A highly active underwater volcano, Axial Seamount, located 300 miles off the coast of Oregon, is at risk of erupting before the end of 2025. Scientists say that the rate of inflation suggests an eruption is imminent.
The Axial Seamount has been closely monitored by Oregon State University and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington since it was chosen as the site for the world’s first underwater volcano observatory. Recently, over 2,000 earthquakes were detected in a single day, indicating magma movement beneath the volcano.
Oregon State geophysicist William Chadwick expects an eruption by the end of the year, citing the volcano’s recent seismic activity and bulging ocean floor as signs of magma rising to the surface.
Unlike explosive eruptions that can trigger tsunamis, this underwater volcano is expected to produce a more fluid lava flow, with little gas emission. The lava will cool quickly when it meets seawater, forming a crust. While sea life may be affected by the eruption, scientists believe whales are less likely to be impacted due to their shallow swimming habits.
The Axial Seamount’s last eruption occurred in 2015, followed by smaller eruptions in 2011 and 1998. Scientists remain uncertain about the exact timing of the next eruption but acknowledge that monitoring efforts will continue to provide vital updates on the volcano’s activity.
Source: https://www.kptv.com/2025/08/19/underwater-volcano-off-oregon-coast-could-erupt-any-day-scientists-say