About Damavand
Damavand is a stratovolcano rising to 5,670 meters (18,603 feet) in Iran's Arabia-Central Asia Volcanic Regions. The volcano is currently active, with its most recent eruption in 5350 BCE. The volcano has produced 1 recorded eruption.
Geography & Climate
Damavand is located in Iran, within the Caucasus Volcanic Province of the broader Arabia-Central Asia Volcanic Regions. Situated at 35.95° N, 52.11° E in the Northern Hemisphere, the volcano lies within a temperate climate zone. At 5,670 meters above sea level, Damavand reaches well into the permanent snow and ice zone. Glaciers and snowpack on the upper slopes create the potential for lahars — destructive volcanic mudflows — during eruptions, as heat rapidly melts ice and snow. The volcanic landform is characterized as a composite, which describes the physical shape and structure of the volcanic edifice as observed from the surface.
Geological Context
Damavand is an intraplate volcano, meaning it formed away from any plate boundary. These volcanoes are often powered by hotspots — plumes of abnormally hot mantle material rising from deep within the Earth. Hotspot volcanoes like Damavand tend to produce effusive eruptions with lava flows that can be relatively predictable, giving nearby communities in Iran more time to prepare. However, they can also produce explosive phases, particularly when magma interacts with groundwater. The dominant rock type is trachyandesite / basaltic trachyandesite, a dark, fine-grained volcanic rock that forms from rapidly cooling, low-viscosity lava. Basaltic eruptions tend to be less explosive and produce fluid lava flows that can travel long distances. While less immediately dangerous than explosive eruptions, basaltic lava flows can destroy structures and infrastructure in their path, and volcanic gases released during these eruptions can affect air quality over a wide area.
Eruption History Summary
Damavand has 1 recorded eruption in the geological database, spanning from 5350 BCE to 5350 BCE.
GVP Reference Summary
The Damavand stratovolcano is located 70 km NE of Iran's capital city of Tehran and 70 km S of the Caspian Sea. A younger cone has been constructed during the past 600,000 years over an older edifice, remnants of which were previously interpreted as a caldera wall. Flank vents are rare, and activity at the dominantly trachyandesite volcano has been concentrated at the summit vent, which has produced a series of radial lava flows. Lava effusion has dominated, pyroclastic activity has been limited, and the only major explosive event produced a welded ignimbrite about 280,000 years ago. The youngest activity, from the summit vent, produced a series of lava flows that cover the W side of the volcano. The youngest dated lava flows were emplaced about 7,000 years ago. No recorded eruptions are known, but hot springs are located on the flanks, and fumaroles are found at the summit crater.
— Smithsonian Institution, Global Volcanism Program
1 Recorded Eruption
| Year | VEI | Type | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5350 BCE | 0 | Confirmed Eruption | — |
Real-Time Data
USGS Alert Level
Thermal Anomalies
Frequently Asked Questions About Damavand
Is Damavand an active volcano?+
Damavand is not currently classified as active. Its activity evidence is listed as "Eruption Dated." The last known eruption was in 5350 BCE. However, no volcano is ever considered permanently extinct.
When did Damavand last erupt?+
The most recent recorded eruption of Damavand occurred in 5350 BCE with a Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 0. The eruption was classified as a "Confirmed Eruption." Damavand has 1 recorded eruption in total.
How high is Damavand?+
Damavand has a summit elevation of 5,670 meters (18,603 feet) above sea level. At 5,670 meters, it stands taller than Mount Rainier (4,392m) and is among the world's major volcanic peaks.
What type of volcano is Damavand?+
Damavand is classified as a Stratovolcano. Stratovolcanoes (also called composite volcanoes) are steep, conical volcanoes built up by many layers of hardened lava, tephra, and volcanic ash. They are among the most common and dangerous types, known for explosive eruptions.
Where is Damavand located?+
Damavand is located in Iran, in the Arabia-Central Asia Volcanic Regions. More specifically, it lies within the Caucasus Volcanic Province. Its exact coordinates are 35.951° latitude, 52.109° longitude.
Is it safe to visit Damavand?+
Damavand can generally be visited, but as with any volcano, visitors should check local conditions and any advisory notices before traveling. Iran may have specific regulations for accessing volcanic areas. Guided tours are often the safest and most informative way to experience a volcano.