The Runaruna mud volcano is ranked as a nationally important geological site and landform as it is the only active mud volcano in Northland.
Mud volcanoes are not true (igneous) volcanoes as they produce no lava. The earth continuously exudes a mud-like substance, which leads to the term ‘mud volcano’. Mud volcanoes may range in size from merely 1 or 2 metres high and 1 or 2 metres wide, to 700 metres high and 10 kilometres wide. The largest mud volcano, Indonesia’s Lusi, is 10kms in diameter.
The mud produced by mud volcanoes is most typically formed as hot water, which has been heated deep below the earth’s surface, then begins to mix and blend with subterranean mineral deposits, thus creating the mud slurry exudate.
About 86% of the gas released from these structures is methane, with much less carbon dioxide and nitrogen emitted. Ejected materials are most often a slurry of fine solids suspended in water that may contain a mixture of salt, acids and various hydrocarbons.
Walking up the gentle slopes of the volcano is a strange experience. In parts the surface is very soft, and is traversed by cattle tracks. On the ‘summit’ are three or four vents, each with slow-bubbling mud, similar to the mud pools of Rotorua, but there is no heat. Other small pools down the slope and even in the grassy paddock surrounding, all have bubbles continuously erupting on their surface.
Mud volcano or mud dome refers to formations created by geo-exuded slurries (usually including water) and gases. There are several geological processes that may cause the formation of mud volcanoes. Mud volcanoes are not true (igneous) volcanoes as they produce no lava. The earth continuously exudes a mud-like substance, which may sometimes be referred to as a "mud volcano". Mud volcanoes may range in size from merely 1 or 2 meters high and 1 or 2 meters wide, to 700 meters high and 10 kilometers wide. Smaller mud exudations are sometimes referred to as mud-pots. The largest mud volcano, Indonesia's Lusi, is 10 kilometres (6 mi) in diameter.[1]
The mud produced by mud volcanoes is most typically formed as hot water, which has been heated deep below the earth's surface, begins to mix and blend with subterranean mineral deposits, thus creating the mud slurry exudate. This material is then forced upwards through a geological fault or fissure due to local subterranean pressure imbalances. Mud volcanoes are associated with subduction zones and about 1100 have been identified on or near land. The temperature of any given active mud volcano generally remains fairly steady and is much lower than the typical temperatures found in igneous volcanoes. Mud volcano temperatures can range from near 100 °C (212 °F) to occasionally 2 °C (36 °F), some being used as popular "mud baths."
About 86% of the gas released from these structures is methane, with much less carbon dioxide and nitrogen emitted. Ejected materials are most often a slurry of fine solids suspended in water that may contain a mixture of salt, acids and various hydrocarbons.
Mud volcanoes are not true (igneous) volcanoes as they produce no lava. The earth continuously exudes a mud-like substance, which leads to the term ‘mud volcano’. Mud volcanoes may range in size from merely 1 or 2 metres high and 1 or 2 metres wide, to 700 metres high and 10 kilometres wide. The largest mud volcano, Indonesia’s Lusi, is 10kms in diameter.
The mud produced by mud volcanoes is most typically formed as hot water, which has been heated deep below the earth’s surface, then begins to mix and blend with subterranean mineral deposits, thus creating the mud slurry exudate.
About 86% of the gas released from these structures is methane, with much less carbon dioxide and nitrogen emitted. Ejected materials are most often a slurry of fine solids suspended in water that may contain a mixture of salt, acids and various hydrocarbons.
Walking up the gentle slopes of the volcano is a strange experience. In parts the surface is very soft, and is traversed by cattle tracks. On the ‘summit’ are three or four vents, each with slow-bubbling mud, similar to the mud pools of Rotorua, but there is no heat. Other small pools down the slope and even in the grassy paddock surrounding, all have bubbles continuously erupting on their surface.
Mud volcano or mud dome refers to formations created by geo-exuded slurries (usually including water) and gases. There are several geological processes that may cause the formation of mud volcanoes. Mud volcanoes are not true (igneous) volcanoes as they produce no lava. The earth continuously exudes a mud-like substance, which may sometimes be referred to as a "mud volcano". Mud volcanoes may range in size from merely 1 or 2 meters high and 1 or 2 meters wide, to 700 meters high and 10 kilometers wide. Smaller mud exudations are sometimes referred to as mud-pots. The largest mud volcano, Indonesia's Lusi, is 10 kilometres (6 mi) in diameter.[1]
The mud produced by mud volcanoes is most typically formed as hot water, which has been heated deep below the earth's surface, begins to mix and blend with subterranean mineral deposits, thus creating the mud slurry exudate. This material is then forced upwards through a geological fault or fissure due to local subterranean pressure imbalances. Mud volcanoes are associated with subduction zones and about 1100 have been identified on or near land. The temperature of any given active mud volcano generally remains fairly steady and is much lower than the typical temperatures found in igneous volcanoes. Mud volcano temperatures can range from near 100 °C (212 °F) to occasionally 2 °C (36 °F), some being used as popular "mud baths."
About 86% of the gas released from these structures is methane, with much less carbon dioxide and nitrogen emitted. Ejected materials are most often a slurry of fine solids suspended in water that may contain a mixture of salt, acids and various hydrocarbons.