Ancient city of Persepolis facing disaster

Can authorities halt the subsidence?

Experts are sounding the alarm over a “silent earthquake” threatening Iran’s cultural treasures, including the ancient city of Persepolis. Land subsidence—a phenomenon caused by excessive groundwater extraction—is steadily eroding historical monuments, museums, and ancient sites. Authorities are being urged to take immediate action to prevent irreversible damage.

Particularly concerning are the UNESCO-registered Persepolis and Naqsh-e Rostam sites, the necropolis of Achaemenid kings. Persepolis was a ceremonial city that dates back over 2,000 years. The problem lies in unsustainable farming practices that are exacerbating groundwater depletion. Isfahan is reportedly facing the highest risk, with subsidence accelerating at an alarming pace. Structural damage to residential buildings, infrastructure, and historic landmarks has already been observed.

20-30 centimeters per year

Mehdi Zare, a professor at the International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology, warns that subsidence in the Marvdasht region is advancing at a rate of 20 to 30 centimeters per year. This rate, he cautions, not only endangers these archaeological treasures but also risks triggering regional fault lines.

Zare calls for urgent reforms, including stricter regulations on groundwater use and an overhaul of agricultural policies. "Continuing to overdraft groundwater is unsustainable and dangerous," he said.

(Michael Leahy. Source: Tehran Times. Photo: Dorsa Masghati / unsplash)