Mud volcano in Andamans (original) (raw)

A mud volcano started erupting at Baratang Island, Middle Andamans on 18th February 2003. There was a minor fissure eruption at the same site before 1983. This type of fissures are common at Baratang through which mud and gas constantly seeps out. The last major eruption occurred in March, 1983, which was of larger magnitude compared to the recent eruption. The present eruption covers an area of 1,000 sq m to 1,200 sq m and has resulted in the formation of the sub-circular mound of about 30 m in diameter and height of about 2 m at the center. The main crater is submerged under grey coloured, solidified mud. Emission of a colourless gas with sulphurous smell was noted along with grey, dark grey to bluish grey coloured viscous mud. The ejected viscous mud also contains angular to sub-rounded rock fragments consisting of sandstone, red and green coloured shales, quartz-calcite vein fragments and crystals of cubic pyrite (?) from the underlying strata.