Naftalijeh Mud Volcano

Mud Volcanos or Mud Domes are a rare geological phenomenon in the form of a cone or pond, created by the continuous extrusion of mud. Like a volcano, this distinctive feature throws up minerals with mud, water, and gases but no lava. This splendid phenomenon exists in spots where underground gases like carbon dioxide or methane find their way out through weak and clay-like soil. With their escaping, these gases bring water and mix it with the soft ground in the form of mud to the surface. The erupted mud is rich in sodium, chloride, magnesium, potassium, iron, iodine, and calcium.

The mud domes may show their activity by a few bubbles, but sometimes they fling mud kilometers away. Sometimes the fermentation of mud is accompanied by mild explosion sound and the slight vibration of the earth. The constant flow of mud over long years of activity forms mud domes, while the height of them can vary from 1 or 2 meters to 700 meters. The temperature of released mud during eruption categorizes mud volcanoes to two groups of hot or cold effusions.

Naftalijeh Mud Volcano (گلفشان نقتلیجه) is located in Gomishan city in the east of the Caspian Sea, Golestan province and a short distance from Bandar’e Torkman. It is associated with petroleum products and has created a hill in the middle of a flat plain of mud paste that comes out of its mouth and has a high gas activity. It is located 26 meters above sea level and has a height of 8 meters and a diameter of 500 meters. A small lake has formed on top of Naftalijeh Mud Volcano and salty water with gas and clay gushing out from its mouth with pressure and high density.

Naftalijeh Mud Volcano is a unique mud volcano in that it erupts pinkish mud. This puddle on top of its dome gains its color from chemical elements like iodine, sulfur, and phosphorus. It maintains its pink color from late September through late April. It is the type that contains a large portion of water. In fact during heavy downpour seasons it is a bit challenging to pinpoint the exact location of the eruption. It has been claimed that due to its chemical makeup. the resulting mud is effective in treating the spine and joint pain, neurological diseases, arterial stenosis and muscle contractions.

Lack of a feasible road to the area is a major obstacle preventing a larger number of visitors to the mud volcano. The path from Safa Ishan Village to its northeast, is a seven-kilometer dirt road which during rainy periods becomes difficult to navigate. In 2017, Naftalijeh Mud Volcano was registered by the Iranian Cultural Heritage Organization.