Heard Volcano
Heard Island is the top of an active stratovolcano on the Kerguelen Plateau in the southern Indian Ocean, about 4000 km southwest of Western Australia. Part of Australian territory, along with McDonald Island to the west, Heard is one of Australia's two currently active volcanoes.
The volcano is frequently active, and occasional reports of eruptions date back to 1881. Since about 1980, remote sensing mostly via satellites has been able to detect more and frequent activity at the volcano.
The 368 sq km island with its highest point Mawson Peak at 2745 m forms the highest point of Australian territory outside Antarctica.
The uninhabited island was discovered by and named after Captain John Heard in 1853. Its remote location and typically extremely adverse weather and wind conditions make it difficult to access and only few expeditions have reached it. An Australian navy base existed on the island at Atlas Cove on the western side of Big Ben between December 1947 and March 1955.
Heard volcano eruptions: 2019, 2018 (?), 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012-13, 2006-08, 2003-04, 2000-01, 1993, 1992 (May), 1992 (Jan) (?), 1985-87, 1954, 1953, 1950-52, 1910, 1881 (?)
Latest nearby earthquakes
| Date and Time | Mag / Depth | Distance / Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Background
Heard Island on the Kerguelen Plateau in the southern Indian Ocean consists primarily of the emergent portion of two volcanic structures. The large glacier-covered composite basaltic-to-trachytic cone of Big Ben comprises most of the island, and the smaller Mt. Dixon volcano lies at the NW tip of the island across a narrow isthmus. Little is known about the structure of Big Ben volcano because of its extensive ice cover. The historically active Mawson Peak forms the island's 2745-m high point and lies within a 5-6 km wide caldera breached to the SW side of Big Ben. Small satellitic scoria cones are mostly located on the northern coast. Several subglacial eruptions have been reported in historical time at this isolated volcano, but observations are infrequent and additional activity may have occurred.---
Smithsonian / GVP volcano information
Heard Volcano Photos
Significant volcanic eruptions: Heard volcano
| Date | Note | VEI | Deaths | Damage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mawson Peak Historical obs./docs. | 0 | ||||
| Mawson Peak Historical obs./docs. | 0 | ||||
| Mawson Peak Historical obs./docs. | 0 | ||||
| Mawson Peak and upper south flank Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
| Mawson Peak Historical obs./docs. | 2? | ||||
| Mawson Peak Historical obs./docs. | 0 | ||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | ? | |||
| Mawson Peak Historical obs./docs. | 2? | ||||
| Mawson Peak Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
| Mawson Peak Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
| Mawson Peak Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
| Mawson Peak Historical obs./docs. | 2 | ||||
?? | Uncertain Eruption | 2 | |||
Heard Volcano FAQ
+When was the last eruption of Heard volcano?
The last confirmed eruption of Heard began in 2012 and is continuing (as of April 2025).
+How often does Heard volcano erupt?
Since 1910, Heard volcano has had at least 11 historically documented eruptions. This means that it erupts on average every 10.5 years.
Many eruptions of Heard have lasted more than one year. In total, the volcano has been in eruption during 32 out of 115 years until now. In other words, Heard has been active at least one in 3.6 years on average. Note that this value is likely an underestimate, because the known history of eruptions from Heard is likely incomplete, especially further back in time.
+How active is Heard volcano at present?
Heard volcano is very active: Since 1900, it has had 32 eruptions, and been active during 32 years out of 126 as of now. This means, Heard has been in eruption one in 3.9 years on average. The latest eruption is still continuing at present.
+When was the largest eruption of Heard volcano?
The largest eruption of Heard volcano in historic times occurred during 2000 - 2001. It ranks as a strombolian to vulcanian eruption with a magnitude 2 on the VEI (Volcanic Explosivity Index) scale.
Latest satellite images
Heard Volcano Maps
