Experts have issued a warning about a potential volcanic eruption off the coast of Oregon in 2025, providing a valuable opportunity for scientific study.
Rest assured, there isn’t a large volcanic presence that you’ve overlooked off Oregon’s coast.
The volcano in question is submerged beneath the ocean, approximately 470 km from the state’s shoreline.
The underwater volcano, known as Axial Seamount, rises 1,100 meters with a 2 km diameter, residing 1,400 meters below sea level.
What’s particularly noteworthy is that this early alert represents a remarkable achievement, as most warnings typically occur just a few hours before an eruption.
Researchers have indicated signs of impending activity from the volcano. It last erupted in 2015, and experts note it is displaying similar signs as before.
For the past ten years, several instruments have been tracking every movement of the volcano in real time through an undersea cable.
Mark Zumberge, a geologist from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, has called Axial Seamount ‘the most well-instrumented submarine volcano on the planet,’ contributing to more precise forecasting.
In November, Axial’s surface experienced swelling to levels seen prior to its 2015 eruption, suggesting magma accumulation beneath the surface and heightened pressure.
During the 2015 event, researchers at Oregon State University successfully predicted the eruption, calling it ‘the best forecast’ achieved at that time.
Volcanologist Valerio Acocella from Roma Tre University describes Axial as a ‘very promising volcano’ that can enhance our understanding of volcanic activity.
The volcano is being monitored closely, with the application of artificial intelligence technology to gain further insights.
The goal is to analyze pre-2015 earthquake data to identify patterns that could improve future eruption forecasts.
Despite advancements, Acocella acknowledges the unpredictability of natural events, stating: “We need ideal cases to understand how volcanos work.”
He cautions against unexpected volcanic behavior, noting: “There’s always a risk that a volcano will follow a pattern that we haven’t seen before and do something unexpected.”
Although a 2025 eruption is unlikely to drastically change prediction methods, he believes it will be a step forward, adding: “We’ll understand it better and that will help us understand other volcanoes, too.”