UNESCO Geopark Buzău Celebrates 100 Years of Mud Volcano Protection

The UNESCO Geopark Buzău Land has launched a documentary video showcasing the first results of an innovative research project on the Mud Volcanoes and other geological landmarks in the region. The mini-documentary, “The Volcanoes Tremble,” marks 100 years of protecting these fascinating natural phenomena, which include the Pâclele Mari and Pâclele Mici formations, among the most spectacular natural reserves in Romania.

The research project, initiated by the Geopark and researchers from the National Institute for Earth Physics (INFP), aims to provide the public with an in-depth view of the Earth using advanced geophysical techniques to explore the underground structures of the Mud Volcanoes. With the help of drones and cutting-edge equipment, scientists are working to answer key questions, such as how these phenomena form and why they display such different behaviors and shapes on the surface.

Understanding these mechanisms is not only an important step for science but also a valuable resource for tourism and education. The approximately 17-minute video documentary, which explains the research methods and first project results, is available online and can be viewed on the Geopark’s media platforms.

A Groundbreaking Research Project in Romania
Last summer, the Geopark and INFP launched the first measurement campaign, during which the internal structure of the mud volcanoes and landslides in the area were monitored. “What we’re doing now is a premiere not just in Romania. Determining the deep structure of the mud volcanoes using geophysical methods is a complex initiative, but the preliminary results are extremely encouraging,” says Razvan-Gabriel Popa, manager of the UNESCO Geopark. The project’s goals include identifying areas where new volcanic cones might appear and understanding potential risks, such as landslides caused by mud accumulations near the surface.

“Mud volcanoes, whether mud or magmatic, are a fascinating phenomenon, especially since what we see on the surface is just the ‘tip of the iceberg.’ In the case of the mud volcanoes in the UNESCO Geopark Buzău Land, they represent an expression of a structure that extends 3 kilometers deep. With the geophysical techniques we’re using, we can visualize this structure, and the generated images are valuable resources for us, both educationally and touristically,” adds the Geopark manager, who is also a volcanologist.

Mud Volcanoes: Educational and Touristic Value
The scientific project and its video presentation represent a valuable resource for students. The Geopark is also collaborating with local schools, involving students in field activities and explaining the geological phenomena of the Buzău Land. “Students are fascinated by how we can ‘see’ into the depths of the Earth, and launching drones for measurements is always the highlight of their visits,” says Razvan-Gabriel Popa.

Additionally, the images obtained from the research will be displayed at the entrances to the tourist sites, allowing visitors to see the underground structures of the Mud Volcanoes.

In turn, Dragoș Tătaru, senior researcher at INFP, states: “Exploring the mud volcanoes of Buzău Land is not only a fascinating journey into the heart of nature but also a crucial scientific mission. These volcanoes serve as windows into the Earth’s depths, providing us with valuable information about underground geological processes. Studying them helps us better understand natural risks, land dynamics, and even discover valuable underground resources.” He emphasized that the Buzău Land Association, which manages the Geopark, plays a key role in facilitating research and sharing results with the public. “The UNESCO Geopark thus becomes a bridge between the scientific community and the local community, promoting education and sustainable development. Through collaboration, we can protect this unique natural heritage and leverage the data obtained for a safer future and a more informed society,” adds Tătaru.

A Rare Phenomenon at the Confluence of Three Tectonic Plates
The UNESCO Geopark Buzău Land is located at the Carpathian bend, an area where three continental plates continue to collide, leading to rare geological phenomena. At a depth of approximately 3 kilometers, reserves of oil and natural gas are found, and these gases rise to the surface, mixing with groundwater and washing away salts and clays from below, creating the mud that erupts constantly in the four mud volcano areas of Buzău Land.

Protected since 1924, the Mud Volcanoes reserve has attracted hundreds of thousands of tourists and researchers over the years. Pâclele Mari, the highest mud volcano in Europe, and Pâclele Mici, the largest field of mud volcanoes on the continent, offer unique landscapes. In 2021, a third site, the Boiling Pools at Beciu, was added to the list of locally protected areas by the Geopark team, adding a new attraction to this rare natural phenomenon.

A Sustainable Future for the UNESCO Geopark Buzău Land
The UNESCO Geopark Buzău Land not only protects these unique natural monuments but continues to develop educational and tourist strategies to harness their potential. On the occasion of this anniversary, the Geopark reaffirms its commitment to promoting science, education, and sustainable tourism in the area, ensuring that future generations will be able to discover and appreciate these unique natural phenomena.

Those interested in more information about the fascinating geological formation can download the free Guide to the Mud Volcanoes from the Buzau Land website.

100 yearsMud VolcanoesPaclele MariPaclele MiciUNESCO Geopark Buzau
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  • Panagiotis Spyridis

    The UNESCO Geopark Buz?u Land only accepts cash for entrance which is pathetic. Anyway, you tell the cashier in an angry way that you drove all the way from Bucharest and you didn’t know. He is understanding enough to let you in. Bravo.