An underwater volcano in the Pacific Ocean is drawing attention as researchers warn it may erupt before the year ends. The Axial Seamount, located about 300 miles off the Oregon coast and nearly 4,900 feet below the surface, has been inflating since January and is now showing signs of unrest, according to Oregon State University volcanologists.
Where is the Axial Seamount located?
The Axial Seamount sits along the Juan de Fuca Ridge, making it the most active submarine volcano in the northeast Pacific. Scientists say its eruptions follow a repeatable cycle, with previous activity recorded in 1998, 2011 and 2015.
Since the start of the year, molten rock has been accumulating beneath the seafloor, causing the volcano to swell "like a balloon." In June alone, seismometers detected over 2,000 earthquakes in a single day. While the daily rate has fluctuated, researchers believe the eruption timeline remains on track for this year.
How do researchers monitor the volcano?
Miles of fibre-optic cables extend from the coast to the seafloor, powering instruments that stream real-time data. Seismometers monitor tremors, while other instruments record seafloor variations. This setup enables scientists to examine volcanic processes and monitor how marine organisms respond to abrupt disruptions.
Experts say eruptions at the Axial Seamount occur far offshore and deep underwater, meaning they do not endanger coastal communities or property. Instead, the controlled eruptions provide valuable data that could help forecast eruptions of land-based volcanoes, which can directly threaten human populations.
What else are scientists studying there?
Alongside volcanic activity, biologists are investigating microbes that thrive in the caldera’s hydrothermal vents. These microbes withstand boiling water, feed on iron or sulphur, and fend off viral attacks. Scientists believe they could provide clues about the earliest stages of life on Earth while also influencing global biogeochemical cycles.
Despite progress at Axial Seamount, forecasting remains uncertain because few volcanoes are studied long enough to build accurate eruptive histories. Data from such submarine volcanoes may, however, hold the key to improving predictions on land in the future.
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