Taftan’s Quiet Reawakening

A mountain that most people had stopped thinking about is quietly reshaping itself. High in southeastern Iran, not far from Pakistan’s border, Taftan is showing signs of life after what seems like hundreds of thousands of years of silence. For decades, it was treated as a relic of an ancient geological past, a place known for warm springs and wisps of steam but nothing that suggested deeper movement. Now, for the first time in recent memory, satellite data is telling a different story. Taftan is lifting, heating, and breathing in ways that point to activity beneath the surface. 

The changes are subtle, but for a volcano long assumed dormant beyond concern, they are enough to draw the attention of scientists across the region. For neighbouring Pakistan, these early signals raise important questions about how well we understand the tectonic forces that shape the Makran arc, a geologically complex and historically active corridor. 

Taftan rises from the landscape as part of the Makran subduction zone, where the Arabian Plate sinks beneath the Eurasian Plate. This region is best known for its earthquakes, offshore trench system, and the threat of tsunamis. Its volcanic features, however, have historically been understudied because of the difficult terrain and sparse population. For years, steam vents and geothermal features around Taftan were viewed as background geological noise, suggesting old residual heat rather than an active system. The relative isolation of the region has meant that detailed field studies are rare, and much of what is known comes from sporadic observations or historical records. 

That perception shifted when researchers analysed InSAR imagery collected between mid-2023 and mid-2024. Radar measurements showed that Taftan’s summit had risen by nearly nine centimetres, and what surprised scientists even more was that the uplift did not reverse. A Geoengineer report outlined how this uplift pattern matched the early signs of volcanic unrest. Pakistan Today also reported that researchers have reclassified Taftan as dormant rather than extinct, emphasizing the significance of the deformation signal. 

One of the most intriguing findings is the depth of the deformation. The pressure appears to be coming from a shallow zone—only a few hundred metres beneath the summit—rather than the main magma chamber deep underground. This points to a combination of rising gases, hydrothermal fluids, or a small pulse of magma navigating through weakened pathways. Thermal imagery supports this conclusion. Satellites detected areas around the summit that were warmer than in previous years, and field visitors noted stronger fumarole emissions. Vents have always existed at Taftan, but increased output typically indicates that the hydrothermal system is being stirred from within. NASA’s thermal monitoring programs provide continuous global datasets, helping track these subtle changes. 

Researchers cross-checked rainfall patterns, erosion trends, and regional seismicity, but none of these external factors explained the observed uplift. This made internal geological processes the most plausible explanation. Unfortunately, Taftan lacks a modern monitoring network. Most insights depend on satellite tools such as ESA’s Sentinel-1 InSAR system, which is useful but cannot replace direct ground measurements. Establishing even a modest network of ground-based sensors could dramatically improve understanding of Taftan’s behaviour, capturing tremors, gas emissions, and subtle surface changes in real time. 

While Taftan’s activity is contained within Iran, the implications extend to Pakistan because both countries sit on the same tectonic corridor. The Makran arc has produced major geological events before, including the powerful 1945 earthquake documented by the USGS. Even a minor ash release or increase in sulphur-rich gases could drift across the border into western Pakistan depending on wind conditions, affecting air quality, agriculture, and water sources. These subtle changes can have real impacts on local communities, particularly those that rely on livestock or crops sensitive to ash and chemical deposits. Awareness of the volcano’s behaviour allows for early mitigation, such as preparing emergency water reserves or adjusting grazing routes. 

Improving monitoring would make the situation far clearer. Even a modest set of seismic stations could detect tremors associated with magma movement. GPS units would help track deformation in real time, and Multi Gas sensors could reveal whether emissions are rising or stabilising. These tools are not expensive, and many remote volcanoes around the world use compact, solar-powered devices to collect crucial data. Satellite tracking should continue regardless, because it remains the most reliable method for observing wide, isolated terrains. Combining satellite and ground-based data would allow scientists to distinguish between routine geothermal activity and potential precursors to eruptions. 

Cooperation is another missing piece. Geological studies in the Makran region remain divided across national boundaries, even though tectonic processes do not follow those lines. Iran and Pakistan share the same subduction system, so shared scientific platforms, data exchange, and joint hazard assessments would help build a fuller picture. International institutions, including the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program, can also contribute by integrating new data into global models. Increased collaboration could include joint field studies, training for local scientists, and shared early-warning systems for nearby communities. 

The Makran subduction zone itself is an area of global interest. It links the seismic activity of the Arabian Sea with continental tectonics, and its movements influence both seismic and volcanic hazards. Understanding how small shifts in one section might affect other segments can help predict the timing and scale of future eruptions or earthquakes. In this context, Taftan serves as a natural laboratory for studying shallow magma pulses, hydrothermal activity, and how dormant volcanoes behave after long periods of quiescence. 

For border-region communities, awareness is more valuable than alarm. Most volcanoes that show renewed uplift do not erupt immediately. Many experience years of internal adjustments before settling again. Knowing which signs matter—stronger sulphur smells, sudden ash traces, persistent tremors—helps residents recognise unusual patterns early. Local governments can strengthen communication systems, so accurate information reaches people quickly, avoiding rumours or unnecessary panic. Preparedness here is about reducing the unknowns, not expecting disaster. Engaging local schools, community leaders, and media outlets in education about volcanic hazards can further strengthen resilience. 

Worldwide examples reinforce this point. Mount St. Helens in the United States showed unexpected activity after years of calm, documented by the USGS. Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull erupted after decades of quiet, demonstrating how even moderate eruptions can disrupt global systems—NASA’s imagery captured the scale of its ash plume. Japan’s Sakurajima volcano provides another example of persistent activity that rarely escalates into large eruptions yet requires constant monitoring to safeguard nearby populations. These cases do not mean Taftan is on a similar path, but they show how improved monitoring can reveal long-hidden processes inside volcanoes once thought inactive. 

Taftan’s behaviour is not a reason to worry, but it is a reason to pay attention. Ground that rises by a few centimetres, vents that release a little more heat, and gases that shift in composition may not make headlines, yet these are the quiet ways a volcano communicates long before anything dramatic happens. Ignoring these signals would mean repeating past mistakes. With better monitoring, shared data, and consistent observation, countries along the Makran arc can understand Taftan on its own timeline instead of reacting on short notice. The mountain may stay peaceful for generations, but its recent stirrings offer a valuable opportunity: a chance to strengthen readiness before nature demands it.