Taftan Volcano

Taftan is an active stratovolcano in south-eastern Iran situated in the Sistan and Baluchestan province. With variable heights reported, all around 4,000 metres above sea level, it is the highest mountain in south-eastern Iran. The nearest city is Khash.Taftan has two main summits, Narkuh and Materkuh, and various heights have been reported for both summits. The northwestern Narkuh has two craters and is the older of the two summits. The southeastern Materkuh summit is surrounded by fresh-looking lava flows and has at least three craters. The principal rock at Taftan is andesite.Reports of historical volcanic activity are unclear and the youngest radiometric dates are 0.71 ± 0.03 mya. Currently, the volcano features vigorous fumarolic activity that is visible from a great distance and involves numerous vents on Materkuh. Taftan appears to be part of a geothermal area, and a number of hot springs can be found around the volcano.Taftan is part of a volcanic arc in Iran, together with Bazman, also in Iran, and Koh-i-Sultan in Pakistan. This volcanic arc has formed on Cretaceous-Eocene sedimentary layers and has resulted from the subduction of the oceanic Arabian plate beneath Iran at the Makran trench.