Volcanic Eruptions A tectonic process Eruptions results in

Volcanic Eruptions (A tectonic process) Eruptions results in the ADDITION of carbon to the atmosphere

Movement of carbon from the lithosphere to the atmosphere Rocks naturally contain carbon. When tectonic plates collide, one sinks below the other. The sinking rock melts under extreme heat and pressure. The heated rock recombines into various rock minerals but importantly, carbon dioxide is released. When volcanoes erupt they vent gas into the atmosphere and can cover the land in ash.

Mount Erebus, Ross Island, Antarctica At present, volcanoes emit between 130 - 380 million metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. For comparison, humans emit about 30 billion tons of carbon dioxide per year. So that’s 100 -300 times more than volcanoes! Mt Erebus, a stratovolcano, was discovered in 1841 by polar explorer James Clark Ross. Standing at a height of 3, 200 m it is situated only 35 km away from Scott Base! The caldera at its centre has a volcanic lake which often emits steam. It is currently the most active volcano in Antarctica.

Air New Zealand Flight 901 Air New Zealand began sightseeing tours to Antarctica in 1977. A scheduled sightseeing service Air NZ Flight 901 crashed into Mt Erebus in whiteout conditions on November 28, 1979, killing 257 people on board. Air New Zealand discontinued the service after the crash.