Underwater Volcano Near Oregon Expected To Erupt As Scientists Track Activity

A deep-sea volcano off the coast of Oregon is showing signs of an impending eruption, according to scientists who have monitored the site for decades. Axial Seamount, located roughly 300 miles from shore, has displayed a pattern of activity similar to past eruptions, leading researchers to anticipate another event in 2025.

This submarine volcano has erupted three times in the past 30 years, with events occurring in 1998, 2011, and 2015. Scientists have noted that the volcano inflates as magma accumulates beneath the surface, a process that has preceded previous eruptions. Observations show that inflation has now reached levels seen before past eruptions, reinforcing predictions that an eruption is likely within the year.

William Chadwick, a research associate at Oregon State University, highlighted the volcano’s predictable nature. “It seems to have this pretty repeatable pattern from one eruption to the next,” he said. Researchers use a network of underwater instruments, including seismometers, to monitor real-time changes in activity, making Axial Seamount one of the most studied submarine volcanoes in the world.

Despite the expected eruption, scientists stress there is no risk to coastal communities. The volcano sits nearly a mile beneath the ocean surface, meaning any lava flow or seismic disturbance would not impact areas above water. “If you were on a boat above the volcano, you wouldn’t know at all that it had erupted,” said Scott Nooner, a geophysics professor at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

Axial Seamount is classified as a shield volcano, a type known for steady lava flows rather than explosive activity. Researchers have used the site to test forecasting models in an effort to improve eruption predictions for more hazardous volcanoes worldwide.

In June 2024, scientists conducted an expedition using remotely operated vehicles to collect further data on the volcano’s activity. The research is part of a long-term effort to refine eruption forecasting methods and improve early warning systems for future volcanic events.

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