In 2001, satellite imagery captured a thermal anomaly deep within Mount Michael’s crater, an active basaltic stratovolcano located on Saunders Island. In 2019 new research detailed further evidence pointing towards a persistent lava lake. But up until this point, no one had managed to reach the summit and observe the crater.
Two years later, a skilled team of scientists and explorers became the first people to summit Mount Michael and confirm the existence of a lava lake. It was a remarkable undertaking. Their expedition was captured in a documentary that landed on Nat Geo this week titled “Explorer: Lake of Fire”.
Once at the summit, the team launched a drone and captured a small glowing vent deep within the crater. Magma was present several hundred metres below the surface. The documentary concluded that Mount Michael now officially hosts the 8th lava lake known to exist on Earth.
Whilst the lake was far from a circulating body of molten lava typical of other lava lakes, I was more surprised at how they came to the number of eight. Are there really eight persistent lava lakes on our planet?
Earlier on in the documentary, a map was presented depicting their locations and I’ve made assumptions around their corresponding volcanoes:
- Ambrym Island (Marum and Benbow), Vanuatu
- Mount Yasur Volcano, Tanna Island, Vanuatu
- Erta Ale, Danakil Depression, Ethiopia
- Mount Nyiragongo, Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Masaya Volcano, Santiago Crater, Nicaragua
- Kīlauea Volcano, Halemaʻumaʻu Crater, Hawaii, USA
- Mount Erebus, Antarctica
- Mount Michael, Saunders Island, South Sandwich Islands
Ambrym Island (Marum and Benbow), Vanuatu
Ambrym Island was home to three persistent lava lakes, the largest being within the Marum crater. In 2018, the lava lakes drained. Ambrym Island hasn’t had a lava lake for almost five years. There was a small eruption in Benbow’s crater in early 2020 that built a small cone and produced lava flows.
Persistent Lava Lake Status: Not active.
Mount Yasur Volcano, Tanna Island, Vanuatu
Over the last 15 years of exploring and documenting Mount Yasur volcano, I have only observed a lava lake once. Based on my observations and those of locals, Yasur does have infrequent lava lakes but are certainly not persistent.
Persistent Lava Lake Status: Not active.
Erta Ale, Danakil Depression, Ethiopia
Erta Ale has been known for semi-persistent lava lakes in both the northern and southern pit craters. However, thermal activity all but ceased mid last year. Subsequently, some activity has resumed recently. On ground observations (from last week) confirm that no lava lake is present, but there are lava flows and a growing hornito.
Persistent Lava Lake Status: Not active.
Mount Nyiragongo, Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Mount Nyiragongo has been home to one of the largest and most impressive lava lakes since 1971. In 2021 a deadly flank eruption occurred which drained the lava lakes completely. Subsequently, the lava lake has drained back and is relatively stable. I have reviewed recent satellite data and can confirm thermal activity.
Persistent Lava Lake Status: Active.
Masaya Volcano, Santiago Crater, Nicaragua
Thermal activity over the past few years has been relatively consistent. Recent observations have confirmed the lava lake is still active within the Santiago crater.
Persistent Lava Lake Status: Active.
Kīlauea Volcano, Halemaʻumaʻu Crater, Hawaii, USA
As of writing this, no active lava lakes are present at Kīlauea Volcano. Prior to 2018, a persistent lava lake was present within the Halemaʻumaʻu crater. Eruptions in Kīlauea’s east rift zone drained the lake completely. Subsequently there have been four separate lava lakes over the past four years that have all had a dramatic impact on the Halemaʻumaʻu crater.
Persistent Lava Lake Status: Not active.
Mount Erebus, Antarctica
Mount Erebus is the highest active volcano in Antarctica. It has a persistent lava lake and is particularly dangerous considering the Strombolian eruption style directly from the lava lake. I have reviewed recent satellite data and can confirm thermal activity.
Persistent Lava Lake Status: Active.
With the addition of Mount Michael, my count of currently active, persistent lava lakes is four.