Underwater Volcano Successfully Forecasted for the First Time

For the first time, scientists were able to successfully forecast an underwater eruption of the volcano Axial Seamount, located about 250 miles off of the Oregon coast. Axial Seamount last erupted in 1998, and scientists had predicted its next eruption for around this time by watching the buildup of magma around the volcano. Volcanoes are extremely difficult to predict, so this is a major accomplishment. Scientist predict that it was easier because of the conditions surrounding Axial Seamount, such as the thin crust and the location of the volcano, which provides a great deal of magma buildup. The scientists’ instruments were buried in the lava upon the arrival of the investigating team, and at first they thought they were in the wrong place. The eruption, which they estimate occurred in April of this year, was about three times bigger than the last eruption in 1998 and was about 1.2 miles wide. This demonstrates a significant breakthrough in the study of volcanoes as scientists have now successfully forecasted a volcanic eruption, which is a finicky thing to try to predict. Barriers to the future of foretelling volcanic eruptions include the widespread and numerous locations of volcanoes around the globe and the variety of conditions surrounding volcanoes, such as the thickness of the crust. I think that this is a very exciting and interesting concept, though it doesn’t pose much of a problem for the safety of humans any longer as we have enough warning before eruptions to evacuate cities in the event of one.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110809132234.htm