The Axial Seamount, an underwater volcano located about 300 miles off the coast of Oregon, is showing alarming signs of activity. Scientists have been closely monitoring this submarine volcano, which is now “primed to erupt” in 2025. The volcano has been experiencing a significant increase in seismic activity, with reports of up to 500 earthquakes per day. This surge in activity is a clear indicator that the volcano is building up pressure and could erupt within the next year.
Axial Seamount is one of the most active underwater volcanoes in the northeast Pacific Ocean. It sits on the Juan de Fuca Ridge, an underwater mountain range where the Earth’s tectonic plates are pulling apart, allowing magma to rise and form new crust. This geological activity has made Axial Seamount a focal point for scientists studying volcanic processes. The volcano has erupted multiple times in the past, with significant eruptions recorded in 1998, 2011, and 2015.
The current situation at Axial Seamount is particularly concerning due to the rapid rate of inflation observed in the volcano’s surface. Since late 2023, the rate of inflation has increased dramatically, reaching levels similar to those seen before the 2015 eruption. By mid-2024, the rate of inflation hit 10 inches per year, while daily earthquakes soared into the hundreds2. This pattern of swelling and increased seismicity is a strong indicator that an eruption is imminent.
Sources:
https://brobible.com/culture/article/west-coast-undersea-volcano-erupt-2025/
https://www.jpost.com/science/science-around-the-world/article-835644
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/scientists-undersea-volcano-eruption
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