Rabindranath Biswas
Diglipur, Feb. 08: After years of silence, a long-dormant mud volcano has dramatically reactivated, releasing vast quantities of mud, gas and water in a powerful geological event that has drawn both scientific attention and concern from local communities.
According to information, the mud volcano at Jal Tikrey, Shyamnagar village under Diglipur Tehsil— which remained inactive for more than two decades — began erupting yesterday afternoon, sending torrents of thick mud surging across the surrounding land. Witnesses described loud rumbling sounds followed by a sudden surge of mud that covered a wide area and formed a new mound reaching a few metres in height. The eruption has continued intermittently since the initial event, with fresh mud and gas emissions witnessed over subsequent hours.
The Zilla Parishad Member, Radhanagar constituency Shri Mahadeb Gain told Andaman Sheekha that the officials of the Forest Dept. and local Police personnel quickly responded and visited the volcano site soon after the information of dormant volacano’s sudden eruption. The mud volcano at Jal Tikrey reactivated yesterday at about 03:30 pm and started spewing huge quantities of mud, gas. This eruption of mud volcano at Jal Tikrey is reportedly recrudescing only after 2004, Shri Mahadeb Gain, who is a resident of the hamlet lying close to the volcano, said. While no serious injuries have been reported, the eruption has only attracted the attention of the scientists, the ZPM further added.
The event highlights the unpredictable nature of mud volcanoes — geological features that can remain quiescent for years yet retain the potential for sudden, dramatic activity. Geological experts usually explain that mud volcanoes are driven not by molten rock like traditional volcanoes, but by pressurised gases and fluids deep below the Earth’s surface. Over time, these gases — often methane — push up layers of water-rich mud, forcing it out through vents when pressure builds sufficiently. This process can lie dormant for years before suddenly reactivating without warning.
