More powerful eruption of Gushchu mud volcano expected
By Aygul Salmanova
Azerbaijan, well-known for its rich oil and gas resources, ranks first in the number of mud volcanoes in the world.
With the location of the mud volcano Gushchu in the Shamakhi region of Azerbaijan in the seismically active zone, there is a possibility of its even more powerful eruption.
This conclusion was reached as a result of the study of this volcano by representatives of the Institute of Geography of ANAS - PhD in geography Elkhan Mammadbayov and Ph.D. in Geography Mirnukh Ismayilov.
It was noted that during the last hundred years there were several strong eruptions of the Gushchu volcano.
“Research of scientific sources showed that the first known eruption of the mud volcano occurred in 1913, and the last occurred on January 16. The eruptions in 1992-2008 were accompanied by a thunder and the release of combustible gas. According to local residents, the height of the flame during the eruption this year reached 150-200 meters. The last eruption occurred at about 1 a.m., accompanied by a strong underground rumble,” Mammadbayov said.
The scientist-researcher added that the high concentration of microelements and heavy metals in the materials of the volcanic eruption enter the body of domestic animals, and in the end, into the human body.
Mammadbayov noted that seismic processes play an important role in the eruption of volcanoes.
“Since the investigated mud volcano is in a seismically active zone, an even more powerful eruption is likely to occur. Considering this, outreach work was conducted with the residents of Gushchu village in connection with the danger and risks that may arise in the village near a mud volcano," Mammadbayov said.
Over a thousand mud volcanoes are known to exist in the world, and some 400 are located in the coastal area of Azerbaijan and the Caspian Sea.
The world’s largest mud volcanoes - Boyuk Khanizadagh and Turaghai - are both in Azerbaijan. Boyuk Khanizadagh, the diameter and height of which are 10 kilometers and 700 meters respectively, erupted on October 10, 2001, shooting out flames 300 meters in the air. It was the highest record for flames shot from a mud volcano.
Mud volcanoes are a fairly widespread geological phenomenon. The dissemination of mud volcanoes usually indicates the existence of large oil and gas basins, so the large number of mud volcanoes in Azerbaijan reaffirms its richness and attracts the attention of scientists from all over the world.
Azerbaijan’s rich fields of oil and gas condensate such as Lokbatan, Garadagh, Oil Rocks, and Mishovdag were discovered near mud volcanoes.
The lava, mud, and liquid spewed by mud volcanoes are used as raw materials for chemical and construction industries, as well as pharmacology.
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