Overview
- Peer-reviewed research in Geophysical Research Letters reports Taftan’s southeastern summit rose about 9 centimeters between July 2023 and May 2024.
- ESA Sentinel-1 InSAR data revealed the deformation and showed no subsequent deflation, indicating persistent pressurization beneath the summit.
- Modeling places the source of the uplift roughly 490 to 630 meters below the surface, consistent with gas buildup or a small, undetected magma intrusion.
- Authors ruled out heavy rainfall and significant regional earthquakes as triggers, noting prior ground movement was negligible from 2015 to 2020 and minor through mid-2023.
- With no on-site GPS network and recent local reports of sulfur-related health impacts near Khash, researchers urge expanded ground monitoring and hazard-mitigation planning.