Big Ben, Stratovolcano on Heard Island, Australia.
Big Ben is a stratovolcano on Heard Island with a towering cone that rises about 2,745 meters (9,000 feet) above the ocean. Roughly 14 glaciers cloak the mountain, flowing from its summit down toward the shoreline in a striking display of ice and rock.
The mountain has been known by different names over time, including Emperor William Peak and Kaiser Wilhelm-Berg, before acquiring its current designation. These changing names reflect shifting control and interests in this distant island over the centuries.
This mountain represents the highest point under Australian sovereignty, excluding territorial claims in Antarctica, making it significant for national identity.
Visits require special permits and extensive planning because Heard Island sits in extreme isolation in the southern Indian Ocean. Travelers should expect harsh weather conditions and prepare well in advance for any exploration.
The volcano has shown regular activity since 1881 with documented eruptions that produced plumes rising about one kilometer into the air. This ongoing volcanic behavior makes it one of the active volcanoes in the southern Indian Ocean.
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