BY LOGAN TITTLE
Scientists have caught a new wave -- one that could help predict the eruption of underwater volcanoes--
Starting with this one off the coast of Oregon that last erupted in 1998, as seen on the BBC.
“Shimmering hot water seen coming out of an under sea volcano off the coast of Oregon. Known as Axial Seamount, this is one of the most active seamounts in the world.”
A fiery first -- The magma filled mountain is the only one of its kind to be successfully monitored through an entire eruption cycle according to Third Age. And The International Business Times tells us -- this was a pleasant surprise for scientists during a routine visit to the volcano.
“At first, the scientists were confused, and convinced they were in the wrong spot. Soon after they realized they were in the right place but the entire sea floor had morphed into something else altogether. It was then that they realized there had been an underwater explosion.”
Back in 1998, the Gazette Times says the seabed deflated 10 and a half feet after the volcano erupted. Scientists simply predicted it would erupt once it inflated back up to 1998 levels.
“Comparing measurements of the ocean floor surrounding Axial Seamount with measurements taken after the 1998 eruption, [scientists] forecast that the volcano again would erupt before 2014.”
Turns out-- they were right-- and could possibly predict other undersea volcano eruptions using the same method.
"One researcher at Columbia University notes -- 'Volcanoes are notoriously difficult to forecast, and much less is known about undersea volcanoes than those on land, so the ability to monitor Axial Seamount, and determine that it was on a path toward an impending eruption is pretty exciting.”
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