Imminent Eruption: Massive Underwater Volcano Near Major US Coast Raises Alarms Among Top Scientists

Scientists are closely watching Axial Seamount, an underwater volcano in the Pacific Northwest that could erupt soon. It’s located about 300 miles off the coast of Oregon, sitting more than 4,900 feet deep under the Pacific Ocean.

This volcano last erupted in 2015. That event caused about 8,000 small earthquakes and spread thick lava flows across the seafloor. Now, researchers have noticed signs that it might erupt again. The seafloor is swelling, which indicates magma is collecting beneath the surface. William Wilcock, a marine geophysicist at the University of Washington, noted that this inflation matches what occurred before the 2015 eruption.

Wilcock explained, “Some researchers believe that measuring the inflation can help predict eruptions.” This means Axial Seamount could erupt any day now based on these patterns.

Despite the potential for an eruption, experts assure that it won’t threaten nearby communities. The volcano is too deep and far from shore for people to notice. Mike Poland from the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory stated, “It’s fascinating and doesn’t pose a hazard.” Axial Seamount, located along the Juan de Fuca Ridge, is best known for its gentle lava flows, making its eruptions less explosive than those seen in Hawaii.

Historically, Axial Seamount has erupted several times, with significant events in 1998, 2011, and 2015. Each time, the volcano has displayed a unique pattern of inflation before erupting. Recent data shows that seismic activity is rising, with hundreds of small earthquakes recorded daily. These tremors hint that magma could be inching closer to the surface.

In late 2024, geophysicist William Chadwick started monitoring Axial again and observed that the volcano’s swelling reached levels last seen before its previous eruptions. He and his colleagues predict that it could erupt before the end of 2025, based on these trends. They are meticulously tracking inflation rates and seismic activity to improve their eruption forecast.

This research is essential not only for understanding Axial Seamount but also for other potentially dangerous underwater volcanoes. For context, in January 2022, a powerful eruption of the Hunga underwater volcano in Tonga led to widespread tsunami damage in several countries, amounting to around $90 billion. Fortunately, the West Coast doesn’t face such risks from Axial.

While Axial Seamount may not endanger lives, the upcoming eruption represents a key research opportunity. Wilcock and his team plan to use high-tech instruments to observe and collect data during the event. The University of Washington’s underwater observatories will provide comprehensive insights into this fascinating geological phenomenon.

As we await potential developments at Axial, this volcano serves as a powerful reminder of the dynamic processes beneath our oceans. The knowledge gained here could apply to predicting eruptions in other, more hazardous regions in the future.

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