Mawson Peak

Mawson Peak is an active volcanic summit of the Big Ben massif on Heard Island, an external Australian territory in the Indian Ocean.

Mawson Peak
Satellite image of the southern tip of Heard Island. Cape Arkona is seen on the left side of the image, with Lied Glacier just above and Gotley Glacier just below. Big Ben Volcano and Mawson Peak are seen at the lower right side of the image.
Highest point
Elevation2,745 m (9,006 ft) [1]
Prominence2,745 m (9,006 ft)
Isolation1,922 km (1,194 mi) 
ListingCountry high point
Coordinates53°6′00″S 73°31′00″E 
Geography
Mawson Peak
Location of Heard Island
LocationHeard Island, Australia
Parent rangeBig Ben
Topo mapRAN Heard Island 291
Geology
Mountain typeVolcanic cone
Last eruption2012 to 2018 (ongoing)[2]

With an elevation of 2,745 metres (9,006 ft), it is the third highest peak in any state or territory of Australia,[3] higher than the 2,228-metre (7,310 ft) Mount Kosciuszko, and surpassed only by the 3,490-metre (11,450 ft) Mount McClintock and the 3,355-metre (11,007 ft) Mount Menzies claimed in the Australian Antarctic Territory.[4] The peak erupted as recently as April 2013 and February 2016.[5]

Discovery and naming

Mawson Peak was named by the 1948 ANARE Heard Island Expedition after the Australian geologist and explorer Sir Douglas Mawson, the leader of BANZARE 1929–31, who visited the island in November – December 1929.[6]

On 20 February 1950, whilst aboard HMAS Lebuan, Thomas Gratton (Tim) Young OAM observed and recorded in the ship's log that Mawson Peak was an active volcano.

The 1964–65 expedition to Heard Island was led by Major Warwick Deacock, with the schooner Patanela skippered by Major Bill Tilman. They succeeded in climbing Mawson Peak for the first time, which is the highest point on this remote island.

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See also

References

Citations
  1. "Mawson Peak, Heard Island". earthobservatory.nasa.gov. 16 March 2009.
  2. "Heard Island". 25 July 2018.
  3. "Highest mountains on external territories". Australian Government – Geoscience Australia. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  4. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Mawson Peak
  5. "Scientists witness 'amazing' eruption of volcano on sub-Antarctic island". ABC News. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  6. "Mawson Peak". Antarctic Gazetteer Name Details. Australian Antarctic Division. Retrieved 5 April 2010.

Sources
  • LeMasurier, WE; Thomson, JW, eds. (1990). Volcanoes of the Antarctic Plate and Southern Oceans. American Geophysical Union. ISBN 0-87590-172-7.
  • "Article". Aurora. 30 (3). March 2011.
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