Birth of a mud volcano: East Java (29 May 2006)

Mud Volcanoes under Scrutiny: Mud volcanoes form from the eruption of a fluid-mud mix and represent a major way by which fluids are buried to depth and returned to Earth's surface (recycled).

Mud volcanoes are not commonly recognized in the geologic past but are known in recent, active settings. The mechanisms of eruption are not well understood. In the February issue of GSA Today, Richard Davies and colleagues report on an unusual occurrence in eastern Java, where a new mud volcano (Lusi) has erupted in an area of active petroleum exploration so that the nature of the rock layers from which the mud was sourced can be constrained by drill data. The mud volcano (known as "pioneer") started to form on 29 May 2006 with the eruption of a very dilute mix of hot water, steam, and mud, and has been in a more or less continuous state of eruption. Because it is so dilute, it has buried a significant area, including four villages and 25 factories, and has contributed to 13 fatalities. The Lusi volcano adds new information as to how mud volcanoes form as well as demonstrating their potential as hazards. - Geological Society of America