McMurdo Volcanic Group facts for kids

The McMurdo Volcanic Group is a huge collection of volcanic rocks found in Antarctica. These rocks are from the Cenozoic Era, which started about 66 million years ago. You can find them near the western Ross Sea and in the central Transantarctic Mountains.

This group is one of the biggest areas of alkaline volcanism in the world. It formed because the Earth's crust was pulling apart. This process is called continental rifting. It happened along the West Antarctic Rift System.

The McMurdo Volcanic Group is part of a larger rock formation called the Western Ross Supergroup.

What Makes Up the McMurdo Volcanic Group?

The McMurdo Volcanic Group is divided into three main areas. These are the Hallett, Melbourne, and Erebus volcanic provinces. Each province has its own unique volcanoes and features.

Hallett Volcanic Province: Volcanoes by the Sea

Coulman Island in the Ross Sea is part of the Hallett Volcanic Province.

The Hallett Volcanic Province is located in northern Victoria Land. It stretches along the edge of the Transantarctic Mountains. This area has a chain of four large shield volcanoes. These volcanoes are long and wide, like a warrior's shield lying on the ground.

Scientists first thought these volcanoes erupted under a huge ice sheet. But later studies showed they actually erupted above the ice, in the open air.

Famous Volcanoes in Hallett Province

Melbourne Volcanic Province: An Arc of Fire

Mount Melbourne seen from the ice-covered Ross Sea. It is part of the Melbourne Volcanic Province.

The Melbourne Volcanic Province is also in northern Victoria Land. It forms a curved line that goes from the Ross Sea coast into the Transantarctic Mountains. This province has large volcanic centers. It also has many smaller basaltic vents spread out over a wide area. Basalt is a common type of dark, fine-grained volcanic rock.

Key Volcanoes in Melbourne Province

Erebus Volcanic Province: Southern Volcanoes

Mount Erebus on Ross Island is part of the Erebus Volcanic Province.

The Erebus Volcanic Province is located in southern Victoria Land. It includes volcanoes found in the southwest Ross Sea. There are also major volcanic areas in southern McMurdo Sound. You can find smaller basaltic centers in the McMurdo Dry Valleys. Some are also along the foothills of the Royal Society Range.

Important Volcanoes in Erebus Province