Afghanistan's Volcanic Legacy: A Geological Journey Through A Turbulent Landscape

Afghanistan does have volcanoes, with the Vakak Group (or Wakak) being the most notable. This group consists of 18 small volcanoes located 115km west-southwest of Kabul, with the last eruption possibly being less than 10,000 years ago. The Dacht-i-Navar volcanic field is another volcanic presence in Afghanistan, comprising 15 trachyandesitic lava domes southwest of Kabul. While volcanic hazard levels are currently low, the potential for future damaging eruptions cannot be ruled out, and the impact of volcanic eruptions should be considered in various phases of planning and development.

The Vakak (or Wakak) volcano group

The volcanoes in the Vakak group are considered to be of Pleistocene age, according to Lapparent et al. (1965). They were later listed as Recent by Bordet (International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, 1973). The Vakak group is one of the few potentially active volcanoes in Afghanistan, which are related to intra-plate hot spot volcanism. The country's older, extinct volcanoes are located in the southwest, about 300-400 km behind the weakly developed subduction zone off the Makran coast, where the Arabian Sea floor is subducting at a shallow angle to the north.

Volcanic hazard level in Afghanistan

Afghanistan is home to several volcanoes, including the Vakak (or Wakak) Group and the Dacht-i-Navar Group. The Vakak Group is a volcanic field consisting of 18 small volcanoes located 115 km west-southwest of Kabul. The Dacht-i-Navar Group is a volcanic field made up of 15 trachyandesitic lava domes southwest of Kabul. While the exact ages of these volcanoes are unknown, they are believed to be relatively old, with no recorded eruptions in historical times.

Despite the lack of recent volcanic activity, the volcanic hazard level in Afghanistan is classified as low. This classification indicates that the country is located within 50 km of a volcano that has had a potentially damaging eruption more than 10,000 years ago. While the potential for future damaging eruptions cannot be ruled out, the current risk is considered low.

Volcanic eruptions can have a range of hazardous impacts, including pyroclastic density currents, lahars, ballistic projectiles, lava flows, volcanic landslides, earthquakes, and tsunamis. These hazards can result in lethal and destructive consequences for people and infrastructure. Thick ashfall, volcanic gases, and sector collapse are also potential risks associated with volcanic activity.

To mitigate the risks associated with volcanic activity, it is essential to have early warning systems and evacuation plans in place. Additionally, structural mitigation options such as reinforcing bridge piers and constructing diversion berms can help manage specific hazards like lahars. Volcanic hazard maps and indigenous knowledge are valuable tools for planning and identifying areas at risk of specific hazards. Regular exercises and drills for staff evacuation and sheltering arrangements are crucial for ensuring preparedness and the safety of individuals in the event of a volcanic eruption.

The Dacht-i-Navar volcanic field

Dacht-i-Navar is a source of obsidian and is one of the few sources in Southwest Asia. Some Paleolithic archaeological sites in the area have utilised this obsidian. Potassium-argon dating has yielded ages of 2.7 to 2.8 million years for the dacites in the volcanic field. The age of the last eruption from Dacht-i-Navar is unknown, but hot springs in the basin remain active.

Volcano observatories in Afghanistan

Volcano observatories play a crucial role in monitoring volcanic activity and assessing hazards to ensure the safety of communities living in proximity to volcanoes. While Afghanistan does have volcanoes within its borders, there is no explicit mention of dedicated volcano observatories within the country. However, the World Organisation of Volcano Observatories (WOVO) provides valuable resources and connections to global volcano observatories.

The WOVO website (http://www.wovo.org/observatories/) offers a semi-regularly updated list of global volcano observatories, including their contact details and the volcanoes they monitor. This resource can be a starting point for further research and establishing connections with observatories that may have expertise or interest in Afghanistan's volcanic regions.

Additionally, Afghanistan's volcanic regions can be broadly categorised into two groups: the Vakak Group and the Dacht-i-Navar Group. The Vakak Group, also known as Wakak, is located 115 km WSW of Kabul and consists of 18 small volcanoes. The Dacht-i-Navar Group, on the other hand, is situated in west-central Afghanistan, southwest of Kabul, and comprises 15 trachyandesitic lava domes.

Both volcanic regions have been tentatively considered to be of Pleistocene age, with their precise ages not yet fully determined. The potential for future damaging eruptions in Afghanistan cannot be ruled out, and early warning systems, hazard maps, and risk assessments are essential to mitigate potential impacts on nearby communities and infrastructure.

By reaching out to the observatories listed by WOVO and utilising their expertise and resources, it may be possible to gain further insights into volcanic activity and hazards specific to Afghanistan. This collaborative effort can contribute to enhancing preparedness and response strategies for any volcanic-related events in the region.

Volcanic hazards and their impacts

Volcanic eruptions can have a drastic impact on people's lives and the environment. While there are no known active volcanoes in Afghanistan, the country does have several volcanic fields, and the potential for future eruptions cannot be ruled out. Volcanic hazards can be classified into two categories: direct and indirect. Direct hazards are forces that directly kill or injure people, or destroy property or wildlife habitats. Indirect hazards are volcanism-induced environmental changes that lead to distress, famine, or habitat destruction.

Direct Hazards

• Pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) are fast-moving clouds of hot gases and particles that form when an eruption column collapses or when magma interacts explosively with water. PDCs travel at speeds of several hundred km/h and destroy anything in their path, causing fires, floods, and burying everything under a mixture of rock, ash, and debris.
• Lava flows consist of molten rock that streams down the slope of a volcano, destroying everything in its path and causing forest fires. While lava flows are generally slow and easy to avoid, they can also be fast-moving, and their high temperatures may cause fires.
• Ballistic projectiles are rocks that a volcano may hurl into the air during an eruption. These blocks and bombs usually land within 2 km of the vent but can travel further during highly explosive eruptions.
• Lateral blasts are clouds of extremely hot gases and rock particles that explode outward at very high speeds from the volcano during an explosive eruption. They can destroy everything within miles of the blast side of the volcano.
• Debris avalanches occur when the flank of a volcano collapses and slides down, incorporating water, trees, bridges, buildings, and anything else in its path.
• Lightning strikes during volcanic eruptions can be a significant cause of death.

Indirect Hazards

• Volcanic gases such as sulphur dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, and carbon dioxide can be present in toxic amounts near an erupting volcano and may cause irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. Carbon dioxide is especially dangerous as it is heavier than air and can accumulate in hollows in the ground, displacing breathable air and causing suffocation.
• Volcanic ash consists of tiny fragments of rock that become airborne during an eruption. Thick ash falls can collapse roofs, destroy vegetation, and cause engines to malfunction, posing a significant threat to aircraft. Volcanic ash can also cause severe respiratory problems and irritate the eyes and throat.
• Lahars are mixtures of volcanic water and rock fragments that rush down the slopes of a volcano and into surrounding valleys. They can be triggered by volcanic eruptions, heavy rains, or earthquakes, and can occur years after an eruption. Lahars can bury entire towns and travel over 100 km from the volcano.
• Tsunamis can be triggered by volcanic eruptions, usually due to landslides displacing large volumes of water or when eruptions occur beneath large water bodies.

Volcanic hazards can have varying impacts depending on the type of volcano and eruption. While some volcanoes produce highly explosive eruptions, others are less energetic. Volcanic hazards can occur in sequence or simultaneously and can affect areas far beyond the immediate vicinity of the volcano. Understanding and effectively communicating these hazards is crucial for mitigating their impacts and ensuring the safety of communities at risk.

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