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At the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, about 480 kilometers from the coast of Oregon, an underwater giant named Axial Seamount shows worrying signs of activity. Although hidden under the waves, this volcano draws the attention of scientists from around the world. Hundreds of small earthquakes, sometimes up to 300 a day, reveal that the magma is boiling below the surface. This intense activity raises many questions about what could happen if this volcano were erupting. Let’s take a closer look at the implications of these tremors and what experts say about them.
Should we be afraid of these tremors?
A first question arises: do the tremors felt at the bottom of the ocean represent a danger to us? Fortunately, the answer is no. The recorded earthquakes are of a magnitude of 1 or 2, which is far too low to be perceived on the surface. However, Professor William Wilcock, who studies this volcano, underlines that if Axial Seamount was on earth, the inhabitants would have already been evacuated. This shows the magnitude of the underwater activity, even if it does not constitute a direct threat. The importance of this activity lies in its ability to alert on a potential major underwater rash, a situation which, fortunately, takes place far from the inhabited areas.
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How does the volcano prepare to eruption?
The process that takes place underwater is fascinating. Imagine the volcano like a huge cauldron. Inside, a magma pocket gradually fills up, causing swelling of the volcanic structure. This phenomenon, called “inflation”, generates pressures which fracture the surrounding rock, thus creating the observed earthquakes. In 2015, during the last eruption, this swelling was fast. Today, the volcano swells about twenty centimeters a year. Professor Wilcock describes this behavior as “very erratic”, making forecasts more difficult. This unpredictability is a challenge for scientists who try to determine the precise moment of a potential eruption.
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A little return to the last anger of the volcano
To better understand what could happen, let’s examine the eruption of 2015. At the time, the number of earthquakes had exploded, reaching up to 2000 per day. When the eruption occurred, it was spectacular: the lava sprang from the ocean background, forming flows more than 130 meters thick. This phenomenon has also created unique formations called “cushion lavas”. The eruption caused around 8,000 earthquakes and resulted in the ocean background of almost 2.5 meters. These events testify to the power of the Seamount axial volcano and the transformations that an eruption can cause in the underwater environment.
So, for when is the next eruption planned?
The forecast of the next eruption remains uncertain. Volcanoes have the reputation of surprising, and it is no exception. According to the calculations of scientists, an eruption could occur between July 2026 and May 2027. At that time, the number of earthquakes could reach impressive levels, up to 10,000 in a day. Another possibility is that the lava escapes by a lateral crack, a scenario that would more complicate forecasts. This uncertainty underlines how crucial continuous monitoring is to anticipate future events.
Why monitor a volcano so far from us?
One could legitimately wonder why it is important to monitor a volcano that does not represent an immediate threat. The answer lies in the scientific opportunity it offers. Axial Seamount serves as a natural laboratory to understand the volcanic mechanisms. The knowledge acquired here can be applied to more dangerous volcanoes, such as Mount Rainier, which overlooks areas populated like Seattle. By studying this isolated volcano, scientists develop tools to predict and manage the eruptions of terrestrial volcanoes, thus protecting human communities. What other lesson could we learn from the observation of this silent submarine giant?
This article is based on verified sources and the assistance of editorial technologies.
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