Volcanic activity in Antarctica: which statement is true?

Volcanic activity in Antarctica: which statement is true?

• A. It never occurred in Antarctica.
• B. It stopped after the ice-sheet formed.
• C. It only happens at the equator.
• D. It continued after the ice-sheet formation.

Answer: (D)

Volcanic activity can persist under and around ice sheets. In Antarctica, magma can still reach the surface or melt through ice even after the large East Antarctic Ice Sheet formed millions of years ago. This is evidenced by ongoing activity at Mount Erebus on Ross Island and by subglacial volcanism beneath the Antarctic ice. So the true statement is that volcanic activity continued after the ice-sheet formation. The other options don’t fit because volcanism clearly has occurred in Antarctica, the ice sheet did not halt it, and volcanic activity is not limited to the equator.

Volcanic activity can persist under and around ice sheets. In Antarctica, magma can still reach the surface or melt through ice even after the large East Antarctic Ice Sheet formed millions of years ago. This is evidenced by ongoing activity at Mount Erebus on Ross Island and by subglacial volcanism beneath the Antarctic ice. So the true statement is that volcanic activity continued after the ice-sheet formation. The other options don’t fit because volcanism clearly has occurred in Antarctica, the ice sheet did not halt it, and volcanic activity is not limited to the equator.