Spatio-Temporal Analysis and Tectonic Correlation of Active Mud Volcanoes in the Makran Subduction Zone: A Case Study of Sorkh Kooh Coastal Mud Volcanoes

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Research Article

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Department of Geography, Faculty of Human Sciences, Jiroft University, Jiroft, Iran

Abstract

Mud volcanoes, as active geomorphological structures, reflect a combination of tectonic, geochemical, and hydrodynamic processes occurring deep within the Earth’s crust. Monitoring their spatial and temporal dynamics provides crucial insights into crustal deformation and subsurface fluid migration, especially in geologically complex and earthquake-prone regions such as the Makran coast of southeastern Iran. In this study, multi-temporal satellite datasets from Sentinel-2 and Landsat 8 were systematically processed and analyzed within Google Earth Engine and QGIS environments. Spatiotemporal patterns of activity were extracted for several major mud volcanoes between 2015 and 2025. The results indicate notable variations in vent formation, mud discharge volume, and eruption intensity, closely associated with local seismic events, fault structures, and subsurface pressure changes. The developed remote sensing and GIS-based model provides a robust, cost-effective framework for continuous and indirect monitoring of mud volcano dynamics. Furthermore, it can serve as a reliable decision-support tool in geological hazard assessment, land-use management, and regional environmental planning. This integrative approach enhances understanding of the interactions between tectonics and surface manifestations, offering valuable guidance for mitigating potential risks in active coastal zones.

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Sustainable Earth Trends

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 15 February 2026

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