'2025’s fiery warning': Two restless volcanoes could disrupt Earth’s balance
Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
Eruption Concerns
Yellowstone and Axial Seamount are making headlines in 2025 due to increased activity, fueling speculation about possible eruptions.
Yellowstone’s History
Yellowstone last erupted 640,000 years ago, leaving a massive crater and spreading volcanic ash across the U.S.
Magma Depth
Scientists estimate Yellowstone's magma lies 4 to 47 kilometers below the surface, with reservoirs dispersed rather than concentrated.
Geophysical Insights
A U.S. Geological Survey, led by Ninfa Bennington and published in Nature, confirmed less magma than expected in Yellowstone's underground reservoirs.
Seamount Rising
Axial Seamount, a 2-km-wide underwater volcano, shows signs of an imminent eruption, with its surface swelling to pre-2015 levels.
Predictive Success
Oregon State University researchers predicted Axial's 2015 eruption by monitoring seafloor cable data, an approach being refined for 2025 forecasts.
Credit: University of Washington
AI Analysis
Scientists like Valerio Acocella are incorporating artificial intelligence to detect patterns in volcanic activity and enhance prediction accuracy.
Nature’s Risks
While patterns help forecast eruptions, Acocella warns of the unpredictable nature of volcanoes, which can defy expectations.
Representative pic
Eruption Likelihood
Yellowstone's eruption remains extremely unlikely in 2025, but Axial Seamount’s activity signals a higher probability of eruption this year.