Scientists predict that the Axial Seamount, an underwater volcano located 300 miles off the Oregon coast, may erupt later this year, but it poses no threat to land or seismic stability.
The Axial Seamount, an underwater volcano situated more than 4,900 feet beneath the Pacific Ocean, is showing signs of a potential eruption later this year. Located approximately 300 miles off the coast of Oregon, this volcano has not erupted since 2015, but recent observations indicate that it may be preparing for another event.
According to the University of Washington’s College of the Environment, the Axial Seamount is formed by a geological phenomenon known as a hot spot. This occurs when hot plumes of molten material rise from the Earth’s mantle into the crust. As tectonic plates move over this stationary hot spot, it leads to the formation of long chains of volcanoes over time.
Maya Tolstoy, a marine geophysicist and dean of the College of the Environment, explained the significance of these underwater volcanic systems. “Over two-thirds of the Earth’s surface was formed by volcanic eruptions at these mid-ocean ridges,” she stated. “Axial Seamount is a direct result of these fundamental processes that continue to shape our planet today.”
Despite the potential for an eruption, scientists have reassured the public that there is no cause for alarm. The depth and distance of Axial Seamount from the shore mean that any eruption will not affect people on land. “Axial Seamount is much too deep and far from shore for people on land to even notice when it erupts,” the university’s blog post notes. Furthermore, the event is unrelated to seismic activity on land, so residents of the Pacific Northwest need not worry about it triggering major earthquakes or tsunamis.
The first indication of an impending eruption will be a noticeable increase in the frequency of earthquakes in the vicinity of the volcano. Deborah Kelley, a professor at the UW School of Oceanography and director of the Regional Cabled Array, highlighted the current seismic activity. “The volcano has already surpassed the inflation we observed in 2015, but the earthquake activity is still quite low,” she said. “We’re seeing 200 to 300 earthquakes per day, with some spikes around 1,000 per day due to the tides. If what we learned in 2015 is correct, I would expect to see more than 2,000 per day for a few months before the eruption.”
The increase in seismic activity is attributed to magma moving toward the surface. Kelley elaborated on the eruption process, stating, “That period lasts about an hour, and then the magma reaches the surface.” Once the eruption begins, lava flows will spread across the caldera, with fissures opening up to the north or south, potentially reaching distances of up to 40 kilometers (about 25 miles).
Following the initial eruption, seismic activity is expected to decrease relatively quickly over the next few days, although the eruption itself may continue at a slower pace for about a month.
As scientists continue to monitor the Axial Seamount, they remain vigilant in their efforts to understand the dynamics of this underwater volcano and its potential impact on the surrounding environment. The ongoing research not only contributes to our knowledge of volcanic activity but also enhances preparedness for future geological events.
For more information, refer to the University of Washington’s College of the Environment.