Axial Seamount volcano set to erupt off Oregon coast for first time since 2015
Share and Follow

A volcano under the sea, located 300 miles away from Oregon, is showing signs that it could erupt soon. The last time it erupted was in 2015. Scientists have observed an increase in seismic activity, with over 1,000 earthquakes happening daily in the area. If it erupts, it is expected to release highly fluid lava into the ocean.

Axial Seamount has exhibited increasing volcanic activity, with scientists able to measure the swelling of the underwater structure in the Pacific Ocean — indicating that the top could blow off with lava any time between now and the end of the year, NBC reported.

“This volcano is similar to ones in Hawaii that erupt very fluid lavas,” Bill Chadwick, volcanologist and research professor at Oregon State University, told the outlet.

“They tend to inflate like a balloon in between eruptions. At Axial, the sea floor is actually rising, and that’s a big signal.”

In 2015, Axial Seamount had a massive eruption that leaked out a surreal amount of magma, with one lava flow measuring 450 feet thick, the report stated.

“For reference, that’s about two-thirds the height of the Space Needle in Seattle,” Chadwick explained. “That’s a lot of lava.”

Despite the intensity of the explosion, the volcano poses no threat to humans.

Shockingly, the Axial Seamount, located 4,626 feet below sea level, is so deep underwater that an eruption may not even be noticeable from the waters just above, scientists said.

“Even if you were out on a boat right over the seamount when it’s erupting, you probably would never know it,” Chadwick told NBC News.

The underwater spewer is located between the two tectonic plates that are separating — which puts pressure on the seafloor, fueling volcanic activity.

Axial Seamount has erupted three times in the past 30 years — in 1998, 2011, and 2015.

The submarine volcano isn’t the only seismic activity West Coasters may have in store.

Hundreds of miles of Pacific Northwest coastline could tumble into the sea if the Cascadia Subduction Zone, an undersea fault line about 100 miles off the North American coast, is hit by “The Big One,” according to a recent study.

The 600-mile earthquake hotspot could see shorelines from northern California to Vancouver, Canada, sinking 6 feet or more.

Luckily, the Cascadia Subduction Zone is “located quite a distance away” from Axial Seamount, Forbes reported Friday — so there shouldn’t be fears of an Earth-shaking one-two punch.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
David Del Rio fired from 'Matlock' amid sexual assault allegations: Reports

David Del Rio Removed from ‘Matlock’ Over Sexual Assault Allegations: Reports

Del Rio was allegedly escorted off the ‘Matlock’ set during filming in…
Senate defeats government funding measure as shutdown hits Day 9

Senate Rejects Funding Proposal as Government Shutdown Reaches Day 9

The Senate on Thursday voted for a seventh time to block a…
Tennessee teacher fired over Charlie Kirk posts files lawsuit

Tennessee Educator Sues After Dismissal Over Charlie Kirk Social Media Posts

RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) A longtime Rutherford County teacher is suing her…
Cuellar: Furloughed USDA inspectors can't check for New World screwworm

Cuellar: USDA Inspectors on Furlough Unable to Monitor New World Screwworm

McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) Congressman Henry Cuellar says U.S. Agriculture employees who…
A'Ja Wilson, Aces win third WNBA crown with four-game sweep of Mercury

A’Ja Wilson Leads Aces to Third WNBA Title with a Four-Game Sweep of the Mercury

A’Ja Wilson has secured another WNBA championship to her Hall-of-Fame credentials as…
Military mom breaks down while pleading to stop shutdown

Emotional Plea from Military Mom to Prevent Government Shutdown

A military mother criticized Speaker Mike Johnson for not convening Congress to…
GM kills two gas classics to make way for EV

GM Retires Two Iconic Gas Models to Prioritize Electric Vehicles

A top-selling car is making a comeback after a three-year hiatus —…
Is mail delivered on Columbus Day? What's open and closed on the federal holiday

Does Mail Get Delivered on Columbus Day? Open and Closed Facilities on the Federal Holiday

From mail delivery to banks, here’s what to know about closures on…