(LOOTPRESS) – Deep beneath the Pacific Ocean, a powerful undersea volcano known as Axial Seamount is showing signs of an impending eruption, and scientists say it could happen any day now.
Located nearly a mile underwater, about 300 miles off the Oregon coast, Axial Seamount sits at a unique geological hotspot where molten rock surges from Earth’s mantle — and it’s perched right on the Juan de Fuca Ridge, where two tectonic plates are slowly pulling apart. That combination creates an ideal setup for volcanic pressure to build.
Lately, the volcano has been rumbling with hundreds of small earthquakes daily, according to researchers with the National Science Foundation’s Ocean Observatories Initiative, operated by the University of Washington. That spike in seismic activity, they say, is a clear warning sign.
“An eruption could come later this year or early 2026 — or tomorrow,” said University of Washington marine geophysicist William Wilcock. “It’s completely unpredictable.”
What Happens When It Blows?
Axial Seamount last erupted in April 2015, releasing lava across 25 miles of seafloor. In a single day, over 10,000 microearthquakes were recorded, and a steady ooze of magma flowed from deep below. Scientists expect a similar event this time.
The volcano’s crater, or caldera, has collapsed multiple times in past eruptions, and it’s become a haven for unusual deep-sea life. Creatures flourish in this high-pressure world, sustained by mineral-rich fluids venting from the seafloor — a phenomenon researchers call “snowblowers” due to the white plumes they create.
While lava can temporarily destroy these fragile ecosystems, they bounce back quickly. “Just three months after the last eruption, life was thriving again,” said Debbie Kelley, director of the Regional Cabled Array.
Kelley added that the volcano plays a crucial role in understanding life’s origins: “Volcanoes like Axial may have been key to life forming in our oceans.”
Will People Be Affected?
Not likely. The eruption is expected to be non-explosive, mostly shielded by the deep ocean above it. “You won’t see ash clouds or huge eruptions above water,” Kelley said. “It’s like putting a mile of ocean on top of Hawaii’s Kilauea.”
Even marine life in the area — including whales and fish — typically escape unscathed, although they may feel the tremors.
A Front-Row Seat to Earth’s Workings
Unlike most underwater volcanoes, Axial Seamount is extensively monitored. Researchers plan to livestream the next eruption — a scientific first — offering the public a rare look at seafloor volcanism in real time.
This level of observation is groundbreaking. In fact, the first time humans directly witnessed an undersea eruption wasn’t until April 29, 2024, when scientists diving near Costa Rica spotted lava seeping through the East Pacific Rise. The event charred a previously thriving vent community, leaving behind what one researcher called a “tubeworm barbecue.”
“These eruptions are how our planet builds new crust,” said Dan Fornari of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. “It’s still one of the least understood environments on Earth.”
The Moon’s Surprising Role
Interestingly, all three of Axial’s recent eruptions — in 1998, 2011, and 2015 — occurred between January and April. Researchers suspect a link to gravitational forces from the moon, which influence ocean tides and pressure on the seafloor.
As magma builds, these pressure shifts could help push the volcano to its breaking point. High tides, in particular, seem to trigger more frequent earthquakes within the caldera.
“It’s a reminder,” Wilcock said, “that what happens on the surface — even the moon’s pull — can influence the hidden forces shaping our planet from below.
Want to watch Earth make new land? Keep an eye on the Regional Cabled Array for the livestream of Axial Seamount’s next eruption.
