Deception Island (DI), the southernmost island of the South Shetlands Archipelago (Antarctica), is characterised by a Quaternary caldera system and a post-caldera succession due to a dispersed (monogenetic), volcanic field. Volcanic activity since the 18th century involved monogenetic small volume eruptions such as scoria cones and hydrovolcanic edifices with estimated VEI magnitude of 2-3. The latest volcanic unrest episodes in the 20th and 21st centuries, demonstrates that the volcanic system is still active and that future eruptions are likely. Magma-water interaction represents a major issue on DI as shown by the 1967, 1969 and 1970 explosive episodes, where the scientific stations on the island were destroyed, or severely damaged. Nowadays, DI is an important touristic destination during the austral summer hosting two temporary military bases as well. A detailed revision of the historical hydrovolcanic post-caldera eruptions of DI was carried out, to understand the dynamics of magma-water interaction, and to characterise the most likely eruptive scenarios from future eruptions. Crimson Hill (estimated age 1825-1829), Kroner Lake (estimated age 1829-1912) eruptions and 1967, 1969 and 1970 events were characterised by describing the eruption mechanisms related to the island's hydrovolcanic activity. The project was partially funded by the POSVOLDEC project (CTM2016-79617-P)(AEI/FEDER-UE). D.P. is grateful for his Beatriu de Pinós contract (2016 BP 00086).

The project was partially funded by the POSVOLDEC project (CTM2016-79617-P)(AEI/FEDER-UE). D.P. is grateful for his Beatriu de Pinós contract (2016 BP 00086).

POLAR 2018, Open Science Conference 19 – 23 June 2018 Davos, Switzerland