This underwater volcano is giving 1000 tremors every day and might erupt in 2025
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Under miles of water, lies a submarine volcano quietly gearing up for what could be its next eruption. While this event may not be noticeable on the land, it holds a significant scientific value.
The underwater volcano that could erupt soon
About 300 miles away and nearly a mile beneath the surface and off the coast of Oregon is an Axial Seamount, a submarine shield volcano that has erupted in 1998, 2011, and 2015. According to the American Geophysical Union, another eruption may happen before the end of 2025.
Axial sits along the Juan de Fuca Ridge, where two tectonic plates, the Juan de Fuca and Pacific, are pulling apart. This, along with its geologic hotspot origin, makes it unique and active.
Location of Axial Seamount (Photo: Wikimedia commons)
What makes this special to the scientists
This Axial Seamount is fitted with a vast undersea network of the Ocean Observatories Initiative's Regional Cabled Array, which provides real-time data, video, and high-resolution images via fiber-optic cables stretching from the Oregon coast to the volcano summit.
Researchers call this the most monitored patch of seafloor in the world, according to Forbes. This observatory has already allowed scientists to get a glimpse of the past eruptions live and study seismic changes and magma build-up beforehand.
How do the scientists infer the possible eruption
Scientists believe the Axial Seamount could erupt soon because of two major signs. First, the seafloor around the volcano has started to swell, reaching levels similar to what was seen right before its last eruption in 2015.
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Second, there's been a big increase in small earthquakes, over 1,000 tiny tremors a day, as magma moves and builds pressure beneath the surface. According to Forbes, these clues suggest that something big could be brewing under the sea.
Will this eruption impact the people on the land?
Although powerful, this volcano lies far underwater, so there's minimal danger to land, and no risk of a tsunami or earthquake triggered by its eruptions.
Scientists are eager to capture the eruption because it could reveal new information about volcanic behavior at mid-ocean ridges and, potentially, inform forecasts for dangerous land volcanoes.
How will this impact the ecosystems?
Eruptions at Axial highly disrupt hydrothermal vent ecosystems, but studies have shown life bounces back surprisingly fast. Scientists hope to see how microbial and animal life returns after being buried by lava, which could be helpful in making deep-sea mining budget-friendly and economical.
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Economic Times
a day ago
- Economic Times
Underwater giant off U.S. coast shows signs of new eruption, scientists say
The Axial Seamount, a massive underwater volcano off Oregon's coast, may soon erupt again. Known as the region's most active submarine volcano, , it last erupted in 2015. Experts say the event poses no coastal threat but gives a rare opportunity to examine the seafloor changes, hydrothermal vents, and unique deep-sea microbial life thriving in extreme conditions. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads A Volcano on a Schedule Why It Matters Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Earth's Most Watched Submarine Volcano FAQs: Deep in the Pacific Ocean, about 300 miles west of Oregon's shoreline, a giant submarine volcano is drawing close attention from scientists. Known as the Axial Seamount , this massive feature lies nearly a mile below the surface and has shown signs gearing up for another Axial Seamount has a well-documented history of volcanic eruptions. Since scientists' monitoring began, it has erupted in 1998, 2011, and 2015 roughly every decade. Now, experts are tracing the site and believe mounting pressure beneath the seafloor cites that a new eruption could occur within the coming Chadwick, a volcanologist at Oregon State University, explained that the seafloor instruments have detected the volcano inflating steadily. This 'ballooning' is caused by magma pooling beneath the crust, forcing the surface upward. At the same time, thousands of small earthquakes have rippled through the area, a clear indicator that molten rock is on the move through underground volcano eruptions on the land, Axial's activity poses little direct threat to people. At 4,800 feet beneath the ocean, any eruption would stay confined to the seafloor. Experts highlight that the event would not trigger tsunamis or pose risks to coastal the scientific value is enormous. Each eruption gives rare insight into how the planet recycles material through the ocean floor. New lava flows reshape the seabed, new vents release mineral-rich fluids, and hydrothermal activity sustains microbial life. Some specialized microbes thrive in extreme conditions using iron or sulfur for energy and may hold answers about how life first emerged on makes Axial Seamount unique is its extensive monitoring system. Through the National Science Foundation's Ocean Observatories Initiative, cables and instruments track seismic processes, temperature change, and pressure shifts in real time. This stage of detail makes Axial Seamount one of the most intensely observed volcanoes anywhere in the world.A1. It is an active submarine volcano located along the Juan de Fuca Ridge in the northeast Pacific.A2. The Axial Seamount sits nearly a mile beneath the Pacific Ocean's surface.
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Economic Times
An underwater volcano, shaking with 1,000 tiny tremors every day, could erupt soon. Here's what scientists are saying
TIL Creatives AI generated image: The Axial Seamount has erupted several times in the past, with its most recent events taking place in 1998, 2011, and 2015. An underwater volcano off the Oregon coast in the US is showing strong signs that it may erupt soon. Known as the Axial Seamount, this submarine shield volcano lies nearly a mile beneath the Pacific Ocean's surface and about 300 miles offshore, along the Juan de Fuca Ridge. The Axial Seamount has erupted several times in the past, with its most recent events taking place in 1998, 2011, and 2015. Scientists now believe it could erupt again before the end of 2025. The seafloor around the volcano has begun to swell, a signal that was also observed before the 2015 eruption. In addition, the area is experiencing a surge in seismic activity, with more than a thousand small earthquakes recorded each day. According to Forbes, these warning signs suggest that 'something big could be brewing under the sea.' Monitoring the Axial Seamount is possible thanks to the Ocean Observatories Initiative's Regional Cabled Array, a high-tech network that provides real-time data, video, and high-resolution imagery. Researchers consider it the most closely observed patch of seafloor in the world. Although the volcano may erupt soon, experts say the eruption poses little risk to people on land. Its underwater location means there is no danger of a tsunami or earthquake being triggered. Still, the eruption is of great scientific importance. Studying volcanic activity at mid-ocean ridges could improve forecasts for eruptions of land-based volcanoes, which pose much greater risks to human life. Researchers are also interested in how hydrothermal vent ecosystems recover after being buried by lava. This work could provide insights into deep-sea mining and help make such operations more cost-effective in the future.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
An underwater volcano, shaking with 1,000 tiny tremors every day, could erupt soon. Here's what scientists are saying
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel An underwater volcano off the Oregon coast in the US is showing strong signs that it may erupt soon. Known as the Axial Seamount , this submarine shield volcano lies nearly a mile beneath the Pacific Ocean's surface and about 300 miles offshore, along the Juan de Fuca Axial Seamount has erupted several times in the past, with its most recent events taking place in 1998, 2011, and 2015. Scientists now believe it could erupt again before the end of 2025. The seafloor around the volcano has begun to swell, a signal that was also observed before the 2015 eruption. In addition, the area is experiencing a surge in seismic activity , with more than a thousand small earthquakes recorded each day. According to Forbes, these warning signs suggest that 'something big could be brewing under the sea.'Monitoring the Axial Seamount is possible thanks to the Ocean Observatories Initiative's Regional Cabled Array, a high-tech network that provides real-time data, video, and high-resolution imagery. Researchers consider it the most closely observed patch of seafloor in the the volcano may erupt soon, experts say the eruption poses little risk to people on land. Its underwater location means there is no danger of a tsunami or earthquake being the eruption is of great scientific importance. Studying volcanic activity at mid-ocean ridges could improve forecasts for eruptions of land-based volcanoes, which pose much greater risks to human life. Researchers are also interested in how hydrothermal vent ecosystems recover after being buried by lava. This work could provide insights into deep-sea mining and help make such operations more cost-effective in the future.
