Mud volcano is a mound, hill, or crater created by eruptions of mud. The water and sediments (tiny particles) that make up the mud originate from rock layers deep in the ground. The eruptions often include large amounts of gases. A mud volcano is not a true volcano. A true volcano erupts molten rock, not mud.
Mud volcanoes appear in petroleum producing regions. In these areas, the fluids originate from hydrocarbons deep in the ground that are under pressure. Hydrocarbons are chemicals that make up most of petroleum. The extreme pressure on the fluid from the weight of the rock above causes it to seep up through cracks in the rock. As it rises, the pressure decreases, allowing gases, such as methane, to come out of solution and form bubbles. This causes the fluid to seep higher, pulling more fluid behind it. Eventually, the fluid reaches the surface to form a mud volcano.
Mud volcanoes are found in many places, including Azerbaijan and Trinidad. Mud volcanoes also appear in certain areas on the seafloor.
In May 2006, a mud volcano known as Lusi began to erupt in the Sidoarjo region of Indonesia. The eruption destroyed more than 10,000 homes, schools, and other structures. It displaced more than 30,000 people. Nearly all mud volcanoes have natural origins. But many scientists believe that the Lusi mud volcano may have been triggered by a nearby underground natural gas drilling project.
See also Mud volcanoes of Azerbaijan.
