Event Reminder: Mud volcanoes as a surface expression of subterranean forces

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Prof. Richard Swarbrick, Durham University

Mud volcanoes occur at the earth’s surface in many parts of the world, but especially in
areas of overpressure where sediments are deposited rapidly, such as modern deltas. The
talk will explain the common features of mud volcanoes (found both in the rock record and
erupting at the present day) and how they can inform us about deep, high-pressure
reservoirs and associated supplies of mud capable of fracturing rocks. These underground
forces are capable of fracture propagation rates of more than 1.0 km a day! What
geological or other circumstances trigger such events? The “LUSI” mud volcano, East Java,
Indonesia which erupted in a paddy field in 2006 and still active today will indicate how
human intervention can also create suitable conditions for such explosive action”