From bursts to creep: scientists rewrite the story of mud volcano flows
New study in Geology proposes a new model for understanding mud volcano dynamics
Geological Society of America
image:
Panoramic view of the mud flow at Lokbatan mud volcano, Azerbaijan.
view moreCredit: Photo by A. Mazzini
Boulder, Colo., USA: Mud volcanoes are often pictured as dramatic geological phenomena featuring the sudden eruption of large volumes of fiery mud in short, powerful bursts. By examining recent activity at the Lokbatan mud volcano in Azerbaijan, an international team of researchers led by the University of Oslo found that many eruptions are relatively small and short-lived, producing only modest amounts of material near the crater. Instead of building large flows all at once, these outbursts seem to “wake up” much older mud deposits that were already sitting on the slopes.
The team combined field observations, satellite imagery, and geophysical measurements to track how these older mud flows behave over time. A key player is a hidden, water-rich layer beneath the surface that acts like a lubricant, allowing the overlying mud to slide, almost like a slow‑moving glacier. This slow, step-by-step motion has been ongoing for years, quietly reshaping the landscape in ways that are not immediately visible.
Based on these findings, the authors propose a new model for mud volcano dynamics: Large mud flows are not generated by single, catastrophic eruptions, but instead grow progressively through repeated small events that reactivate and push existing material downslope triggering a slow creeping. This new perspective changes how scientists understand these systems and has important implications for hazard assessment and monitoring.
Contact: Dr. Adriano Mazzini email: adriano.mazzini@geo.uio.no
Dr. Petr Brož email: petr.broz@ig.cas.cz
The study combines expertise from researchers in Norway, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, France, Italy, and Azerbaijan.
CITATION: Mazzini, A., et al., 2026, Mud volcanism and creepy mud flows: A new model: Geology, https://doi.org /10.1130/G54583.1
Link to visual materials: All photos credited to A. Mazzini
About the Geological Society of America
The Geological Society of America (GSA) is a global professional society with more than 18,000 members across over 100 countries. As a leading voice for the geosciences, GSA advances the understanding of Earth's dynamic processes and fosters collaboration among scientists, educators, and policymakers. GSA publishes Geology, the top-ranked “geology” journal, along with a diverse portfolio of scholarly journals, books, and conference proceedings—several of which rank among Amazon’s top 100 best-selling geology titles.
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