Huge volcano eruption predicted for 2025 as scientists are left ‘fascinated’ – Daily Express US
Scientists believe a massive underwater volcano is on the brink of eruption.The colossal Axial Seamount, situated approximately 300 miles off the coast of Oregon in the US, is over a mile long, stands 1,000 meters tall and lies less than a mile beneath the surface of the Pacific Ocean.Signs of activity such as rumbling and swelling have been detected, leading scientists to predict that this underwater behemoth could soon erupt.”This particular volcano is probably the best-monitored submarine volcano in the world,” said Mike Poland from the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, as reported by the Cowboy State Daily.However, experts are not overly concerned about the potential eruption. Poland described the volcano as “fascinating” but reassured that it “doesn’t really pose a hazard”.Axial Seamount is a shield volcano, similar to Mauna Loa, the world’s most active volcano located in Hawaii.Shield volcanoes typically produce runny lava flows that result in gentle slopes. They earn their name due to their resemblance to a shield lying on the ground.”When Axial Seamount erupts, it’ll look a lot like a Hawaiian lava flow eruption. It’s not an explosive eruption, but calm effusions of lava flowing out of the caldera and across the seafloor,” Poland explained.Bill Chadwick, Research Associate at Oregon State University, anticipates that we may have to wait until the end of 2025 for the eruption.Speaking to BS affiliate KOIN 6 News, he explained: “Because it’s had these three eruptions in the last 30 years, that’s why we call it the most active volcano in the Pacific Northwest, because most of the ones on land aren’t active that frequently, and they spend a lot of their time slumbering, whereas Axial has a pretty active magma supply.”Axial Seamount has a history of eruptions, with notable events occurring in 1998, 2011, and 2015.Chadwick further noted: “So, if it’s not erupting, it’s inflating and getting ready for the next one. And so that’s why we’re kind of monitoring what’s happening to it all the time.”He described the process: “The balloon keeps getting bigger and bigger. And at some point, the pressure becomes too great and the magma forces open a crack, flowing to the surface. When that happens, the seafloor subsides as the ‘balloon’ deflates.”Additionally, there’s been a surge in seismic activity near the volcano.Given that shield volcanoes are generally less explosive and the immense pressure of the Pacific Ocean above, Chadwick reassured that “people’s lives aren’t in the equation” when discussing the potential eruption of this underwater giant.In an interview with KOIN 6 News, Chadwick explained: “If you were out there on a ship right over the seamount, you would never know anything was happening unless you dangled a hydrophone, an underwater microphone, into the water, then you might be hearing some commotion from down deep. But there’s no effect at the surface.”SEARCHCONNECT WITH USTHE-EXPRESS.COMWould you like to receive news notifications from The Express?
