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Giant underwater volcano expected to erupt in 2026/ What consequences could it bring?

2026-01-07 16:34:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Giant underwater volcano expected to erupt in 2026/ What consequences could it

One of the world's most active underwater volcanoes, Axial Seamount, located about 300 miles off the coast of Oregon, is very likely to erupt in 2026, according to new estimates from scientists.

Experts had warned that the volcano could erupt as early as late 2025, which did not happen. However, the latest data shows that the eruption is being pushed back to mid- to late 2026.

One of the most active underwater volcanoes

Axial Seamount is located in a zone of divergent tectonic plates, and is known for its intense activity. It has recorded eruptions in 1998, 2011 and 2015, while scientists do not rule out the possibility that there have been others that have not been noticed.

According to a researcher from the University of Oregon, the volcano is going through a period of increased seismicity and a continuous rise in the seafloor. This rise is due to the rise of magma beneath the seafloor and is a sign that a new eruption is approaching.

Bill Chadwick, who systematically monitors the volcano's activity, told Live Science that signs indicate an eruption could occur within the next year.

What happens in an underwater explosion?

When an eruption begins at Axial Seamount, lava flows to the ocean floor. Because of the low water temperature, the lava cools almost immediately.

This process is devastating to some nearby marine organisms, as the high temperature of the lava is lethal to them. At the same time, the heat increases the activity of hydrothermal vents, leading to the release of large amounts of hot, mineral-rich water and the creation of so-called "black smoke plumes." During an eruption, the magma chamber beneath the bottom fills and causes the volcano to swell.

Is there a risk to people?

Despite its size and activity, Axial Seamount is not considered a threat to human life. It is located at great depths and far from the coast, while its usual eruptions are limited to the seabed. /CNA





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