Context:

Axial Seamount, an underwater volcano located off the coast of Oregon, is showing signs of an impending eruption due to increased seismic activity, as the frequency of earthquakes has risen dramatically. Situated on the Juan de Fuca Ridge, this volcano is influenced by the movement of tectonic plates and the gravitational forces of the moon. Despite its potential eruption, the impact on marine life is expected to be minimal, with previous eruptions demonstrating rapid ecosystem recovery. Axial Seamount's eruptions are not explosive, making them ideal for scientific observation and even public livestreaming, providing unique insights into seafloor volcanic activity. The timing of its eruptions appears to correlate with Earth's movement away from the sun, although the exact reasons for this pattern remain unclear to scientists.

Dive Deeper:

• Axial Seamount is located nearly a mile underwater on the Juan de Fuca Ridge, where tectonic plate movements cause pressure buildup, leading to increased seismic activity and potential volcanic eruptions.

• The volcano's recent uptick in earthquake frequency indicates an upcoming eruption, with past eruptions involving thousands of small-scale earthquakes and extensive magma flows across the seafloor.

• Debbie Kelley highlights the resilience of marine ecosystems, noting that life quickly returns to hydrothermal vents after being scorched by lava flows, showcasing the thriving biodiversity in these extreme environments.

• Unlike land volcanoes, Axial Seamount's eruptions are not explosive due to the pressure from the overlying seawater, which dampens the magnitude of volcanic events, resulting in minimal impact on surrounding marine life and no noticeable effects on land.

• Observations of Axial Seamount have revealed a peculiar pattern, where eruptions occur between January and April, possibly linked to the gravitational influence of the moon and Earth's seasonal positioning relative to the sun.

• The volcano's relatively mild eruptions present an opportunity for close scientific observation, with plans to livestream future eruptions to the public, offering a rare glimpse into the processes shaping Earth's seafloor.

• The gravitational pull of the moon causes ocean tides to fluctuate, impacting the pressure on the seafloor and potentially triggering more frequent earthquakes, which gradually bring the magma chamber to a critical point for eruption.