Axial Seamount Underwater Volcano Likely to Erupt by End of 2025

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The Axial Seamount, an underwater volcano located 300 miles off the Oregon coast, is showing signs of an impending eruption, likely to occur by the end of 2025, according to scientists from Oregon State University and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. This volcano is the most active in the Pacific Northwest, having erupted in 1998, 2011, and 2015.

Experts monitoring the volcano have noted a steady increase in inflation, indicating magma movement beneath the surface. Bill Chadwick from OSU stated that while an eruption is not imminent, continuous monitoring suggests one is inevitable within the next two years.

Unlike other volcanoes in the Cascades that can remain dormant for centuries, Axial Seamount’s eruptions are relatively frequent, providing a unique research opportunity. Additionally, due to its shield volcano structure, any eruption is expected to produce flowing magma rather than explosive activity, significantly reducing the risk of tsunamis. The volcano rests on the Juan de Fuca Ridge, keeping it separate from the potentially hazardous Cascadia Subduction Zone.

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