Scientists Confirm Axial Seamount Volcano Eruption Delayed Until 2026
UPDATE: Scientists have announced that the giant underwater volcano, Axial Seamount, located approximately 300 miles off the Oregon coast, will not erupt until at least mid-to-late 2026. This revelation comes as a disappointment to researchers who have been eagerly monitoring the volcano’s activity since its last eruption in 2015.
Axial Seamount, the most active submarine volcano in the Northeast Pacific, is currently experiencing a slow inflation process. Researchers initially predicted an eruption could occur between mid-2024 and late 2025, based on inflation trends observed earlier this year. However, this timeline has now been pushed back due to a slowdown in the volcano’s inflation rates.
Bill Chadwick, a volcanologist at Oregon State University, shared the latest insights on the situation during an update on the Axial Blog. He stated, “It will take a bit more time than we anticipated,” noting that the volcano’s summit is currently about four inches higher than it was prior to the last eruption. Researchers estimate that Axial needs an additional eight inches of inflation before an eruption can occur.
The volcano’s behavior has been inconsistent, with inflation rising sharply after the 2015 eruption, only to decrease significantly by 2023. Chadwick described the recent seismic activity as a “fundamental change in the magma supply.” The ongoing research aims to better understand the patterns of Axial’s eruptions and the dynamics of magma movement beneath the surface.
Despite the setbacks, experts emphasize that this situation remains a scientific curiosity rather than a public hazard. Axial’s location deep underwater means that past eruptions have not resulted in tsunamis or significant danger to coastal communities.
As scientists continue to analyze the data, they are also employing a new physics-based model that integrates real-time information from a cabled observatory, enhancing their ability to predict future eruptions.
The scientific community remains engaged with the developments surrounding Axial Seamount, eager to unlock the mysteries of this underwater giant. With the eruption timeline now extended, researchers are focusing on what this means for future predictions and volcanic behavior.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
