We tested the feasibility of using finite difference methods to model seismic propagation at ~10 Hz through a two-dimensional representation of an axial magma chamber with a thin, liquid lid. Our technique produces time series of displacement or pressure at seafloor receivers to mimic a seismic refraction experiment and snapshots of P and S energy propagation. The results indicate that our implementation is stable for models with sharp velocity contrasts and complex geometries. We observe a high-energy, down-traveling shear phase, observable only with borehole receivers, that would be useful in studying the nature and shape of magma chambers. The ability of finite difference methods to model high-order wave phenomena makes this method ideal for testing velocity models of spreading axes and for planning near-axis drilling of the East Pacific Rise in order to optimize the benefits from shear wave imaging of sub-axis structure. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1990