Click on images for larger versions. (B is a detail of A.)
Axial Volcano is located on the
Juan de Fuca Ridge at about 46ºN, 130ºW. The
Cobb-Eickelberg seamount chain intersects the Juan de Fuca Ridge axis
(Delaney et al., 1981). The volcano is elongate with a summit region between two rift zones that extend north and south. The summit is characterized by a horseshoe-shaped caldera (3 x 8 kilometers) that is open towards the southeast. Hydrothermal vents and deposits are common inside the caldera (e.g., Embley and Chadwick, 1994). An eruption took place on the southeastern edge of the caldera in 1998 (Embley et al., 1999). Numerous previous surveys of Axial Volcano (e.g., Embley et al., 1990; Applegate, 1990; Applegate and Embley, 1992) and continued monitoring efforts by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have provided great detail about the geology and activity of the volcano.
More information about NOAA monitoring is available at: http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/vents/nemo/index.html .
More background on Axial Volcano is available at: http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/vents/geology/axial.html .
The survey presented here is the highest-resolution, best-navigated survey of this feature and provides a base for measuring future changes in the volcano. The survey was already used with previous surveys to define the location and size of the 1998 eruption on the upper part of the south rift (Embley et. al., 1999).
For more information, or for the full data set on CD-ROM, email cdrom@mbari.org.
Axial Volcano perspective views
From the southeast  Large image |
From the south Large image |
| Index Map | Axial Volcano | Gorda Ridge | Cleft Segment | Taney Seamounts |
| Guide, Gumdrop, Pioneer Seamounts | Mendocino Fracture Zone | President Jackson Seamount | Davidson Seamount | Vance Seamounts |