Doing Antarctic research while watching and listening for volcanic rumblings seems farfetched, but it is reality for researchers from the United States, Spain, Britain, Argentina, and Chile stationed on Deception Island. The five countries work here under the Antarctic Treaty, which protects the area from over-use by humans. The treaty is no protection, however, from the active volcano that blew mud and ash as recently as 1970.

Deception Island is the subject of Expedition 10 of the Dive and Discover project of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. The expedition took place in 2006 but highlights are available online.

An eruption 10,000 years ago blew off the top of an island mountain, leaving an almost enclosed seawater lagoon in the center. In addition to visible signs of volcanic activity in the past, Deception Island is something of a museum of the history of whaling. At one time, seal hunters and later whalers maintained a station here with residences, a kitchen, a hospital and a cemetery. After whaling was no longer profitable, British researchers took over the site—until volcanic activity sent ash into their labs and living quarters. The remains of the whaling station are preserved and have become a tourist site for the limited number of people who are allowed to visit.

On the expedition web site, you will find a slide show with shots of whale bones, rusting oil tanks, and the hulls of whaling ships. In addition, the site offers a map and interviews with expedition crew members.