‘Mountains of Madness’

A continent ringed by fiery islands

While on shore we picked up several lava stones, which we supposed had been thrown out of a high and terrific volcano . . . This volcano might, with the strictest propriety, be denominated one of the wonders of the world . . . Another peculiarity which this volcano possesses is that it is one of nature’s lighthouses, planted in the midst of a distant ocean by that unseen hand, to serve as a beacon for the fearless mariner . . . when the dark curtains of night are spread over the venerable head of this majestic mount, it throws forth from its crater scarlet flames mingled with huge, redhot, melted lava stones which roll down its sides to the sea.

Tom Smith, sealer, South Sandwich Islands, 1818

Volcanoes of Antarctica and the surrounding islands