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Michael Volcano

Updated: Mar 31, 2025 19:01 GMT -
Stratovolcano
South Sandwich Islands, UK, -57.78°S / -26.45°W
Summit height: 990 m / 3,248 ft
Current status: erupting (4 out of 5)
Last update: 26 Oct 2023 (activity resumes; a thermal anomaly in the summit crater)

Michael volcano is a young and frequently active stratovolcano dominating the glaciated Saunders Island, located in the center of the South Sandwich Islands.
Mt Michael volcano has a 700 m wide summit crater that often contains a lava lake, but due to its remote location, most information is obtained by satellite imagery which often show a thermal anomaly at the crater.
Saunders Island was discovered by Cook in 1775 and named after Sir Charles Saunders, First Lord of the British Admiralty. The first landing on the island was probably in 1908 by C.A. Larsen. In 1937 an expedition from the ship Willian Scoresby landed in the area of Cordelia Bay.

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Typical eruption style: lava lake formation in summit crater
Michael volcano eruptions: 2016 (?), 2015, 2008 (?), 2006, 2001-03, 1995-98, 1823 (?), 1819

Latest nearby earthquakes

Date and TimeMag / DepthDistance / Location

Background

Symmetrical 990-m-high Mount Michael has a 700-m-wide summit crater and a remnant of a somma rim to the SE. Tephra layers visible in ice cliffs surrounding the island are evidence of recent eruptions. Ash clouds were reported from the summit crater in 1819, and an effusive eruption was inferred to have occurred from a north-flank fissure around the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century. A low ice-free lava platform, Blackstone Plain, is located on the north coast, surrounding a group of former sea stacks. A cluster of parasitic cones on the SE flank, the Ashen Hills, appear to have been modified since 1820 (LeMasurier and Thomson 1990). Vapor emission is frequently reported from the summit crater. Recent AVHRR and MODIS satellite imagery has revealed evidence for lava lake activity in the summit crater of Mount Michael.
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Smithsonian / GVP volcano information

Michael Volcano Photos

Significant volcanic eruptions: Michael volcano

In the past 10,000 years, Michael has had at least 8 confirmed volcanic eruptions, out of which 6 are documented by historical records, while the others can be inferred from geological evidence.
There is one uncertain or discredited eruption in 1823 from Michael volcano.
The table below lists all known eruptions (date in bold face) of Michael volcano in historic times and during the past 10,000 years. Updates on the most recent volcanic activity of Michael can be found on the news page of Michael volcano.
DateNoteVEIDeathsDamage
2014 Nov 12 - ongoingMount Michael summit crater
Historical obs./docs.
1
2000 May 13 - 2013 Nov 16
Historical obs./docs.
0
1999 Jan 19
Historical obs./docs.
0
1995 Apr 16 ±15 d. - 1998 Feb 16 ±15 d.
Historical obs./docs.
0
1989 Jan 30 - 1990 Mar 22
Historical obs./docs.
0
1900 ±10 y.North flank0
?? 1823
Uncertain Eruption
2?
1819 Dec 29
Historical obs./docs.
2
0 AD0
Remark:
Our list of volcanic eruptions closely follows the database of eruptions of the Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Project (GVP), the internationally most recognized data source for volcanic eruptions, but also includes significant eruptive episodes or related volcano events. "Volcanic eruptions" are usually to be understood as sequences of individual eruptive episodes that can follow each other, or even overlap (if several vents are involved), and can last many years, decades or even longer. For example, the current activity of Stromboli volcano is understood as a single eruption that has been ongoing since 1934.
Sources: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), Global Significant Volcanic Eruptions Database. doi:10.7289/V5TD9V7K | Global Volcanism Project / Smithsonian Institution

Eruptions of Michael volcano



2008 activity
A thermal anomaly was detected on MODIS satellite imagery on 25 Oct 2008, suggesting a possible eruption.

2006 eruption - probable lava lake
ASTER satellite images from 28 October showed a strong hotspot at the summit crater, where a new lava lake had possibly formed.
...more info

1997 eruptions
14 volcanic plumes were detected at Mt Michael volcano by satellite in 1997.

1996 activity
39 volcanic plumes were detected on satellite images during 1996.

1995 eruption - lava lake
A lava lake was detected with satellite images between April-July 1995. This was the first time, a lava lake was found in the South Sandwich Islands. 20 volcanic plumes were detected on satellite imagery during 1995.

Michael Volcano FAQ

+When was the last eruption of Michael volcano?

+How often does Michael volcano erupt?

+How active is Michael volcano at present?

+When was the largest eruption of Michael volcano?

Latest satellite images

michael satellite image sat1michael satellite image sat2

Michael Volcano Maps

Below is a selection of maps showing the location and surroundings of the volcano at various resolutions based on aerial-imagery / terrain maps. Feel free to use them for non-commercial purposes on your blog or website as long as you credit them with a link back to this page (click to copy it).
Satellite/aerial-type map of Michael volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Michael volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Michael volcano (world scale)
Terrain-type map of Michael volcano (world scale)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Michael volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Michael volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Michael volcano (region scale large)
Terrain-type map of Michael volcano (region scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Michael volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Michael volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Michael volcano (region scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Michael volcano (region scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Michael volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Michael volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Michael volcano (region scale small)
Terrain-type map of Michael volcano (region scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Michael volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Michael volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Michael volcano (local scale large)
Terrain-type map of Michael volcano (local scale large)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Michael volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Michael volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Michael volcano (local scale medium)
Terrain-type map of Michael volcano (local scale medium)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Michael volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Michael volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Michael volcano (local scale small)
Terrain-type map of Michael volcano (local scale small)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Michael volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Michael volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Michael volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Terrain-type map of Michael volcano (scale of 10s of km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Michael volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Michael volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Michael volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Terrain-type map of Michael volcano (scale of 20-40 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Michael volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Michael volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Michael volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Terrain-type map of Michael volcano (scale of approx. 10-20 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Michael volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Michael volcano (scale of 5-10 km)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Michael volcano (scale of few kilometers)
Satellite/aerial-type map of Michael volcano (scale of few kilometers)
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Mon, 9 Nov 2020, 09:54

Michael volcano (United Kingdom, South Sandwich Island): a thermal anomaly in the summit crater continues

A thermal anomaly in the summit crater at Michael volcano visible from satellite on 6 November (image: Sentinel 2)
A satellite image from 6 November shows that continuous elevated surface temperatures in the summit crater were identified. ... Read all
Wed, 4 Nov 2020, 06:00

Saunders volcano (South Sandwich Islands, UK) - Smithsonian / USGS Weekly Volcanic Activity Report for 4 November-10 November 2020 (New Activity / Unrest)

Gas emissions from Michael volcano on Saunders Island were possibly visible in satellite images drifting NE on 24 October. A clear view of the crater on 6 November revealed a thermal anomaly on the crater floor. Weather clouds often obscure views of Michael. ... Read all

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