Mud Volcanoes

Mud volcanoes are a result of the increase in tectonic activity or a pressure build-up under the Earth's surface. Mud volcanoes are closely resemble their magma-erupting counterparts; the only difference being that the former erupt mud (ton and tons of it). At first they form bulges, which later on, develop into cones. These volcanoes are characterized by different kinds of features, such as domes, gryphons, scoria cone, salse, mud-shield. Mud pool and vents are the geothermal features of these volcanoes. Mud pools (hot springs) appear, when the surrounding terrain is dry and there is not much water available. Apparently, the mud volcano in Yellow Stone National Park is not a mud volcano, but a mud pool.

Sometimes, mud volcanoes erupt powerfully; emitting mud as far as 2 kilometers. The eruptions of these volcanoes consist of pressurized gas, mineral water and hydrocarbons, but the major component is methane. If mud volcanoes are found in close proximity to magma-erupting volcanoes, then they may emit incombustible gases (e.g. helium), instead of methane. If oil and gas also erupt; there may be chances of combustion.

Mud volcanoes are mostly found in areas of high volcanic activity or places with oil and natural gas depositions. Due to reaction with the emitted gases, the soil in the surrounding area becomes salty. This is the reason why you might find most mud volcanoes in arid regions (without any vegetation). Mud volcanoes are a natural phenomenon, but can also be caused due to man-made activities, for e.g. recently in Malaysia, a hybrid mud volcano erupted due to commercial gas drilling. The eruption was of such high intensity that the mud covered an entire village including 18 schools, 20 factories,15 mosques and a cemetery. The volcano is still active and emits 125,000 cubic meters of mud daily.

Mud volcanoes are, in fact, a large number of mud volcanoes located on land and sea; but not much information is available about them. Research on mud volcanoes in the sea has just started. Here, listed below, are some of the famous mud volcanoes that exist around the world.

Pakistan: In Baluchistan, an area of Pakistan; there are about 18 active mud volcanoes. They are mostly found in clusters. Even the world's highest and largest volcano is found here. The altitude of this mud volcano is 300 ft. There are two known groups of volcanoes in this country; one is Chandragup, while the other is Jabl-ul-Ghurab. The chandragup volcanoes are also called Chandra coop, which means 'volcanoes of the moon'. These are mostly situated in the high terrain areas. They can also be seen as small islands in the Arabian Sea.

Romania: The Berca mud volcanoes are located in the Bazau country, in Romania. One special feature about them is that the mud that erupts is cold and it comes from the Earth's continental crust layers. Unlike other mud volcanoes, these volcanoes are easily accessible. The soil being salty, there is hardly any vegetation here. Only, some rare species of plants grow here.

Azerbaijan: Most of the world's mud volcanoes are located in Azerbaijan, near the Caspian Sea. They are mostly situated around Alat, Gobustan and Salyan. Here, there are a lot of small mud volcanoes. The small cones out here emit cold mud, water and gases continually. These volcanoes symbolize the presence of oil and gas reservoirs under the land and sea. On 25th October, 2005, a mud volcano erupted with great force;15 kilometers away from the capital city Baku. Flames shot high up in the sky and mud was deposited in the surrounding area. This is a very rare calamity and happens only once in a blue moon.

China: There are several mud volcanoes in Xinjiang region of China. Scientists have recently discovered China's largest mud volcano in this region. There are two active volcanoes and several inactive ones in South Taiwan. They are typically characterized by flowing, muddy waters. There is a small inactive volcano in the Luoshan village of Taiwan. People of this village have invented a new tofu, made from the soybeans grown in the mud volcano region. This unique tofu has become very famous with the tourists.

Many mud volcanoes are found in other areas, such as Taman Peninsula and Krasnodar Krai district in Russia; Alaska and Columbia in the U.S; Apennines and Sicily in Italy and the Andaman Islands in India.

Mud volcanoes are not at all considered dangerous. It is very uncommon for a mud volcano, to have a large eruption. Fortunately, most of these volcanoes are situated far from human habitation.