This underwater volcano off Oregon Coast is set to erupt in 2025: What to know
The Axial Seamount volcano is located nearly a mile beneath the sea approximately 300 miles off the Oregon Coast, just west of Astoria and along the Juan de Fuca Ridge.
The volcanic activity the Axial Seamount has recently displayed has scientists on their toes as it may be due for another eruption soon.
The underwater volcano has experienced three eruptions in the last 30 years, the most recent ones happening in 2011 and 2015.
According to USA Today, the volcano has 'erupted about 50 times over the last 800 years, about once every 15 years on average.'
Here's what to know.
Researchers at Oregon State University's Hatfield Marine Science Center are monitoring the Axial Seamount's activity in real time by using approximately 660 miles of undersea cables. Known as the Regional Cabled Array, it uses more than 140 instruments to constantly monitor activity.
Bill Chadwick, a volcanologist and research professor at OSU, said their observations have revealed a pattern.
'It's at or almost at that inflation threshold where it erupted last time. So, we think it's ready to erupt,' Chadwick told KGW earlier this year, adding its activity has picked up in the last year.
The pattern Chadwick spoke of shows rises in the seafloor that indicate magma is slowly accumulating and moving beneath the volcano's surface, causing an increased number of small earthquakes.
Even if the Axial Seamount volcano erupts this year, there is no danger to people.
While it is said the eruption could cause a series of small earthquakes, they aren't likely to be felt on land due to the volcano's depth and how far offshore it is.
The lava flows that come from Axial Seamount will have no effect on the surface of the ocean either and will only reshape the seafloor.
If the researcher's predictions come true, the underwater volcano will provide a better understanding of how to predict volcanic eruptions.
Ginnie Sandoval is the Oregon Connect reporter for the Statesman Journal. Sandoval can be reached at GSandoval@gannett.com or on X at @GinnieSandoval.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Underwater volcano off Oregon Coast predicted to erupt in 2025
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indianapolis Star
a day ago
- Indianapolis Star
Woman finds massive tooth from this prehistoric creature on a Florida beach
A woman discovered a rare shark tooth in Florida, offering a glimpse into prehistoric times. Nicole Mercuri, 26, was walking along a Florida beach when she says she spotted a giant tooth that once belonged to a Megalodon, a massive prehistoric shark that roamed the ocean millions of years ago. She was absolutely "ecstatic" about the rare find. "There is no way I just found this," Mercuri said in a video she posted to Instagram. Mercuri, who lives on the west coast of Florida, immediately pulled out her phone and began recording herself when she spotted the tooth and dug it out of the sand. "I was like so shocked and I just freaked out over it," Mercuri told USA TODAY. "I was just like 'Oh my God, Oh my God!'" The tooth is 3 inches wide and nearly 5 inches long. While Mercuri did find the tooth in Florida, she did not specify which beach it was found on. Mercuri found her first Megalodon tooth in 2024, but couldn't record her reaction because she didn't have her phone with her. "It's in the glass case right now," she said. "I still have it with the other one that I found recently." Mercuri has been hunting shark teeth for six years. She started off looking for teeth, and then became interested in hunting shells as well. "I go to the beach a lot, do a lot of shark tooth hunting in the area, shell hunting," said Mercuri. "I have a lot of fun with that, so that's kind of like my main hobby that I do around in this area." Her room now looks like the beach because of how many shells she's found, she said. The oldest Megalodon fossils date back to 23 million years ago, according to the Museum of Natural History. The prehistoric shark ruled the seas before it went extinct around 3.6 million years ago. The sharks don't have skeletons similar to those of other prehistoric creatures, such as a T. rex. Since its "bones" were made of cartilage, its body couldn't preserve itself as well as its teeth. And, while rare, those teeth are massive. The extinct predator could have been 50 to 60 feet long, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History. And, just like its body, its teeth were massive, too. The shark's teeth, which look like serrated knives shaped like triangles, can be up to 7 inches long, according to the museum. More discoveries: Archeologists find 1880 shipwreck while searching for a different one Mercuri advises anyone who wants to start hunting for shark teeth and fossils to begin by joining a Facebook group for fossil hunters. "Talk to people about maybe they can give you like advice for it," Mercuri said. "You know there are beaches, there are places in Florida you can find fossils or any cool shells. You just got to trust in yourself." Fossil hunters should also plan to travel on their own. They can't just wait for the opportunity to come. "You've got to do it yourself. That way you can find what you're looking for."
USA Today
2 days ago
- USA Today
Woman finds massive tooth from this prehistoric creature on a Florida beach
A woman discovered a rare shark tooth in Florida, offering a glimpse into prehistoric times. Nicole Mercuri, 26, was walking along a Florida beach when she spotted a giant tooth that once belonged to a Megalodon, a massive prehistoric shark that roamed the ocean millions of years ago. She was absolutely "ecstatic" about the rare find. "There is no way I just found this," Mercuri said in a video she posted to Instagram. Mercuri, who lives on the west coast of Florida, immediately pulled out her phone and began recording herself when she spotted the tooth and dug it out of the sand. "I was like so shocked and I just freaked out over it," Mercuri told USA TODAY. "I was just like 'Oh my God, Oh my God!'" The tooth is 3 inches wide and nearly 5 inches long. While Mercuri did find the tooth in Florida, she did not specify which beach it was found on. Second Megalodon tooth discovery Mercuri found her first Megalodon tooth in 2024, but couldn't record her reaction because she didn't have her phone with her. "It's in the glass case right now," she said. "I still have it with the other one that I found recently." Mercuri has been hunting for shark teeth for six years. She started off looking for teeth, and then became interested in hunting for shells as well. "I go to the beach a lot, do a lot of shark tooth hunting in the area, shell hunting," said Mercuri. "I have a lot of fun with that, so that's kind of like my main hobby that I do around in this area." Her room now looks like the beach because of how many shells she's found, she said. A post shared by 𝒩𝒾𝓀𝓀𝒾 🌺 (@nikkitheasian) What were Megalodons? How big were they? The oldest Megalodon fossils date back to 23 million years ago, according to the Museum of Natural History. The prehistoric shark ruled the seas before it went extinct around 3.6 million years ago. The sharks don't have skeletons similar to those of other prehistoric creatures, such as a T. rex. Since its "bones" were made of cartilage, its body couldn't preserve itself as well as its teeth. And, while rare, those teeth are massive. The extinct predator could have been 50 to 60 feet long, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History. And, just like its body, its teeth were massive, too. The shark's teeth, which look like serrated knives shaped like triangles, can be up to 7 inches long, according to the museum. More discoveries: Archeologists find 1880 shipwreck while searching for a different one Advice for beginner fossil hunters Mercuri advises anyone who wants to start hunting for shark teeth and fossils to begin by joining a Facebook group for fossil hunters. "Talk to people about maybe they can give you like advice for it," Mercuri said. "You know there are beaches, there are places in Florida you can find fossils or any cool shells. You just got to trust in yourself." Fossil hunters should also plan to travel on their own. They can't just wait for the opportunity to come. "You've got to do it yourself. That way you can find what you're looking for." Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn,X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@
USA Today
2 days ago
- USA Today
Far from extinction, fireflies seem to be thriving in summer 2025
Rainy, damp weather along the eastern United States in summer 2025 has one upside: Fireflies love it. "Fireflies and their prey (snails, slugs, worms) need moisture, so years with high rainfall, particularly in the spring, can boost populations of fireflies in the summer," said Candace Fallon, a conservation biologist with the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. And warm, humid nights of 70 degrees or warmer are ideal for seeing the flashing lights that evoke nostalgia for many Americans, Virginia Tech entomologist Eric Day told USA TODAY. It's hard to know for sure, but it appears that the whimsical bugs are indeed thriving in some areas. What is known: Fears of fireflies' imminent demise are misplaced, Day said. 'I would say fireflies are threatened due to habitat loss, but they are not going extinct, as some are adapting in different regions,' Day said. Indeed, of the 175 species of fireflies in the US, only 18 of are "threatened" with extinction, said Fallon. So while it's not good news for those few species, overall, "I don't think we're going to lose fireflies in our lifetimes," she told USA TODAY. Are firefly populations up in summer 2025? Fallon said in an email to USA TODAY that "from anecdotal reports, it does appear that at least the Midwest and Northeast are seeing record numbers of fireflies." She added that "we have heard from several areas of the country that folks are seeing an increase in fireflies this year, while in other regions we're been hearing the opposite." Day agreed, noting that it all depends on location, with rural areas typically seeing more fireflies while urban and suburban areas seeing fewer. Why do people care about fireflies? Whether you call them fireflies or lightning bugs, these illuminated insects are a sure sign of lazy, hot summer evenings. Many remember the thrill of running after them as a kid, trying to capture them in glass jars. "Fireflies evoke memories for people," Day told USA TODAY. "They harken back to our childhoods, reminding us of other times." "They're one of the most pleasant insects to come across... it a good thing to see fireflies," he added. Are fireflies a threatened or endangered species? Day said that generally, the answer to that is yes in urban areas, but to a lesser extent in rural areas. Fallon explained further: "While there are currently no listed firefly species under the US Endangered Species Act, one species (the Bethany Beach firefly) has been proposed for listing as a threatened species, and two others (the Florida intertidal firefly and Southwest spring firefly) are under review for listing." Overall, threatened firefly species are found in 16 states, all the way from Arizona to New York (see map below). As well, Fallon said two additional species have been petitioned (the mysterious lantern firefly and the loopy five firefly) but the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has not yet published 90-day findings on those species (in which they determine whether a full review for listing is warranted), Fallon explained. What are the main threats to fireflies? According to Fallon, "firefly populations are threatened by habitat loss and degradation, light pollution (which makes it difficult for fireflies to communicate with one another), pesticide use (which can kill them or their prey, or damage their habitat), and climate change (including drought, sea level rise, and storms)." How might climate change impact fireflies? "Because fireflies require moisture, drought related to climate change is a leading threat to fireflies, particularly in the arid West," Fallon told USA TODAY. "In some places, streams that were once perennial have now dried up, and in other areas, marshy areas and other wetlands have also disappeared. These once-perennial water sources are hugely important to fireflies, and their loss can lead to the loss of local populations." Fallon added that on the East Coast, sea-level rise and increased storm surges are having negative impacts on fireflies. In many coastal areas, firefly habitat is already hemmed in by human development on one side and the ocean on the other. As sea level rises, these habitat patches are disappearing. "In the case of increased severity and frequency of storm surges, the inundation of firefly habitats with saltwater can increase the salinity of a site, changing its vegetative makeup and making it uninhabitable for fireflies," Fallon said.
