Lava Lake
- the majority of the current eruptive activity at Mt. Erebus is issued
from this vent. This activity is characterized by strombolian eruptions,
which are capable of hurling volcanic bombs onto the crater rim and
beyond (~800 meters). The floor of the inner crater is littered with
volcanic bombs having been erupted from this vent. While it is rare
to observe a strombolian eruption while watching the streaming video,
it is likely you will see small gas bubbles bursting on the surface
of the lava lake.
Ash Vent
- a relatively new style of eruptive activity at Mt. Erebus are ash
eruptions. Clouds of ash are issued infrequently from the ash vent,
often obscuring the view of the inner crater. Freshly fallen snow
around the ash vent may take on a "dirty" appearance from
the ash that has recently fallen onto it.
Lava Flow Vent
- this vent is also known as "Werner's Fumarole" after volcanologist
Werner Giggenbach. Recently, this vent was the source of a small (~20
meter long) lava flow. The viscous phonolitic lava oozed out over
a period of several hours, forming a broad, flat flow. Currently,
this "fumarole" appears to be a small lava lake as activity
here has persisted for several weeks. Small strombolian eruptions
have been observed coming from this vent.
