Azernews.Az

By Narmina Mammadova

An eruption of six mud volcanoes is expected in Azerbaijan in the next months and in 2019, the head of the mud volcanism department of the Institute of Geology and Geophysics of ANAS, Doctor of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences, Adil Aliyev told Trend on October 24.

There is the likelihood of an eruption of the Bozdag Gobu volcano on the Absheron peninsula, the Bahar volcano in the Alat village, the Shekikhan, Nardaranakhtarma, Ayazakhtarma and Shikhzerli volcanoes in Gobustan, he said.

Aliyev added that there is a possibility that the eruption of Bozdag and Bahar volcanoes will be strong.

The head of the department noted that the Bozdag Gobu volcano last erupted in 1999 and it was not possible to release the accumulated energy after this eruption.

"Of course, it is difficult to predict a volcanic eruption, like an earthquake, but we can assume its eruption," Aliyev noted.

Salses, gryphons and hills form on the craters of volcanoes, thus gases, water, mud, and liquid come to the surface, he said.

“In the territories where this process takes place actively, volcanoes do not erupt, because the accumulated energy goes outside. But Bozdag Gobu volcano has no opportunity to release the accumulated energy. Therefore, an eruption of this volcano is expected,” the head of the department of ANAS said.

Aliyev also said that, the occurrence of mud volcanoes increased in some periods, due to the increase in seismic activity.

“Despite the fact that since 2011 there has been a lull, 2017 was remembered by the activation of volcanoes in Azerbaijan. Only in the first half of last year, seven volcanoes erupted on the Absheron Peninsula (Ortmanbozdag, Lokbatan, Keiryaki) and in the Shamakhi and Gobustan regions (Bozaakhtarma, Shikhzarli, Garidzha and Shekikhan).This can be considered a record. We also observe the continuation of this activity in 2018. Five volcanoes erupted this year: Gushchu Volcano - in the Shamakhi region, Toragai (twice) - in South Gobustan, Akhtarma-Pashaly volcano - in Hajibul, Ortmanbosdag volcano - in Garadagh,” Aliyev said.

He also added that the volcano Ortmanbozdag, which erupted last September 23 this year, was mistakenly called the second largest volcano in the world by the media, and erroneous information was given that during the eruption of this volcano mud was thrown to a height of 200 meters

“Ortmanbosdag mud volcano is the largest volcano in Azerbaijan, not in the world. On the other hand, the mud mass of the volcano may not be thrown up to a height of 200 meters, but a maximum of 30-40 meters, in a rare case up to 50 meters, but a height of a pillar of fire reaches 200-300 meters or more”, the head of the department said.

There are 1400-1500 mud volcanoes on Earth. More than 300 of 700, that is more than 45 percent of all mud volcanoes are concentrated on the territory of Azerbaijan, while most of them are located on the Absheron Peninsula. Mud volcanoes appeared on the territory of the present Azerbaijan Republic 25 million years ago.

Mud volcanoes by origin are associated with oil and gas fields. Rich deposits of gas condensate and oil (Lokbatan, Garadagh, Oil Rocks, Mishovdag, etc.) were found in these areas. In addition, the mud and liquid that mud volcanoes spew are used as raw materials for the chemical and construction industries, as well as for pharmacology.

Mud volcanoes are located far from populated areas. Most of these territories are under protection, and it is strictly forbidden for people to enter there without special permission. Otherwise, everyone will face a large fine - for individuals the amount is 400-600 manats, and for officials – 2,000-4,000 manats.

These bans have several reasons. Firstly, in this way the territory of the volcanoes is protected from possible contamination by people, secondly, possible attempts to carry away the mud from the territory of the reserve are prevented (this mud can be used during construction). And finally, the main reason is that each eruption volcano is a danger to human life. Volcanic eruptions have occurred on the territory of Azerbaijan many times. The first eruption of the volcano occurred in 1828. It was located 15 km from the capital Lokbatan volcano, and it has erupted 17 times since then.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz