Evidence of recent volcanism on Sturge Island, Antarctica

• Main Authors: Schwanck Carlos, F., Simões, J., Feldkircher, A., Bernardo, R., Auger, J.
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: English
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: Antarctic; Balleny Islands; Mount Johns; Sturge Island; The Antarctic; Victoria Land; Antarc*; Antarctica; antartic*; ice core; Ice Sheet
• Online Access: https://gfzpublic.gfz-potsdam.de/pubman/item/item_5019545

Antartica is one of the least volcanically active regions in the world, with few volcanoes covered by the extensive ice sheet. Remote sensing can be a good alternative to provide data during volcanic eruptions, although generally these data are not conclusive. Satellite images from 12 June 2001 show a characteristic cloud over Sturge Island (67.4°S, 164.83°E), the southernmost island of the Balleny Islands archipelago, located off the coast of Victoria Land. The first analysis showed that the cloud reached up to 300 km in length in the downwind portions (E-NE) and reached 6 km in height. It showed signs of containing SO 2 , but without the presence of identified ash, the image becomes inconclusive about whether or not it was produced by a volcanic eruption. These analyzes a few ice core data (IC-04, IC-06, and Mount Johns) to interpret possible volcanism. The cores were collected in the western portion of the Antarctic ice sheet. The main analysis from the ice cores were trace elements (determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Sector Field Mass Spectrometry - ICP-MS) and ionic content (analyzed by ion chromatography). The chemical analysis showed anomalous concentrations of S, Na, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, and SO 4 for the period related to the eruption on Sturge Island. This study seeks to improve the dating of ice cores by establishing a new horizon of absolute age and connections between records. It can also corroborate with other observations that had pointed to the Balleny Islands as a source of volcanic products.