Heard Island is the top of an active stratovolcano on the Kerguelen Plateau in the southern Indian Ocean, about 4000 km southwest of Western Australia. Part of Australian territory, along with McDonald Island to the west, Heard is one of Australia's two currently active volcanoes.
The volcano is frequently active, and occasional reports of eruptions date back to 1881. Since about 1980, remote sensing mostly via satellites has been able to detect more and frequent activity at the volcano.
The 368 sq km island with its highest point Mawson Peak at 2745 m forms the highest point of Australian territory outside Antarctica.
The uninhabited island was discovered by and named after Captain John Heard in 1853. Its remote location and typically extremely adverse weather and wind conditions make it difficult to access and only few expeditions have reached it. An Australian navy base existed on the island at Atlas Cove on the western side of Big Ben between December 1947 and March 1955.
Stratovolcano 2745 m / 9,006 ft
Australia, Southern Indian Ocean, -53.11°S / 73.51°E Heard volcano eruptions:
2012-13, 2006-08, 2003-04, 2000-01, 1993, 1992 (May), 1992 (Jan) (?), 1985-87, 1954, 1953, 1950-52, 1910, 1881 (?) Typical eruption style: unspecified
Heard webcams / live data Last earthquakes nearby
Heritage Expeditions are leading an expedition passenger voyage to Heard Island departing Fremantle on November 8. Looking forward to being first-on-the-scene to report back any signs of volcanic eruption!
NASA Earth Observatory image of Hear Island on 20 April 2013 by Jesse Allen and Robert Simmon
Effusive eruptive activity at the remote volcano continues. A recent satellite picture shows a new lava flow on the SW flank of Mawson Peak. A MODIS hot spot is visible as well. ...more
Starting in October 2012, satellites measured subtle signals that suggested volcanic activity on remote Heard Island. The recent satellite images (NASA Earth Observatory) have now provided proof of an eruption otherwise likely undetected. By April 7, 2013, Mawson’s steep-walled summit crater had filled, and a trickle of lava had spilled down the volcano’s southwestern flank. On April 20 the lava flow remained visible, and had even widened slightly just below the summit. [less]
Satellite images showing activity at Heard Island in recent months (Smithsonian / GVP)
The Smithsonian / GVP monthly Bulletin of the Global Volcanism Network for Jan 2013 confirms that Heard Island volcano is in eruption. A series of satellite images compared side by side show that the volcano started to produce lava (over-)flows from the summit crater of the Mawson Peak on the SE flank since December past year.
MODIS hot spots at the summit of Heard volcano (Univ. Hawai'i)
A significant heat source continues to show up on MODIS satellite data. A recent (9 March) EO1-Hyperion (NASA) satellite picture shows what could be a lava lake in the summit crater of Mawson Peak. ...more
This would be something in the line of the little what is known about the typical activity of Heard volcano, which has now been in eruption probably since end of September 2012. [less]
Terra / MODIS satellite image with Heard island on 17 March 2013. Note the dark spot west (left) of the summit, likely a fresh lava flow.
MODIS hot spots at the summit of Heard volcano (Univ. Hawai'i)
A significant hot spot continues to be detected at the summit crater of Heard volcano. A recent Terra / Modis satellite image of parts of the volcano (which usually is completely hidden under clouds) shows a dark area immediately to the west of Mawson Peak. This could correspond to a fresh lava flow.
MODIS hot spots at the summit of Heard volcano (Univ. Hawai'i)
Several hot spots are visible in and near the summit crater on MODIS satellite data, suggesting that activity (lava dome growth?, explosive activity?) is continuing.
A MODIS hot spot was visible yesterday at the summit of the volcano, despite the usual dense cloud cover. This indicates that some sort of activity likely continues.
Activity probably continues at the summit of the island (Mawson Peak). MODVOLC found a new hot spot yesterday on satellite data. Unfortunately, the weather in the area is usually bad and dense cloud cover prevents to see the island from space.
MODIS data showing the hot spot at Heard volcano (summarized past 7 days, Univ. Hawaii)
A new thermal anomaly localized at Mawson Peak, the volcano's main summit dome, was detected yesterday by MODVOLC. Thermal anomalies have been occasionally been detectable since September when the often dense cloud cover did not prevent it. It is likely that some minor eruptive activity is going on at the volcano.
October 13 image of Heard Island, showing the dark summit crater
A NASA satellite image of Heard Island on October 13th shows Heard covered in a white ice sheet. The summit crater was unusually dark, with a possible lava flow in its crater. Strong heat signatures were detected in its crater. ...more
Another photo taken an hour earlier showed heavy cloud cover covering a possible volcanic plume. [less]
MODIS hotspots at Heard Island during 17-24 Sep 2012 (Univ. of Hawai'i)
MODIS satellite data showed hotspots at Heard Island volcano on 21 and 24 September 2012. This suggests that there was or perhaps still is some new activity at the volcano. ...more
No further hotspots appeared on satellite data since 24 Sep. [less]
