Scientists have been closely watching a powerful underwater volcano called the Axial Seamount. It’s known as the most active volcano in the Pacific Northwest and is located deep in the Pacific Ocean, about 300 miles away from the coast of Oregon in the United States. This volcano is not on land—it’s actually more than 4,900 feet below the surface of the ocean, hidden far beneath the waves.
Recently, the scientists noticed something unusual. There has been a huge increase in the number of small earthquakes happening around the volcano—hundreds of them every single day. This is not normal. Earthquakes like these are usually a sign that the volcano is waking up and could erupt soon. The experts say that the volcano could possibly erupt at any moment, maybe even today.
One of the biggest warning signs is that the seafloor around the volcano is rising. This happens when molten rock, called magma, starts to build up underneath. It pushes upward, causing the ground above it to lift. This kind of movement shows that the volcano is preparing to release pressure. A scientist named William Chadwick explained that the way the ground is swelling now is very similar to what they saw just before the volcano erupted back in 2015.
Another expert, William Wilcock, said that right now there are about 200 earthquakes happening every day in that area. That’s a big number, and it reminds scientists of what happened in previous eruptions in 1998, 2011, and 2015. During the 2015 eruption, there were around 8,000 earthquakes, and huge lava flows poured out, reaching up to 400 feet thick.
Wilcock also explained how the eruption usually happens. First, the earthquakes increase, and then there’s a short period—maybe an hour—when the magma breaks through the surface. After that, the earthquakes calm down, but the eruption doesn’t stop right away. It continues slowly for about a month, sending out lava under the sea.
Even though all of this sounds scary, scientists want people to know that there’s no danger to humans. The volcano is far from the shore and very deep underwater. William Chadwick said that even if you were in a boat floating right above the volcano when it erupts, you probably wouldn’t even feel anything. There would be no explosion, no huge waves, and no visible signs on the surface.
Mike Poland, another scientist who studies volcanoes, especially in places like Yellowstone, said the Axial Seamount is fascinating because of how active it is. But he also confirmed that it doesn’t really threaten people or towns. Scientists will keep watching it carefully, but for now, they believe there is no reason to worry. The eruption, if it happens, will stay deep underwater, far away from human life and cities.
