Scientists are suggesting that there is a possibility of an eruption at Axial Seamount, a submarine volcano located off the coast of Oregon, in the year 2025. This prediction holds significant importance as it is quite rare to be able to forecast underwater volcanic eruptions beyond just a few hours.
To provide a glimpse into the potential outcomes, we can look at the example of Japan, where a new island was formed as a result of an underwater explosion, indicating what the future might hold.
In Hawaii, there was a volcano that remained dormant for a staggering 800 years until it started indicating signs of becoming active again.
Researchers have observed indications of potential activity in Axial Seamount, a massive underwater volcano. Standing at a height of approximately 3,608 feet and spanning about 1.24 miles in width, this seamount is located at a depth of around 4,593 feet beneath the ocean’s surface.
Over the past ten years, a comprehensive network of underwater cables and monitoring devices has been diligently collecting data on Axial Seamount, meticulously documenting seismic events, expansions, and changes in orientation.
Geologist Mark Zumberge from Scripps Institution of Oceanography has hailed the volcano as “the most extensively monitored underwater volcano worldwide.”
In November, the summit of Axial Seamount experienced a significant increase in size, similar to what was observed before the eruption in 2015. This expansion indicated the accumulation of magma and the rising pressure within the volcano.
The scientists from Oregon State University, who closely monitored this development, were able to successfully predict the eruption in 2015, which they proudly regarded as their greatest forecasting achievement.”
Researchers are forecasting another imminent eruption based on the same pattern and increased seismic activity. The Axial team is currently employing artificial intelligence to analyze earthquake data from before the 2015 eruption, aiming to identify early warning signs of an eruption.
Valerio Acocella, a renowned volcanologist at Roma Tre University, acknowledges that there is no crystal ball when it comes to predicting volcanic activity.
However, he believes that Axial, with its frequent eruptions, offers a unique opportunity for scientific study. Acocella considers this volcano to be very promising as it provides valuable data that can help validate scientific hypotheses.
Acocella pointed out that in order to comprehend the functioning of volcanoes, it is crucial to study ideal cases.
Volcanic behavior, according to him, carries an inherent unpredictability. He cautions that there is always a possibility of a volcano deviating from any previously observed patterns and surprising us with unexpected actions.
According to Acocella, while Axial’s anticipated eruption in 2025 may not revolutionize the field of eruption forecasting, it will undoubtedly enhance our understanding. “This improved understanding will not only benefit us in comprehending Axial better but also aid in our understanding of other volcanoes,” he emphasized.
