Gas Emissions from the Semi-Active Taftan Volcano
WANA (Oct 20) – The recent emission of gas and vapor from the crater of Mount Taftan has once again drawn attention to one of Iran’s most significant volcanoes — a semi-active peak whose ongoing geothermal activity highlights the country’s position within the Alpine–Himalayan volcanic belt.
Iran sits atop one of the world’s most dynamic tectonic zones, stretching from southern Europe to Southeast Asia. The collision between the Arabian and Eurasian plates has created the Zagros and Alborz mountain ranges and a chain of dormant and semi-active volcanoes scattered across the country.
According to data from the Geological Survey of Iran, more than fifteen volcanoes have been identified nationwide, extending from the northwest to the southeast. Among them, three volcanoes — Damavand, Sabalan, and Taftan — show the greatest geothermal potential.
Mount Damavand, the highest peak in Iran at 5,610 meters, last erupted about 10,000 years ago. The release of sulfur gases and the presence of hot springs around Larijan indicate ongoing fumarolic activity beneath its surface.
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Mount Sabalan, rising over 4,800 meters in Ardabil Province, also exhibits subsurface thermal activity, as evidenced by the hot springs of Sarein and Meshginshahr. This geothermal potential has made Sabalan a promising site for clean energy exploration.
But it is Mount Taftan, in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, that remains the only semi-active volcano in Iran — a living reminder of the Earth’s heat still at work beneath the country’s southeast. Standing roughly 4,050 meters high, Taftan is a stratovolcano of andesitic composition with two main peaks, Narkooh and Madekooh. In recent years, gas emissions from Madekooh’s crater have once again attracted scientific interest.
Taftan: The Living Volcano of Southeastern Iran
According to Dr. Mehdi Zare, professor at the International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology, “Taftan is one of Iran’s semi-active volcanoes and showed notable activity between 1970 and 1971.”
Dr. Zare explains that Taftan is part of the Makran volcanic arc, a structure formed by the subduction of the Arabian oceanic plate beneath the Iranian Plateau. Along with Mount Bazman in Iran and Mount Sultan in Pakistan, Taftan marks a chain of geothermal activity extending across the southeastern region.
Mount Taftan. Social Media / WANA News Agency
“The more active crater lies in Madekooh,” Zare notes, “where high-temperature fumaroles release gases through multiple cracks and fissures around the rim. Locals often see these emissions as yellowish-white plumes rising from the mountain.”
These gases consist primarily of water vapor, sulfur dioxide, and carbon dioxide. Their yellow hue is caused by the deposition of sulfur around the vents. Some fumaroles reach nearly one meter in diameter and may emit a faint glow at night due to thermal activity.
Historical Activity and Geothermal Evidence
Historical records of Taftan’s eruptions are limited, but notable events occurred in 1902, 1970, and 1993. Observers described “dense smoke and a nighttime glow” from the volcano during one of these episodes. Later studies indicated that the 1993 event involved molten sulfur rather than true lava flow.
According to Zare, Taftan is likely part of an active geothermal system. The numerous hot springs surrounding the volcano are direct evidence of sustained heat beneath the surface. Geothermal analyses indicate that temperatures a few kilometers underground remain significantly higher than average, suggesting strong potential for future geothermal energy development in the region.
Taftan Volcano. Social Media / WANA News Agency
Continuous Monitoring: The Key to Understanding Volcanic Behavior
Although there are currently no signs of an imminent eruption in Iran, experts warn that continuous monitoring of gas emissions, crater temperature, and local seismic activity is crucial. Experiences from countries such as Japan and Indonesia show that even minor changes in gas pressure or underground tremors can rapidly awaken dormant volcanoes.
As Dr. Zare emphasizes, “At present, Taftan is Iran’s only semi-active volcano, and consistent observation is essential to understanding its long-term behavior and mitigating potential hazards.”
The Silent Breath of the Earth
In its apparent stillness, Mount Taftan remains a vivid symbol of the Earth’s inner vitality beneath southeastern Iran. The plumes of vapor rising from its crater are not harbingers of danger but reminders that Iran lies on living ground — part of a vast, restless geological belt that continues to breathe beneath the surface of the Alpine–Himalayan mountains.
