Scientists Fascinated as Huge Underwater Volcano Eruption Predicted
Experts predict a massive underwater volcano off Oregon’s coast may erupt soon
Axial Seamount, Oregon, Pacific Ocean, Volcano, Eruption
Oregon: Scientists are closely watching the Axial Seamount. This underwater volcano is about 300 miles off the Oregon coast. It’s over a mile long and stands 1,000 meters tall, sitting less than a mile below the ocean surface.
Experts have noticed signs of activity, like swelling and rumbling. They think an eruption could happen soon. Mike Poland from the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory said it’s the best-monitored submarine volcano in the world.
Even with the potential eruption, experts aren’t too worried. Poland called the volcano “fascinating” but said it “doesn’t really pose a hazard.”
The Axial Seamount is a shield volcano, similar to Mauna Loa in Hawaii. Shield volcanoes have gentle slopes and produce runny lava flows. Poland explained that when Axial erupts, it will look like a Hawaiian lava flow, not an explosive eruption.
Bill Chadwick from Oregon State University thinks we might wait until late 2025 for the eruption. He noted that Axial has erupted three times in the last 30 years, making it the most active volcano in the Pacific Northwest.
Chadwick said, “If it’s not erupting, it’s inflating and getting ready for the next one.” The volcano is under constant monitoring due to its history of eruptions in 1998, 2011, and 2015.
He compared the eruption process to an overinflated balloon. As pressure builds, magma forces open a crack, flowing to the surface. When this happens, the seafloor subsides as the “balloon” deflates.
Increased seismic activity near the volcano has raised awareness. However, Chadwick assured that there’s no threat to human life from this underwater giant’s potential eruption.
He added, “If you were on a ship right over the seamount, you wouldn’t know anything was happening unless you used an underwater microphone.”