The eruption of mud, water and gases, most commonly methane, from a vent at the Earth's surface, formed where pressurized fluids and fine sediment deep underground find a pathway upward, often in regions of active petroleum or natural gas deposits. Unlike a true volcanic eruption, it generates little or no true magmatic heat, though some can still build cone-shaped mounds and cause substantial local damage, as in Indonesia's long-running Sidoarjo mud flow that began in 2006.
Facts
Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceEjected material is mostly a slurry of fine solids in water with salts, acids and hydrocarbons 1 ScaleFrom under a meter high and 1 to 2 meters across, to 700 meters tall and 10 kilometers wide 1 Sources
1. Mud volcano, Wikipedia
Introduction, size
Mud volcanoes may range in size from less than a meter high and 1 or 2 meters across, to 700 meters tall and 10 kilometers wide.
Introduction, composition
Ejected materials are most often a slurry of fine solids suspended in water that may contain a mixture of salts, acids and various hydrocarbons.
View the SourceReader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.