Temperatures are rising hundreds of miles off Oregon’s coastline as Axial Seamount, a significant underwater volcano, is showing alarming signs of an imminent eruption. Located nearly one mile beneath the ocean’s surface, this sleeping giant sits on a geological hotspot where intense flows of molten rock ascend from Earth’s mantle into the crust.
What makes Axial Seamount particularly interesting is its unique position on the Juan de Fuca Ridge, where two enormous tectonic plates-the Pacific and Juan de Fuca plates-are continuously separating, creating a gradual buildup of pressure beneath Earth’s exterior.
The Warning Signs
Scientists are on high alert as earthquake activity has dramatically increased in recent weeks. The volcano is currently experiencing a few hundred earthquakes each day as it swells with magma, though this is still significantly fewer than what preceded the last eruption.
“I would predict that it could erupt sometime later this year or early 2026, but it might happen tomorrow, as it is entirely unpredictable,” noted Wilcock, a marine geophysics professor who specializes in studying the volcano.
When Axial Seamount last erupted in April 2015, researchers recorded a staggering 10,000 minor earthquakes in a single day-and experts anticipate similar seismic activity for the upcoming event2. During that eruption, molten rock flowed from the volcano for about a month, spreading approximately 25 miles across the ocean floor.
A Unique Underwater World
At the core of the volcano lies a magma chamber that has experienced multiple collapses over time, forming a large crater known as a caldera. This underwater environment is teeming with marine life that thrives on mineral-rich gases escaping through hydrothermal vents-essentially underwater hot springs.
These vents create spectacular white plumes called “snowblowers,” where streams of heated fluid rise from fissures in the caldera’s surface, carrying billions of microbes.
One of the most fascinating discoveries about Axial Seamount is its resilience. During previous eruptions, small organisms inhabiting the hydrothermal vents were incinerated by lava flows, yet within just three months, their ecosystem rebounded and thrived once more.
“I believe this is one of our most significant discoveries,” stated a University of Washington professor. “Life flourishes in these harsh environments, and volcanoes are likely a major source of life in our oceans.”
No Threat to Land
Despite its impressive power, Axial Seamount poses no threat to coastal communities. The volcano sits too deep in the ocean and too far from shore-approximately 300 miles off the Oregon coast-to cause any harm or even be noticed by the public when it erupts.
“It’s not a highly explosive event. You won’t see ash clouds rising above the water or anything of that nature,” explained Kelley from the Cabled Array. “It’s akin to placing a mile of seawater over Kilauea… you might witness some fountaining, but that’s about it.”
A Scientific Breakthrough
The upcoming eruption presents an unprecedented opportunity for scientists. The observatory plans to livestream the next eruption-a first in history. This is particularly significant because most of Earth’s volcanic activity occurs within underwater spreading centers like the Juan de Fuca Ridge.
“Three quarters of all of the volcanic activity on Earth takes place at mid-ocean spreading centers,” said Deborah Kelley, a professor in the UW School of Oceanography and director of the Regional Cabled Array. “But people have never directly witnessed an eruption along this mountain chain, so we still have a lot of unanswered questions.”
Interestingly, detailed observations have revealed that the timing of Axial Seamount’s eruptions isn’t solely dependent on underground magma pressure-it’s also influenced by external factors. All three recent eruptions (1998, 2011, and 2015) occurred between January and April, coinciding with Earth’s movement away from the sun.
“I don’t think we fully grasp the reasons behind this, but it might relate to gravitational forces from the moon affecting the volcano,” Wilcock stated. The moon’s monthly orbit generates tidal movements, causing pressure fluctuations on the ocean floor that may be pushing the magma chamber toward its breaking point.
As scientists continue monitoring this underwater giant, the world awaits what could be the most thoroughly documented submarine volcanic eruption in history.
