A submarine volcano off the coast of Oregon, USA, could erupt by the end of 2025, scientists say.
The volcano, called Axial Seamount, is the most active underwater volcano in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. It last erupted in 2015 and has a history of eruptions in 1998 and 2011.
The good news is that Axial Seamount is not dangerous to humans because it lies more than a mile beneath the ocean’s surface. Scientists closely monitor the volcano using an advanced underwater observatory, which provides real-time data from the seafloor. Sensors have detected an increase in volcanic activity, with hundreds of small earthquakes occurring daily.
According to volcanologist Bill Chadwick, the volcano’s seafloor has been rising, similar to the buildup before the 2015 eruption. This suggests an eruption could happen within the next two years. After each eruption, the seafloor level drops as lava flows out of the volcano.
Experts say that when Axial Seamount erupts, it will likely resemble Hawaiian lava flows, with slow-moving lava spreading across the seafloor rather than a violent explosion. Studying this volcano helps scientists learn more about predicting future eruptions around the world.
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