McDonald Islands

The McDonald Islands are a group of volcanic islands in the southern Indian Ocean, forming part of the Australian external territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands.

Volcanism: The processes by which molten rock and gases rise from a planet’s interior to its surface. Volcanism built the islands and continues to alter their terrain.
Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve: A large Australian marine protected area surrounding Heard Island and the McDonald Islands. The reserve protects the islands’ surrounding waters and ecosystems.
Heard Island: A large, glaciated volcanic island in the southern Indian Ocean and part of the Australian territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands. It is the territory’s main island and lies about 44 kilometres southeast of the McDonald group.
Meyer Rock: A small volcanic rock in the McDonald Islands group. It is one of the named landforms in the archipelago.
Submarine volcano: A volcano that forms or erupts beneath a body of water. The islands emerged from submarine volcanic activity on the Kerguelen Plateau.
Australian Antarctic Division: The Australian government agency responsible for the Australian Antarctic Program and subantarctic territories. It manages Australian activities and research relating to the territory.
Kerguelen Islands: A remote French archipelago in the southern Indian Ocean. This neighboring archipelago shares the islands’ setting on the Kerguelen Plateau.
Southeast Indian Ridge: A mid-ocean ridge forming part of the boundary between the Australian and Antarctic plates. Regional plate tectonics help frame the islands’ volcanic setting.
Lava dome: A steep-sided mound formed when viscous lava accumulates around a volcanic vent. Lava domes have formed during eruptions on McDonald Island.
Subantarctic climate: The cool, windy climate characteristic of oceanic regions just north of Antarctica. Its harsh conditions shape habitats and constrain visits to the islands.

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Heard Island and McDonald IslandsBroader topic: Their recent volcanic activity contrasts with Heard Island’s glaciers and long-studied volcano.