A massive underwater volcano, known as Axial Seamount, is situated approximately 300 miles off the coast of Oregon and is currently on the verge of erupting, according to scientists. For the first time, members of the public can witness this geological activity live through a newly installed camera feed. Researchers from Oregon State University have been closely monitoring Axial Seamount, which is located on the Juan de Fuca Ridge, a highly active geological region in the Pacific Northwest.

Axial Seamount holds the distinction of being the most active volcano in the area. Recent data indicates that the volcano's magma chamber is inflating rapidly, a phenomenon that has been aptly likened to a balloon filling before it bursts. This inflation is concerning, especially in light of the events that unfolded during the volcano's last significant eruption in 2015.

During the 2015 eruption, Axial Seamount unleashed a dramatic display of volcanic force, triggering nearly 8,000 undersea earthquakes. The eruption released lava flows that reached hundreds of feet in thickness, and it caused a collapse of the seafloor by approximately eight feet. This significant event marked a pivotal moment in the way scientists observe underwater volcanic activity. It was made possible by an array of advanced monitoring instruments, including pressure sensors and high-definition video cameras, all part of the Ocean Observations Initiative.

William Chadwick, a geophysicist and volcanologist at Oregon State University, observed that Axial Seamount is “at or almost at that inflation threshold” that was detected prior to the 2015 eruption. He expressed concern that “we think it’s ready” for another eruption. Satellite imagery and data from various sensors indicate that the seafloor above Axial has swelled to nearly the same levels as it did just before the previous eruption.

To facilitate real-time monitoring of this underwater event, scientists have set up a live camera feed that provides daily livestreams of the volcano, accessible through the Interactive Oceans website. The camera focuses on a remarkable 14-foot-tall hydrothermal structure known as “Mushroom,” which is located in the ASHES vent field on the western flank of Axial. This particular vent is positioned atop an ancient lava flow and is surrounded by white bacterial mats and tube worms—clear indicators of ongoing hydrothermal activity and the warming fluids seeping through the cracks in the basalt rock.

Chadwick further explained that the behavior of Axial Seamount is reminiscent of volcanic activity observed in Hawaii. He noted that such volcanoes typically experience a gradual buildup of pressure between eruptions, causing them to inflate like a balloon. He highlighted that at Axial, the actual rising of the seafloor serves as a major signal of potential eruption.

In recent weeks, there has been a marked increase in seismic activity beneath the volcano, suggesting that magma is pushing up with increasing intensity. The current rate of underwater earthquakes stands at several hundred each day, but experts anticipate that this could surge to as many as 10,000 within a 24-hour period once the eruption commences.

Chadwick and his team first detected these concerning shifts in November 2024. They noted that the rate of seafloor swelling began to accelerate again after a period of relative dormancy. A study published in 2024 described the volcano as having “suddenly woken up,” characterized by rapid changes in its shape and internal pressure dynamics.

If an eruption takes place, it is expected to release over a billion cubic feet of highly fluid lava, which scientists estimate would weigh millions of tons. Some of these lava flows could potentially reach heights comparable to Seattle’s iconic Space Needle.

Despite the immense scale of the potential eruption, experts have reassured the public that it poses no threat to coastal communities. The volcano's location is far offshore and deep beneath the ocean, mitigating any risks to humans or land-based seismic activity. Importantly, this expected eruption offers a unique opportunity for scientists to observe a submarine eruption in near-real time. Axial Seamount is now regarded as the "best-monitored submarine volcano in the world," enabling researchers to gain unprecedented insights into the behavior and evolution of underwater eruptions.