Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Underwater volcano off the U.S. coast is about to erupt

A fossilized whirl in a lava lake that was active during the April 2011 eruption of Axial Seamount
A fossilized whirl in a lava lake that was active during the April 2011 eruption of Axial Seamount (UW/OOI-NSF/WHOI; J2-980; V17)
  • The Axial Seamount, an underwater volcano off Oregon's coast, is showing signs of imminent eruption.
  • Scientists predict the eruption based on inflation of the volcano, exceeding levels seen before previous eruptions.
  • Increased seismic activity, with hundreds of daily earthquakes, further supports the prediction.
  • While the exact timing is uncertain, researchers anticipate a significant eruption impacting the surrounding marine ecosystem.
  • Underwater volcanoes create unique habitats but can also cause ocean acidification, posing a threat to marine life.
In full

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in