country high point Ultra |
| Geography | |
 Location in Indian Ocean
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| Location | Heard Island, Australia |
| Topo map | RAN Heard Island 291 |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Quaternary |
| Mountain type | Stratovolcano |
| Last eruption | 2012 – ongoing (as of 11 June 2019) |
Big Ben is a huge volcanic mountain on Heard Island in the southern Indian Ocean. It's a type of volcano called a stratovolcano. This means it's shaped like a cone and built up by many layers of hardened lava and ash. Big Ben is about 25 kilometers (15 miles) wide.
Its highest point is called Mawson Peak. This peak reaches 2,745 meters (9,000 feet) above sea level. Most of Big Ben is covered in ice. There are 14 large glaciers that flow from the mountain down to the sea. Big Ben is the tallest mountain in Australian Territory, except for some areas claimed in Australian Antarctic Territory.
A smaller volcanic area, the Laurens Peninsula, sticks out about 10 kilometers (6 miles) to the northwest. This was formed by a different volcano, Mount Dixon. Its highest point is Anzac Peak, which is 715 meters (2,346 feet) tall.
Big Ben has had many names over time. Some of these include Big Ben Peak, Old Ben Mountain, Emperor William Peak, and Kaiser Wilhelm-Berg.
Volcanic Activity
Scientists have known about volcanic activity at Big Ben since 1881. An eruption happened in 1993. Satellite pictures showed more eruptions in 2000.
On February 2, 2016, people at Atlas Cove, about 15 kilometers (9 miles) away, saw plumes of smoke and ash. These plumes went up to 1 kilometer (3,280 feet) high over the volcano. Satellites also spotted hot spots at different times from 2003 to 2008, and again in September 2012.
Another eruption was reported on February 2, 2016. Scientists on an expedition nearby were able to record it. Big Ben doesn't put people in danger because Heard Island has no one living on it.
Big Ben is in a very far-off place. Because it's not watched all the time, it's possible that other eruptions have happened without anyone knowing.
