Giant Underwater Axel-Smith Volcano Delays Eruption to 2026 Near Oregon Coast
Scientists say the Axel-Smith submarine volcano, located off the Oregon coast, has postponed its eruption until 2026. Earlier, experts predicted activity in late 2025, but so far there are no signs of an impending event. The volcano lies deep beneath the water and, thanks to numerous research expeditions and sensors installed nearby, it is one of the most studied underwater calderas in the Pacific Ocean. According to IFLScience.
In This Article:
No Signs Yet of Impending Eruption as Forecast Shifts to 2026
According to researchers, the absence of the expected eruption is not surprising, because precise forecasting of volcanic activity remains a difficult task even with modern monitoring technologies. Nevertheless, scientists continue to monitor the condition of the volcano closely, because any large event could affect regional ecosystems and even trigger tsunamis.
Axel-Smith Lies 480 Kilometers West of Oregon at a Depth of 1.5 Kilometers
The submarine volcano is located about 480 kilometers west of the Oregon coast, at a depth of about 1.5 kilometers below sea level. Studying submarine geology is important for understanding the processes that shape the ocean floor and the dynamics of Earth’s magmatic activity.
Volcano Cycles May Vary, Highlighting Forecasting Challenges
Earlier, researchers assumed that the cycles of volcanic activity repeat every ten years, however new observations show that this period may change, underscoring the difficulty of accurate forecasting.
