Measurements of gases, particulates and energy from the plume, air, rocks, snow, ice, steam, gas and soils of Mt Erebus, Ross Island

Mt Erebus gases, particulates and energy forms an important source of chemical species in the Antarctic environment and its important that the composition and quantity of the components of the plume and their fate once in the atmosphere be determined to characterize and quantify sources of contaminants in Antarctica. The volcanic plume was sampled for acids, SO2, H2S, H2SO4, radioisotopes, particulates and metals. To quantify the plume output, SF6 analysis on air samples was completed. Rock samples were taken and analysed for gases incorporated into volcanic bombs. Snow and ice samples from drill cores and crevasses and windscoop walls at Fang Glacier and Cape Bird and steam and gas samples from fumeroles were analysed for gas content. Soils were tested with CO2 surveys at Black Island, Western Crater and along Tramway Ridge and with a Geogas survey where vapour transport of trace species (including heavy metals) was quantified. Infrared temperature measurements of the surface of the lake and cinematographic record of the plume during the tracer experiment were also made.