Work

Spontaneous Transient Summit Uplift at Taftan Volcano (Makran Subduction Arc) Imaged Using an InSAR Common‐Mode Filtering Method

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We unambiguously document unrest at Taftan volcano. Summit uplift was detected using Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar time series and its timing tightly constrained applying a new common mode filtering method. Uplift started and ended gradually lasting 10 months (July 2023 to May 2024). Uplift peaked at 11 cm/year rates, and during slowing‐down several gas emission events occurred. Unrest was triggerless, uncorrelated with rainfall or seismic events. We favor internal driving processes with two possible scenarios: (a) dynamic hydrothermal alteration leading to permeability changes, shallow gas storage and pressurization, followed by opening of degassing pathways; or (b) a minor, undetected deep magmatic intrusion causing volatile exsolution and pore pressure increases within the hydrothermal system. Lack of post‐unrest subsidence suggests persistence of hydrothermal high‐pressure conditions at the summit and associated hazards. Our study shows how satellite imagery reveals hidden volcanic hazards at Taftan, and the need to implement a holistic volcano risk reduction strategy.

Source: Geophysical Research Letters

DOI: 10.1029/2025gl114853

Authors: Mohammadhossein Mohammadnia, Man Wai Yip, A. Alexander G. Webb, Pablo J. González

Institutions: University of Hong Kong, Freie Universität Berlin, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología

Language: English

Topic: Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Applications and Techniques

Subfield: Aerospace Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,190

Funders: Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Agencia Estatal de Investigación