The Qobustan mud volcanoes (Azerbaijani: Palçıq vulkanı) have been a geological protected area in the Qobustan Rayon of Azerbaijan since 2001. Their appearance in the area around Qobustan is closely linked to the oil and gas deposits there. Sometimes mud volcanoes spew bursts of fire several hundred meters high, as well as flashes of flame, fireballs and large amounts of mud. The last major eruption occurred in 2001. During the eruption in 1887 there were flames up to 600 meters high. Source: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schlammvolkane_von_Qobustan
The region around Qobustan in Azerbaijan is one of the most fascinating geological sites in the world. Known as "The Land of Fire," the country is home to no less than half of all mud volcanoes on Earth. The greatest concentration of these is found in the Qobustan area.
Unlike a traditional volcano, which spews molten lava, ash, and gases, mud volcanoes are geological formations that eject mud, water, and natural gas. This happens at a much lower temperature than a lava volcano. The process begins deep underground, where vast natural gas reserves are present. The gas, under high pressure, mixes with water and mud deep within the Earth's crust. The pressure forces this mixture to the surface through geological faults.
Once at the surface, the gas escapes, causing the mud to bubble and erupt. Sometimes, the mud and gas emissions are so powerful that a small eruption occurs, spewing mud several meters into the air. The mud that flows from the volcanoes dries and forms small, cone-shaped mounds that give the volcanoes their characteristic appearance.
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