In News:

The Axial Seamount, an active underwater volcano located in the northeast Pacific Ocean off the coast of Oregon (USA), has shown increased seismic activity, prompting scientists to warn of a possible eruption in the near future. Despite the alert, experts emphasize that any eruption would pose no threat to coastal populations due to the volcano’s great depth.

Location & Geological Setting

• Located ~300 miles off the Oregon coast in the Pacific Ocean.
• Situated on the Juan de Fuca Ridge, a divergent boundary between the Pacific Plate and the Juan de Fuca Plate.
• Classified as a shield volcano with a summit caldera.
• Rises to a depth of approx. 1,400 m (≈4,900 ft) below sea level.
• Formed by a hotspot, where mantle plumes rise beneath the oceanic crust.

Scientific Importance

• Considered the most active submarine volcano in the northeast Pacific.
• Documented eruptions: 1998, 2011, 2015.
• The 2015 eruption triggered:
  • ~8,000 earthquakes
  • 400-ft-thick lava flows
  • Seafloor subsidence of nearly 8 ft

Current Activity

• Recent USGS-recorded quakes of M4.8 and M5.4 occurred close to Axial Seamount.
• Over 2,000 micro-earthquakes in a single day were noted this year.
• Scientists expect the next eruption between late 2025 and early 2026, though the timing remains unpredictable.
• Surface uplift has been observed, matching levels seen prior to the 2015 eruption.

Hydrothermal Vent Ecosystem

• Hosts hydrothermal vents, releasing super-heated, mineral-rich fluids.
• Supports unique chemosynthetic ecosystems, including:
  • Microbes using volcanic gases for energy
  • Giant tubeworms
  • Crabs, clams, fish, octopuses
• Provides a natural laboratory for studying extreme environments and deep-sea biodiversity.

Monitoring Infrastructure

• Part of the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI).
• Hosts the New Millennium Observatory (NeMO) — the world’s first underwater volcanic observatory.
• Real-time monitoring via undersea cables transmitting continuous data on:
  • Seismic activity
  • Gas emissions
  • Vent temperatures
  • Seafloor deformation

Hazards & Human Impact

• Despite increased activity, eruptions do not threaten humans or coastal infrastructure.
• Events occur deep underwater and may pass unnoticed at the surface.
• However, they are crucial for advancing scientific understanding of:
  • Mid-ocean ridge volcanism
  • Crustal formation
  • Seafloor hydrothermal systems