Underwater volcano Axial Seamount primed for 2025 eruption
The underwater volcano Axial Seamount is on the brink of eruption, and scientists warn that this event is inevitable.
Located 300 miles off the coast of Oregon, Axial Seamount is showing signs of an impending eruption, according to the Science Alert portal. Experts predict that the volcano will erupt before the end of 2025.
The mountain's surface is gradually rising due to increasing pressure exerted by the magma beneath it. This rise is a clear indication of the mounting pressure.
Increased seismic activity heralds eruptions
The shield structure of the volcano suggests that the eruption will not be dramatic, with lava flowing out to create a new ocean floor. Similar events occurred in 1998, 2011, and 2015. Currently, the volcano has reached a critical level similar to that of previous eruptions, indicating that a similar event may occur soon. During such an eruption, magma spreads over the surface, forming new portions of the seabed. This phenomenon also helps avoid the dangers of tsunami formation, which is reassuring for nearby areas.
The eruption will aid in research
Recent seismic studies have uncovered the existence of multiple magma reservoirs beneath the volcano. These reservoirs are located asymmetrically in the upper crust, beneath layers of basalt and gabbro. Scientists have also identified a connection between the main magma reservoir and the eruption fissures on the sea floor.
Axial Seamount lies at the junction of the Juan de Fuca and Pacific tectonic plates, where new ocean floor is continually formed due to plate pressure. "If we’re successful at forecasting eruptions at Axial then we can apply what we learn to other volcanoes around the world that are more dangerous to people and are in more complex settings," says Chadwick. The new research was published in "Nature".
