🌋VolcanoAtlas

Heard Island (Big Ben)

Australia's Most Remote Active Volcano

Elevation

2,745 m

Last Eruption

2025

Type

Stratovolcano

Country

Australia

Location

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Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

  • Pyroclastic flows
  • Lava flows
  • Volcanic bombs and ballistics
  • Lahars and mudflows

Risk Level

Population at RiskLow
Infrastructure RiskHigh
Aviation RiskSignificant

Geological Composition & Structure

Rock Types

Primary
Unknown
Silica Content
Varied composition

Tectonic Setting

Unknown
Intraplate setting with hotspot or regional volcanic activity.

Age & Formation

Epoch
Unknown
Evidence
Unknown

Eruption Statistics & Analysis

MetricValueGlobal RankingSignificance
Total Recorded EruptionsUnknownLowModerately active volcano
Maximum VEIVEI UnknownMinorLocal impact potential
Recent Activity1 years agoVery RecentCurrently active

Monitoring & Alert Status

Monitoring Networks

Global Volcanism Program
International eruption database

Current Status

Active
Recent volcanic activity detected. Continuous monitoring in place.

Authority Sources

Smithsonian GVP
Official volcano database

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Interesting Facts

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Heard Island's Big Ben (Mawson Peak) at 2,745 m is the highest mountain on Australian territory outside the Australian Antarctic Territory.

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Heard Island is one of only two volcanically active sub-Antarctic islands in the world (the other being nearby McDonald Island).

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The island is approximately 4,000 km southwest of Perth and 1,700 km from Antarctica — one of the most remote places on Earth.

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Fourteen major glaciers cover approximately 70% of Heard Island's 368 km² surface, flowing from Big Ben's summit to the sea.

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Heard Island has been erupting near-continuously since 2012, with lava flows confirmed by satellite as recently as February 2026.

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Wind speeds at Heard Island average 26 km/h, with recorded gusts reaching 209 km/h — placing it among the windiest inhabited (historically) locations on Earth.

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Volcanic emissions from Heard Island fertilize the surrounding Southern Ocean with iron, stimulating phytoplankton blooms that contribute to marine carbon sequestration.

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Heard Island and McDonald Islands were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 as one of the world's last pristine island ecosystems with no introduced species.

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Scientists have suggested Mawson Peak may have grown beyond its official 2,745 m height due to continuous volcanic material deposition, possibly exceeding 2,800 m.

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The Kerguelen hotspot beneath Heard Island has been active for over 100 million years and produced one of the largest igneous provinces on Earth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Heard Island an active volcano?
Yes, Heard Island's Big Ben volcano is one of the most persistently active volcanoes in the Southern Hemisphere. It has been erupting intermittently since 2012, with confirmed lava flows and ash emissions detected by satellite through February 2026. The active vent, Mawson Peak, produces Strombolian explosions and lava flows over glacial ice. Due to the island's extreme remoteness, monitoring relies entirely on satellite instruments.
Can you visit Heard Island?
No, Heard Island is not accessible to tourists. It is managed as a Strict Nature Reserve (IUCN Category Ia) by the Australian Antarctic Division. Access requires government permits granted only for approved scientific research. The island is approximately 4,000 km from Perth, has no infrastructure, and experiences some of the most hostile weather conditions on Earth, with near-constant gale-force winds and temperatures rarely exceeding 5°C.
Is Heard Island part of Australia?
Yes, Heard Island and the nearby McDonald Islands are an external territory of Australia, located approximately 4,000 km southwest of Perth in the southern Indian Ocean. They have been Australian territory since 1947 when Australia took over administration from the United Kingdom. The territory is administered by the Australian Antarctic Division. Big Ben (Mawson Peak) at 2,745 m is the highest mountain under full Australian sovereignty.
How remote is Heard Island?
Heard Island is one of the most remote places on Earth. It lies approximately 4,000 km southwest of Perth, 1,700 km from Antarctica, and 440 km southeast of the French Kerguelen Islands (the nearest land with any human presence). The island is uninhabited and has had no permanent human presence since a research station closed in 1955. The last extended scientific visit was in 2016.
Why is Heard Island important?
Heard Island has multiple scientific significance. It is Australia's only active volcano on sovereign territory, providing a window into hotspot volcanism and Kerguelen Plateau geology. Its pristine ecosystem — with no introduced species — is unique globally and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its volcanic emissions fertilize the Southern Ocean with iron, stimulating phytoplankton growth that absorbs atmospheric CO₂. The island's isotopic compositions provide unparalleled data on mantle plume chemistry.
How tall is Heard Island?
Mawson Peak, the active summit of Big Ben volcano, officially stands at 2,745 m (9,006 ft), making it the highest point on Australian territory outside the Australian Antarctic Territory. However, continuous volcanic activity may have increased its height — some scientists estimate it could now exceed 2,800 m. The volcano rises approximately 5,000 m from the surrounding seafloor.