Axial Seamount, an underwater volcano situated approximately 300 miles off the Oregon coast, is anticipated to erupt before the close of 2025. This will mark its first eruption in 11 years. The volcano is located about a mile beneath the ocean surface.
Bill Chadwick, an adjunct at Oregon State University, predicts the eruption based on inflation and deflation cycles. Magma accumulation causes the seafloor to expand, and it subsides following an eruption. The impending magma flow heats seawater to temperatures exceeding 700 degrees Fahrenheit, resulting in hydrothermal vents.
These vents, akin to hot springs on the seafloor, are abundant in minerals and sustain distinctive ecosystems. Microbes at the base of the food chain utilize chemical reactions for energy, which in turn supports diverse animal life. The Ocean Observatories Initiative, with funding from the National Science Foundation, employs pressure sensors to monitor these changes.
Scientists estimate that 80% of volcanic eruptions occur underwater. Axial Seamount has become a crucial location for enhancing underwater volcano forecasting. While the eruption may cause minor earthquakes, they are not expected to inflict substantial harm on marine or terrestrial life.