Is Dasht-e Kavir salt-playa polygonal patterns happening right now?

As of today, peak season now, through ~September 15. Earth Exhibit tracks the live conditions and flags it the moment it is on.

Regular polygonal salt plates and low ridges form across the playas of Dasht-e Kavir when groundwater and ephemeral surface water evaporate and precipitate salts.

The patterns result from surface salt crust growth coupled with subsurface porous-media convection and desiccation, producing meter-scale polygons and raised rims visible from the ground and satellite platforms.

Where to see it

A taste of where to see it. The full map, exact coordinates and the best timing for each spot live in the app.

Viewing spots
Maranjab Caravanserai (viewpoint for Namak Lake)
Namak (Salt) Lake playa - central Namak basin viewpoint
+ 1 more spot, with exact coordinates and timing, in the app →

This is the short version

This page shows a taste. The app has the full list of where to see this, the exact timing, and live conditions for 1,000+ natural phenomena worldwide, so you know the moment one is genuinely worth the trip.