What is a Mud Volcano?
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
A mud volcano, sometimes also called a gas-oil volcano, is geological formation created by the extrusion of pressurized gases and mud from below the Earth's crust. Just like igneous volcanoes, mud volcanoes can vary in size, and the strength of their eruptions is also quite diverse. The nation of Azerbaijan is famous for its mud volcanoes, most of which are located over petroleum deposits, but these volcanoes can be found all over the world.
An igneous or magma volcano erupts with lava, molten rock which pushes up through the surface of the Earth. Mud volcanoes, on the other hand, are essentially like steam vents for the planet: they erupt with pressurized gases, hot water, and various sediments. Many of them also contain petroleum products, which can cause the volcano to flare.
These volcanoes tend to start out as small bulges in the Earth which develop into cones. The bulge is created by a buildup of pressure underneath relatively plastic rock. Areas of increased tectonic activity are frequent sites for mud volcanoes, and these volcanoes can also appear over petroleum deposits, and in areas where volcanic activity is occurring. Geothermal springs are often associated with mud volcanoes as well, in which case they may erupt with superheated sprays of mineral water which can scald bystanders.
Some mud volcanoes erupt with relatively tame flows; a knee-high cone with a gentle trickle of mud is generally not terribly remarkable. Others erupt more explosively, shooting material into the air. This can be dangerous, as the material may be hot or actually on fire, causing damage wherever it lands. Many mud volcanoes are also very stinky, because they contain a variety of volatile gases.
A mud volcano is not the same thing as a mud pot, a pool of mud which bubbles as water and gases rise through it. Mud pots do not erupt, and they do not generally pose a safety hazard, although extremely hot or viscous mud pots can be dangerous for people who climb into them. While mud pots are sometimes used for recreation, this is not advisable with a mud volcano, due to the unpredictability of eruptions.
Sometimes, a mud volcano forces an evacuation. Extremely explosive eruptions or a heavy flow of mud can lead officials to decide that the neighboring population should be moved to a safer location. Residents of Porong, Indonesia, for example, were evacuated in 2008 after a mud volcano which had been erupting since 2006 became much more active, flooding roads and spewing black goo over the surrounding area.
Mary McMahon
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AllThingsNature researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.
Mary McMahon
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AllThingsNature researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.
AS FEATURED ON:
AS FEATURED ON:
-
![The extrusion of pressurized gases and mud below Earth's crust forms mud volcanoes.]()
By: whitewizzardThe extrusion of pressurized gases and mud below Earth's crust forms mud volcanoes. -
![Azerbaijan is famous for its mud volcanoes.]()
By: photorebelleAzerbaijan is famous for its mud volcanoes. -
![Eruptions of heavy mud by mud volcanoes may force evacuations.]()
By: bombomanEruptions of heavy mud by mud volcanoes may force evacuations.
Discussion Comments
@glassaxe- A report came out recently that blames the giant mud volcano in Indonesia on oil exploration. The peer-reviewed study concluded that there were five major mistakes in the drilling of a well that caused the Lusi mud volcano to form. The volcano has killed numerous people, released huge amounts of toxic materials into the surrounding environment, and displaced a number of villages and factories in the area. The article I read said the volcano is pumping out about 50 Olympic swimming pools worth of mud per day, and will likely continue erupting for another 20+ years (it has already been erupting for five). The worst part about the story is that the drilling company is denying any involvement in an attempt to skirt liability for the accident.
@amphbious54- There are a number of mud volcanoes continuously erupting in the United States. Probably the most notable is the Yellowstone mud volcano. These mud volcanoes are located in the Yellowstone National Park, and are created by magma form an active hotspot beneath the park.
Less well known are the mud volcanoes and the mud pots throughout California and along the west coast. There is an unnamed mud volcano off Redondo Beach that extends a thousand feet under the surface, and peeks through the ocean’s surface about 100 feet.
These types of volcanoes are also commonly found around oil wells. They can be caused by magmatic processes or by manmade causes. Oil exploration will often release pressure and gas in a geologically unstable area, causing a mud volcano.
Have there been any mud volcano eruptions in the United States?
Post your comments