Axial Seamount expected to erupt soon

A scientist warns Axial Seamount could erupt within months signaling renewed deep sea volcanic activity.

Undersea volcano near West Coast on cusp of eruption

Axial Seamount sits about 300 miles off the US West Coast, nearly a mile below the sea surface. Scientists say the recent surge in seismic activity, including more than 2,000 earthquakes in a single day this summer, and the inflating seafloor echo a magma rise that previously led to the 2015 eruption. Researchers from Oregon State University and partner institutions say the signs point toward an eruption in the coming months, though the exact timing remains uncertain and the quakes are too small to be felt at the surface.

Despite the strong signals, experts emphasize that offshore eruptions pose no direct risk to people on shore. They also note that while such events can give advance warning, volcanoes can still surprise us with rapid changes. If magma moves through a lateral crack known as a dike, the eruption location could shift unexpectedly. Sensor networks, including underwater seismometers and GPS stations, have improved monitoring and may help predict other near shore volcanoes, including Mount Rainier in Washington, even though that volcano lies on land and presents a different danger profile.

Offshore monitoring has become a model for how science tracks hidden threats. The Axial Seamount project shows how tiny earthquakes and seafloor swelling reveal magma movement long before lava reaches the surface. That clarity helps scientists forecast events months in advance and to study similar systems around the Pacific.

The story also highlights a tension in science communication. Forecasters must balance precise uncertainty with clear guidance so coastal communities do not panic or ignore warnings. The deep sea lesson also offers a roadmap for on land volcanoes, turning a distant threat into practical knowledge.

Highlights

Scientists will keep watching the deep sea for new clues