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Off Oregon’s Coast, Underwater Volcano Rumbles with Activity
Scientists are closely monitoring Axial Seamount, an underwater volcano located approximately 300 miles off the Oregon coast, as it shows signs of potential eruption. Since January, the volcano, submerged about a mile beneath the ocean’s surface, has experienced a significant increase in seismic activity, with daily earthquake counts ranging from 100 to 300. This heightened activity suggests magma is moving within the volcano’s structure.
While the increased activity indicates a possible eruption, experts believe it is more likely to occur in 2026 or even 2027. University of Washington Oceanography Professor William Wilcock noted that the magma appears to be rising slowly, making precise predictions challenging. Despite the uncertainty, the volcano is equipped with monitoring devices, including underwater seismometers and GPS stations, to track its activity.
Although Axial Seamount stands at an imposing 1,100 meters tall and spreads 2 kilometers wide, its remote location poses no threat to human life. The volcano’s last eruption, in 2015, produced substantial lava flows reaching 450 feet thick.
Scientists emphasize the value of studying Axial Seamount. Valerio Acocella, a volcanologist at Roma Tre University, explained that increased understanding of this volcano will contribute to broader knowledge of volcanic behavior and improve eruption prediction models. He also cautioned that volcanoes can be unpredictable, acknowledging the possibility of unforeseen activity.