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Off Oregon’s Coast, an Underwater Volcano Prepares for a Show
Hundreds of miles off the Oregon coast, Axial Seamount, a large undersea volcano, is showing signs of an impending eruption. Located on the Juan de Fuca Ridge, where the Pacific and Juan de Fuca tectonic plates spread apart, this hotspot volcano experiences a constant buildup of pressure.
Scientists at the University of Washington, utilizing the National Science Foundation’s Ocean Observatories Initiative, are closely monitoring the volcano’s activity. A recent uptick in earthquake frequency, coupled with the volcano’s inflation from rising magma, suggests an eruption could be on the horizon.
While the exact timing remains unpredictable, researchers believe it could occur later this year or in early 2026.
What to Expect When Axial Erupts
During Axial Seamount’s last eruption in 2015, approximately 10,000 small earthquakes were recorded in a single day. Magma flowed for a month, extending 25 miles across the seafloor.
The volcano’s magma chamber collapses periodically, forming a caldera, a large crater teeming with life sustained by hydrothermal vents. These vents release mineral-rich gases, supporting a unique ecosystem.
While lava flows initially scorch the vent ecosystems, they rebound remarkably within months. Although nearby marine life may experience some disturbance, the eruption poses no threat to land or surrounding ocean life.
The eruption won’t be visible above water, resembling a deep-sea version of Kilauea’s lava flows rather than an explosive event.
A Front-Row Seat to an Underwater Spectacle
Axial Seamount’s relatively mild eruptions make it ideal for scientific observation. The observatory plans to livestream the next eruption, a first-of-its-kind event.
Observing underwater volcanic activity is challenging. Scientists only recently witnessed a live eruption in the Pacific Ocean west of Costa Rica, where they discovered a “tubeworm barbeque” – a charred vent field – indicating recent volcanic activity.
A Celestial Connection?
Interestingly, Axial Seamount’s eruptions appear to be influenced by celestial mechanics. The three most recent eruptions occurred between January and April, when Earth is farthest from the sun.
Scientists speculate this might be related to the moon’s gravitational pull and its effect on ocean tides. The pressure changes from tides could stress the volcano’s caldera, contributing to eruptions.