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• In January, 2008, evidence of an eruption under the ice of Antarctica was discovered. The discovery was reported in the journal Nature and was based on research done in 2004 and 2005. This is the first ever evidence of a subglacial volcano to be found in Antarctica.BBC News: Ancient Antarctic eruption noted (January 20, 2008)New York Times: Scientists Find Active Volcano in Antarctica (January 21, 2008)

• Fast Facts

  1. Eruption occurred 2,000 years agoNew York Times: Scientists Find Active Volcano in Antarctica (January 21, 2008)
  2. Where: West AntarcticaNew York Times: Scientists Find Active Volcano in Antarctica (January 21, 2008)
  3. Created volcanic debris which spread over an area the size of New HampshireABC News: First Subglacial Eruption Found in Antarctic (January 21, 2008)
  4. May still be active and playing a small role in the melting rate increase of Antarctic iceABC News: First Subglacial Eruption Found in Antarctic (January 21, 2008)

• Subglacial Volcanoes

  Subglacial eruptions are volcanic eruptions that occur under ice. If the eruption is large enough, it will melt through the ice, but this is not always the case. Subglacial volcanoes are more commonly found in Canada and Iceland.Volcanoes of Canada: Glacial volcanoesNew York Times: Scientists Find Active Volcano in Antarctica (January 21, 2008)

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Volcanoes | Antarctic Sea Ice | Antarctic Desert

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