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Michael Volcano

Updated: Mar 28, 2024 22:39 GMT -
Stratovolcano 990 m / 3,248 ft
South Sandwich Islands, UK, -57.78°S / -26.45°W
Current status: erupting (4 out of 5)
Last update: 26 Oct 2023 (activity resumes; a thermal anomaly in the summit crater)

Michael volcano is a young and frequently active stratovolcano dominating the glaciated Saunders Island, located in the center of the South Sandwich Islands.
Mt Michael volcano has a 700 m wide summit crater that often contains a lava lake, but due to its remote location, most information is obtained by satellite imagery which often show a thermal anomaly at the crater.
Saunders Island was discovered by Cook in 1775 and named after Sir Charles Saunders, First Lord of the British Admiralty. The first landing on the island was probably in 1908 by C.A. Larsen. In 1937 an expedition from the ship Willian Scoresby landed in the area of Cordelia Bay.

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Typical eruption style: lava lake formation in summit crater
Michael volcano eruptions: 2016 (?), 2015, 2008 (?), 2006, 2001-03, 1995-98, 1823 (?), 1819

Latest nearby earthquakes

No recent earthquakes
TimeMag. / DepthDistance / Location

Background

Symmetrical 990-m-high Mount Michael has a 700-m-wide summit crater and a remnant of a somma rim to the SE. Tephra layers visible in ice cliffs surrounding the island are evidence of recent eruptions. Ash clouds were reported from the summit crater in 1819, and an effusive eruption was inferred to have occurred from a north-flank fissure around the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century. A low ice-free lava platform, Blackstone Plain, is located on the north coast, surrounding a group of former sea stacks. A cluster of parasitic cones on the SE flank, the Ashen Hills, appear to have been modified since 1820 (LeMasurier and Thomson 1990). Vapor emission is frequently reported from the summit crater. Recent AVHRR and MODIS satellite imagery has revealed evidence for lava lake activity in the summit crater of Mount Michael.
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Smithsonian / GVP volcano information

Michael Volcano Photos

Eruptions of Michael volcano



2008 activity
A thermal anomaly was detected on MODIS satellite imagery on 25 Oct 2008, suggesting a possible eruption.

2006 eruption - probable lava lake
ASTER satellite images from 28 October showed a strong hotspot at the summit crater, where a new lava lake had possibly formed.
...more info

1997 eruptions
14 volcanic plumes were detected at Mt Michael volcano by satellite in 1997.

1996 activity
39 volcanic plumes were detected on satellite images during 1996.

1995 eruption - lava lake
A lava lake was detected with satellite images between April-July 1995. This was the first time, a lava lake was found in the South Sandwich Islands. 20 volcanic plumes were detected on satellite imagery during 1995.

Latest satellite images

michael satellite image sat1michael satellite image sat2
Mon, 9 Nov 2020, 09:54

Michael volcano (United Kingdom, South Sandwich Island): a thermal anomaly in the summit crater continues

A thermal anomaly in the summit crater at Michael volcano visible from satellite on 6 November (image: Sentinel 2)
A satellite image from 6 November shows that continuous elevated surface temperatures in the summit crater were identified. ... Read all
Wed, 4 Nov 2020, 06:00

Saunders volcano (South Sandwich Islands, UK) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 4 November-10 November 2020 (New Activity / Unrest)

Gas emissions from Michael volcano on Saunders Island were possibly visible in satellite images drifting NE on 24 October. A clear view of the crater on 6 November revealed a thermal anomaly on the crater floor. Weather clouds often obscure views of Michael. ... Read all

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