THE HEART OF THE ANTARTIC 



NOTES m REGARD TO MOUNT EREBUS 



By Professor T. W. EDGEWORTH DAVID 

 AND RAYMOND PRIESTLEY 



Volcanic Eruptions 



We observed that the eruptions of Erebus, like those 

 of Stromboli, were most frequent during a low barometer. 

 The following is a description of the chief eruption of 

 Erebus witnessed by us on June 14, 1908: 



This morning, about 8.45 a.m., as the small Wizzard 

 of the preceding night was subsiding we noticed that 

 Erebus was more than usually active; the steam cloud 

 over its summit was broader and taller than usual; and 

 there were frequent outbursts of steam. 



At 11.30 A.M. it was noticed that an eruption of 

 altogether unprecedented vigour, as far as our experience 

 of Erebus went, was in progress. Immense masses of 

 steam rushed upwards to at least 2000 ft. above the sum- 

 mit in about half a minute, and spread out to form a 

 vast mushroom-shaped cloud. This rapidly became asym- 

 metrical; while the main steam column was bent over 

 to the left (northerly) by the return air current from the 

 Pole, the higher ascending portion, at about 2500 to 3000 

 ft. was carried by the upper current in a southerly, or 

 more probably south-easterly direction. At about 2.30 

 P.M. there was a specially grand outburst of steam. It 

 rushed upwards nearly vertically, just a trifle bent to 

 the north, and dashed its head with great violence through 

 the mushroom-shaped cloud or canopy, emerged on the 

 other side, and must have ascended there from 1000 to 

 2000 ft. higher; in all about 5000 ft. above the summit 

 of the mountain. 



At 3.15 P.M. a bright glow was seen on Erebus by 



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