Experts Warn: Massive Underwater Megavolcano Poised to Erupt, Releasing Millions of Tons of Lava!

Scientists are keeping a close eye on an underwater volcano about 300 miles off the Oregon coast. This volcano, known as Axial Seamount, is showing signs that it could erupt soon, and for the first time, the public can watch it live online. Researchers from Oregon State University are at the forefront of monitoring this active geological site, located on the Juan de Fuca Ridge, an area known for its seismic activity. They’ve found that the volcano’s magma chamber is inflating rapidly, similar to a balloon getting ready to burst.

In 2015, Axial Seamount erupted with tremendous force, causing almost 8,000 undersea earthquakes and releasing massive lava flows. This event reshaped how scientists track underwater volcanic activity. With new technology, including pressure sensors and advanced cameras, researchers gained a clearer understanding of these powerful eruptions.

Geophysicist William Chadwick, an expert at Oregon State University, points out that Axial Seamount is now “at or almost at that inflation threshold” like it was before the 2015 eruption. Satellite data backs this up, showing the seafloor rising significantly.

“Current News in Geology: The Axial Seamount is primed for an explosive eruption, possibly before the end of 2025,” tweeted Geology Bits of Knowledge.

To follow the activity, scientists have set up a live camera feed. You can see a 14-foot hydrothermal structure called “Mushroom,” nestled in the ASHES vent field. This area is lively with microbial life and tube worms, indicating hot fluids are naturally escaping through the seafloor.

Chadwick compares the pressure buildup at Axial to Hawaii’s volcanoes. “They inflate like a balloon between eruptions,” he explains. This rising seafloor is a clear warning sign of increasing activity.

Recently, there’s been a surge in seismic activity beneath Axial. Currently registering hundreds of underwater earthquakes daily, experts predict that number could spike to as high as 10,000 when an eruption finally occurs. Chadwick’s team noticed significant changes in November 2024, when seafloor swelling picked up again after years of stability. A 2024 study dubbed this sudden shift a “waking up” of the volcano.

If the volcano erupts, it could release over a billion cubic feet of fast-flowing lava. That volume would weigh millions of tons, and flows could reach heights similar to that of Seattle’s Space Needle.

Despite its size, experts assure that an eruption from Axial Seamount poses no danger to people onshore. Its location deep underwater and far from land keeps coastal communities safe. However, this potential eruption offers a valuable chance for scientists to observe and study a volcanic event as it happens. Axial Seamount is now considered “the best-monitored submarine volcano in the world,” allowing researchers to gather insights about underwater eruptions.

For more detailed insights and live updates, you can check out the Interactive Oceans website.

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