Discovery
Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd discovered Mount Sidley, Antarctica’s highest volcano (4,200m) during a flight on November 18, 1934. He later named the mountain after Mabelle E. Sidley, the daughter of a contributor to the Byrd Antarctic Expedition.
The Antarctic continent’s only active volcano is Mt Erebus on Ross Island but Mount Sidley is the highest. It is one of five dormant volcanoes that make up the Executive Committee Range in Marie Byrd Land. It is not well known because the area where it is located is in the remote unclaimed territory of the seventh continent. Unlike the rest of Antarctica the unclaimed sector is not claimed by anyone (https://bit.ly/2MBDsWM).
The volcano stands about 4,200 meters (13,800 feet) above sea level and 2,200 meters (7,200 feet) above ice level. It’s a snow covered shield volcano that was active for 1.5 million years between 5.7 and 4.2 Ma (million years ago).
Seven Summits Challenge
Sidley is one of the seven volcanic summits challenge where climbers attempt to climb the highest volcano on every continent. These are Ojos del Salado (Chile/Argentina), Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), Elbrus (Russia), Pico de Orizaba (Mexico), Damavand (Iran). Then there’s Mount Giluwe (Papua New Guinea-considered part of Australasia)) and finally, Mount Sidley (Antarctica).
The first recorded ascent of Mount Sidley was by New Zealander Bill Atkinson on January 11, 1990. He climbed it solo whilst working in support of a USAP scientific field party.
New volcanic activity was recently discovered about 50km from Mt. Sidley, about a kilometre under the ice, which appears to be another volcano. Though it is unlikely to erupt through the ice anytime soon, it may add to the amount of melted water flowing into the ocean. This can speed up the movement of glaciers because the water acts as a lubricant, helping them move faster.
Getting there
Mt Sidley is very remote so if it is on your bucket list there are a number of companies that will take you there. Regardless of which company you use they all rely on Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions (ALE) to get you there. Prices start from around $70,000 but you would be in a rare group. Only a couple of dozen people have ever climbed Mount Sidley – Antarctica’s highest volcano.
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