A massive underwater volcano, Axial Seamount, located nearly a mile beneath the ocean surface off the Oregon coast, is showing signs it may erupt soon, according to geologists.

Volcano on the Move

Axial Seamount sits atop the Juan de Fuca Ridge—an area where two tectonic plates are drifting apart—causing a continuous build-up of pressure. This geological hotspot is also fed by molten rock rising from deep within the Earth, making it one of the most closely monitored submarine volcanoes in the world.

Researchers at the University of Washington, who monitor the site via the Ocean Observatories Initiative Regional Cabled Array, have observed a sharp rise in seismic activity.

“We’re now seeing a couple hundred small earthquakes per day,” said marine geophysicist William Wilcock. “It could erupt later this year, early 2026—or even tomorrow. It’s completely unpredictable.”

What Happens During an Eruption

Axial’s last eruption in 2015 unleashed over 10,000 quakes in a single day. Magma flowed some 25 miles across the seafloor, forming a large caldera as the volcano’s magma chamber collapsed. These eruptions fuel hydrothermal vents, which release superheated, mineral-rich water and support unique marine ecosystems.

“Life rebounds incredibly fast after an eruption,” said Debbie Kelley, director of the Regional Cabled Array. “Within three months, marine life returns and flourishes.”