Is Syria's ancient Jabal Kawkab volcano waking up?

Mysterious vapours emerging from the ground near an ancient volcanic formation in northeast Syria have prompted scientists to investigate whether recent seismic activity disturbed the geology beneath the area.

Videos from Jabal Kawkab, around 15 kilometres east of Hasakah, showed white vapour rising from cracks in the ground, alongside reports of subsidence in the surrounding area.

The phenomenon sparked speculation on Syrian social media that the ancient volcano could be reawakening, particularly after an earthquake was felt across parts of northern Syria last week.

But geologists have cautioned that there is currently no evidence of renewed volcanic activity, with several other possible explanations being investigated.

Syrian authorities have now sent specialist teams to Jabal Kawkab to examine the cracks, measure the emissions and determine what is happening beneath the surface.

Is Jabal Kawkab waking up?

Jabal Kawkab is an ancient volcanic formation rising from the plains east of Hasakah.

Its volcanic origins made the appearance of vapour particularly striking, but scientists say images of emissions from the ground are not sufficient to demonstrate that magma or renewed volcanic activity is involved.

One preliminary explanation being examined by Syrian geologists is that groundwater could be travelling through newly opened fractures and reaching warmer layers underground, producing vapour at the surface.

Scientists are also investigating whether recent seismic activity contributed to the appearance of the cracks or altered existing underground pathways.

Dr Abdul-Moneim Issa Hassan, a geology lecturer at Homs University who is originally from Hasakah, has urged caution over claims that the phenomenon is volcanic.

Hassan said the nature and source of the emissions could not be determined from videos alone and called for gas analysis, measurements of soil and rock temperatures and geophysical surveys of the area.

He also pointed to possible non-volcanic explanations linked to the history of the site.

The area around Jabal Kawkab includes an old rubbish dump and has previously been used for military purposes, meaning buried waste or other material could also potentially be responsible for the emissions.

Determining the composition and temperature of the gases will therefore be crucial in establishing whether their origin is geological, environmental or linked to human activity.

Scientists investigate

Syria's General Establishment of Geology and Mineral Resources has dispatched specialists to examine the site and investigate underground cavities and fractures.

Local environmental authorities are also preparing to analyse the emissions.

However, the legacy of Syria's war has complicated even a geological investigation.

Before environmental specialists can safely work across the affected area, mine-clearance teams are checking it for unexploded ordnance and other remnants of war.

Hasakah's Environment Directorate has said the area has been cordoned off while the investigation continues, with residents and journalists urged not to approach the affected sites.

The different teams are expected to examine the composition of the gases and the geology beneath the mountain before determining the most likely cause.

For now, there is no indication from Syrian geological authorities that Jabal Kawkab is undergoing a volcanic eruption or that one is imminent.

The appearance of vapour shortly after seismic activity has nevertheless drawn attention to a geological feature that has remained dormant for thousands of years.

Establishing whether the earthquake played any role will require scientists to determine whether new fractures were created, existing faults shifted or the timing of the two events was simply coincidental.

Until laboratory analysis and geophysical surveys are completed, scientists say the origin of the mysterious vapours remains unresolved.