Abstract Markarian 501, a BL Lac object well-known as a high energy gamma-ray source, has exhibited several epochs of very high energy (VHE) gamma-ray flaring events when its synchrotron peak frequency shifted above 10^17 10 17 Hz, a signature of extreme behavior. From July 16 to July 31, 2014 such flaring events were observed for 15 days by various telescopes. On July 19 (MJD 56857. 98), the X-ray outburst from the source was at its highest and on the same day an intriguing narrow peak-like feature around 3 TeV was observed by the MAGIC telescopes, a feature inconsistent with standard interpretations. Using the well-known two-zone photohadronic model, we study these VHE gamma-ray spectra on a day-by-day basis and offer explanation. Our two-zone photohadronic scenario shows that, on MJD 56857. 98, the peak-like feature appears at a cutoff energy of Eᶜ =3. 18 E γ c = 3. 18 TeV. Below this energy the VHE spectrum increases slowly and is in high emission state. However, for Eᶜ \, > 3. 18 E γ c > 3. 18 TeV, the spectrum falls faster, resulting in a mild peak-like feature, not prominent enough as claimed by the MAGIC collaboration.
Sahu et al. (2026) studied this question.