Full disclaimer: The lead photo in this article is not an actual image of the volcano erupting. That is a screenshot from the hit 1997 disaster film Dante’s Peak starring Pierce Brosnan.
The reason we’ve used this is because the footage of the actual eruption is about as powerful as a burnt candle. It’s like a loose fart. It’s a popped pimple.
Basically, it went off like a prank gun.
All sizzle. No steak.
However, it is an actual volcano that is within Australian territory and it did physically erupt. Which is absolutely not something you see every day.
The mountain – the Big Ben Volcano – erupted for the first time in decades on February 2nd, spewing a plume of poisonous gasses, coupled with a flow of molten lava.
Its twin neighbouring volcano also erupted, but shot gas only.
The eruption is notable due to its relative rarity, and for the fact that – by pure chance – scientists happened to be in the area at the time and were able to capture the event on video.
So where exactly are these magma-born death mountains that surely harbour intent to wipe us off the map like our name is Pompeii?
The pair – Australia’s only two active volcanoes – are on the Heard & McDonald Islands.
If you’ve never heard of Heard Island (shut up, I had to make that pun), it looks like this.
Just for a little geographical context, its nearest Australian port is Perth.
And if you’re looking globally, the technical term for its location is “East Buttfuck Nowhere.”
So there you have it. Today you learned that not only does Australia have active volcanoes, but at the minute they’re going mildly boonta.
If Hollywood movies have taught me anything, there’s now a crotchety-yet-ruggedly-handsome volcanologist gamely trying to save the town because we didn’t listen to him and now it’s too late.
RUN. SAVE THE CHILDREN.
Source: Sydney Morning Herald.
