A volcano in southern Iran, long thought to be extinct for around 710,000 years, is showing signs of activity. Recent research published in Geophysical Research Letters on October 7 reveals that an area near the Taftan volcano’s summit has risen 3.5 inches (9 centimeters) between July 2023 and May 2024. This uplift is ongoing, hinting at accumulating gas pressure beneath the surface.
Pablo González, a volcanologist from the Spanish National Research Council, emphasizes the importance of monitoring the Taftan volcano closely. Historically, volcanoes are labeled as extinct if they haven’t erupted in the last 11,700 years. Given the recent uplift, González suggests it may be more accurate to consider Taftan a dormant volcano instead.
“It has to release somehow in the future, either violently or more quietly,” González told Live Science. While there’s no immediate threat of an eruption, he urges increased observation of the site.
Taftan stands at 12,927 feet (3,940 meters) and is located among a group of mountains formed by the subduction of the Arabian ocean crust under the Eurasian continent. Although the volcano has an active hydrothermal system and emits sulfurous gases, it hasn’t erupted in recorded history.
Researcher Mohammadhossein Mohammadnia discovered this uplift while examining satellite images for the first time since 2020. He initially saw no signs of activity, but reports on social media about gas emissions began flooding in last year. Residents in Khash, about 31 miles (50 kilometers) away, reported smelling these emissions.
Using satellite imagery from the European Space Agency’s Sentinel-1 mission, Mohammadnia detected a slight ground rise at Taftan’s summit. Unlike other volcanoes, Taftan lacks a GPS monitoring system due to its remote location and security issues posed by local conflicts.
Mohammadnia estimates the source of the uplift is between 1,608 to 2,067 feet (490 to 630 meters) below the surface. Although it’s challenging to pinpoint the exact cause, researchers have ruled out external influences like earthquakes or rainfall. They suspect the uplift could either stem from changes in the hydrothermal system or the movement of small amounts of magma, allowing gas to accumulate and pressurize the rocks above.
Looking ahead, González plans to collaborate with gas monitoring experts to gather more data. “This study isn’t to create fear,” he said. “It’s a call for local authorities in Iran to allocate resources for further research.”
The situation highlights the need for vigilance in areas that are considered dormant—a reminder that nature can sometimes surprise us. As we rely more on technologies like satellite monitoring, we can keep a closer watch on the earth’s shifts, addressing risks before they escalate.
For further insights on volcanic monitoring, check out this NASA article.
