The Axial Seamount, an underwater volcano 300 miles off the coast of Oregon, is expected to erupt this year, its first burst since 2015.

The volcano also erupted in 1998 and 2011, and the repeated eruptions established a pattern that, scientists say, indicates the mountain is due for another one this year.

Oregon State University professor Bill Chadwick told Portland’s KOIN this month that “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. So, if it’s not erupting, it’s inflating and getting ready for the next one.”

Scientists measure the rate of inflation in the seafloor around the Axial Seamount to predict when it will erupt again.

Last year, the rate of seafloor rise increased to about 25 centimeters per year. Mr. Chadwick told the TV station that “by the end of 2025 we’re almost fully reinflated to the level it was before the 2015 eruption, and the rate of inflation is pretty robust.”

A series of earthquakes also heralds a possible future volcanic eruption from the Axial Seamount. A recent spike in seismic activity occurred by the mountain, with around 800 quakes detected Monday, according to University of Washington researchers.

Researchers don’t believe people are at risk from another Axial Seamount eruption, due to how far offshore it’s located, away from major tectonic faults, and how deep underwater it is. The mountain’s summit is 4,626 feet underwater.

“If you were sitting in a boat over Axial when it erupted, you probably would never know it, unless you put a hydrophone in the water and then you might hear some sounds coming from the deep,” Mr. Chadwick told The Oregonian.

• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.