Mont Ross, Stratovolcano in Kerguelen Islands, France.
Mont Ross is a stratovolcano on the Kerguelen Islands and at roughly 1,850 meters (6,070 feet) stands as the highest peak of the Gallieni Massif on Grande Terre. The mountain is composed of volcanic rock and rises in this remote region of the southern Indian Ocean.
The volcano was active roughly 2 million to 100,000 years ago with its last recorded eruption around 101 BCE. In 1975, mountaineers Jean Afanassieff and Patrick Cordier completed the first ascent, making it the last major French mountain to be summited.
The mountain was named after British polar explorer James Clark Ross, reflecting historical connections between European expeditions in the southern ocean. Visitors can trace these exploration links through place names across the Kerguelen Islands.
The extreme southern location at roughly 49.6 degrees south latitude and 69.5 degrees east longitude makes this peak extremely difficult to reach. Visits are only feasible during the brief southern summer months, and climbing gear must be carefully prepared for harsh conditions.
The mountain is composed of trachybasalt, a rare volcanic rock containing minerals in unusual combinations that catch the attention of geologists. This mineral composition makes the volcano distinct from other peaks in the region.
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