A volcano in southeastern Iran has risen about 9 centimeters in 10 months. This may sound like a small increase, but it means a lot.

A new study uses satellite data to identify the changes and claims pressure is increasing near the summit.

The volcano is Taftan. it has not erupting But new signals indicate the system is agitated and needs monitoring.

Research on Taftan Volcano

Scientists tracked the ground using InSAR, a radar method that measures ground movement from space. they used Sentinel-1 Satellites are active day and night and can be seen even through clouds.

Taftan Volcano’s uplift lasted just over 10 months and was centered near its summit. The rally has not receded, suggesting that the pressure has not yet been released.

Pablo J. Gonzalez of the Spanish National Research Council of the Institute of Natural Products and Agricultural Biology (IPNA), senior artists guide their works.

Taftan is remote and lacks ground equipment such as continuous GPS receivers. As a result, space radar It’s the best way to keep an eye on the mountain, which few people visit but which many towns border.

place of pressure

The research team modeled sources located just 1,600 to 2,070 feet (490 to 630 meters) above the Earth’s surface. This shallow level suggests the location of gas moving and collecting within the hydrothermal system where hot water and gas circulate beneath the volcano.

They tested for common causes and ruled out heavy rain or a nearby earthquake as a trigger. The signal rose and slowed down without any external influence. This matches the internal processes operating within the building.

Deeper within Taftan Volcano is a magma chamber, a large mass of molten rock underground.

Because the volcano lies more than 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) underground, the current pressure is likely due to gases above, rather than fresh magma reaching the surface.

It’s a pattern that looks like it was slowly squeezed. First the ground rose, then stabilized as new cracks opened and some gas found an exit.

The label “extinct volcano” can be misleading

Taftan Volcano is a 3,940 meter (12,927 ft) stratovolcano with rugged formations of lava and ash. It erupts through fumaroles (volcanic vents that emit gas) on the mountaintops. This indicates that the system is still running.

Part of the problem is the poor record of eruptions over the past 10,000 years. Silence on paper is not the same as a dead system in rock or gas.

Volcanoes can remain inactive for long periods of time, and then Monthly change. This is why scientists do not consider plumes only as early warning signals. They also pay attention to gas, heat, and ground motion.

Labels are helpful, but measurements are more important. The new variant is a measurement instead of a label.

magma-free bulge

One possible cause is a tight buildup of gas. rocks and crevices. As the gas pressure increases, the rock lifts slightly, and the area near the top responds first.

Another possibility is that small pulses of melt released volatiles (gases escaping from the magma) into shallow pipes at depth. These gases permeate upwards, driving pressure into the pores.

Both ideas are compatible with shallow sources and timing. The data also shows that the pace of uplift has eased as gas finds its way.

None of these require an eruption. Care must be taken because pressure requires an outlet and the route chosen is important.

Taftan Volcano Risk

The main danger in the short term is not lava flows. they are steam explosion – A steam explosion that occurs when a hot fluid evaporates into steam near the earth’s surface.

Gas explosions can briefly sting eyes, lungs, and crops downwind. The city of Kas is about 50 km (31 miles) away, so close that you can smell the sulfur when the wind blows.

“It will have to be released in some way in the future, either violently or more quietly. This study is not intended to cause panic among people. This is a wake-up call to Iranian regional authorities to designate resources to investigate this,” Gonzalez explained.

These are just warnings, not predictions. The message is: Get ready now while the mountains whisper, not scream.

What scientists want to do next

The team wants to measure gases in vents and slopes. Continuous measurement value sulfur dioxidecarbon dioxide, and water vapor levels can indicate whether pressure is rising or falling.

It also requires a rudimentary network of seismometers and GPS units to capture shaking and slow stretches. Even a modest setup provides more accurate timing and fewer blind spots.

Satellites continue to monitor. Insalis a radar method that tracks movement on the ground from space, and can flag small changes that field workers can see within days.

Officials can plan evacuation routes, create hazard maps and share simple guidance with nearby communities. Today we’ll reduce confusion when things change by putting clear instructions on paper.

Place Taftan volcano in the background

Tuftans are located where one tectonic plate slides under another. subduction zone. This setup produces magma at depth and gas-rich fluid at the top.

The volcano has two main peaks and long-lived gas vents. These features tell scientists that heat is still rising from below.

Many volcanoes around the world exhibit similar slow changes that never end in eruption. others stand up quickly After a quiet phase, quick action is required.

The bottom line is that steady, boring monitoring saves lives. Turn surprises into known problems with known reactions.

Why satellites are important here

Radar satellites can see through clouds and smoke, and it doesn’t matter whether it’s day or night. This is useful in dry, high-altitude locations where the weather is harsh and stations may fail.

Sentinel-1 It has a C-band radar that repeats passes often enough to create videos of movement. If the change is only a few inches, repeat viewing is important.

As more satellites fly, revisit times will decrease. This allows scientists to get faster updates as the situation changes.

Maximum effect is achieved when space and ground are together. Satellites scan the big picture, and instruments on the mountain add details.

Taftan Volcano and the Future

if the ground begins to sinkthe pressure was relieved and the gas found a new outlet. If the uplift continues or accelerates, the pressure will increase further, increasing the likelihood of water vapor phenomena.

If your gas reading spikes and stays high, that’s another flag. A sudden change in small earthquakes just below the summit would also cause concern.

Scientists will test whether the pipes remain tightly closed or open. The answer tells you how big the next gas pulse will be.

For those nearby, simple steps can be helpful. Understand wind patterns, keep a mask handy in case of sulfur odors, and follow official guidance.

This research Geophysical Research Letters.

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