Scientists are predicting that a colossal underwater volcano, the Axial Seamount, could be on the verge of eruption. Located about 300 miles off the Oregon coast in the US, this mammoth volcano is over a mile long, stands 1,000 meters tall and lies less than a mile beneath the Pacific Ocean's surface. Signs of activity such as rumbling and swelling have been detected, leading scientists to believe that an eruption could be imminent. "This particular volcano is probably the best-monitored submarine volcano in the world," said Mike Poland from the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory, as reported by the Cowboy State Daily.

Despite the potential eruption, experts aren't overly worried. Poland described the volcano as "fascinating " but reassured that it "doesn't really pose a hazard". READ MORE: American Airlines pilots made last-minute heroic attempt to save passengers but it was too late. The Axial Seamount is a shield volcano, similar to Mauna Loa in Hawaii, the world's most active volcano. Shield volcanoes typically produce runny lava flows that result in gentle slopes, hence their name due to their resemblance to a shield lying on the ground. "When Axial Seamount erupts, it'll look a lot like a Hawaiian lava flow eruption. It's not an explosive eruption, but calm effusions of lava flowing out of the caldera and across the seafloor," Poland explained.

Bill Chadwick, Research Associate at Oregon State University, anticipates that we may have to wait until the end of 2025 for the eruption, reports the Express US. In an interview with KOIN 6 News, a BS affiliate, he shared: "Because it's had these three eruptions in the last 30 years, that's why we call it the most active volcano in the Pacific Northwest, because most of the ones on land aren't active that frequently, and they spend a lot of their time slumbering, whereas Axial has a pretty active magma supply.".

The Axial Seamount, notorious for its eruptions in 1998, 2011, and 2015, is under close watch. Chadwick added: "So, if it's not erupting, it's inflating and getting ready for the next one. And so that's why we're kind of monitoring what's happening to it all the time.". He explained the phenomenon by saying: "The balloon keeps getting bigger and bigger. And at some point, the pressure becomes too great and the magma forces open a crack, flowing to the surface. When that happens, the seafloor subsides as the 'balloon' deflates.".

With increased seismic activity detected near the volcano, there's heightened interest in its behaviour. However, due to the nature of shield volcanoes and the deep Pacific Ocean's pressure, Chadwick assured that there is no threat to human life from this underwater behemoth's potential eruption. Chadwick revealed to KOIN 6 News: "If you were out there on a ship right over the seamount, you would never know anything was happening unless you dangled a hydrophone, an underwater microphone, into the water, then you might be hearing some commotion from down deep. But there's no effect at the surface.".