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One of the most active underwater volcanoes is expected to erupt soon. This forecast is special - and can help better predict outbreaks.
Salem - Axial Seamount is located about 300 miles (480 kilometers) off the coast of Oregon, on the Juan de Fuca Ridge. The underwater volcano, which lies approximately one kilometer below the surface of the sea, is one of the most active in the world and is an important study object for seismic research.
Now there are clear indications of an impending eruption, which researchers are eagerly awaiting. According to a report recently published by the American Geophysical Union (AGU), an eruption is expected in late 2025.
Being able to predict an eruption so far is "very unique," geophysicist William Chadwick explained in an interview with Science News. Although much research is being done to enable better predictions, it is currently still very difficult to make reliable predictions.
Axial Seamount can play a central role here, as the underwater volcano has been closely monitored for more than a decade. Seabed pressure sensors, as well as autonomous vehicles (AUVs) and remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) provide an unparalleled view of volcano behavior. "It's the best instrumented underwater volcano in the world," says Mark Zumberge of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, as reported by ZME Science.
What is also useful for researchers is that the eruptions of the Baltic Sea follow a fairly regular pattern. "Three observed eruptions suggest that the volcano erupts with a similar level of inflation each time," says the AGU report. These took place in 1998, 2011 and 2015.
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