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Geography Institute: Strong gas emission observed during volcano eruption in Qaradag

13 October 2025 11:52 (UTC +04:00)

On October 11, in the morning hours – approximately between 08:30 and 09:10 – another eruption occurred at the Otman-Bozdag mud volcano, the H.A. Aliyev Geography Institute of the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan told APA.

The institute's staff conducted observations at the eruption site of the mud volcano.

Based on the initial observations made, it was concluded that during the eruption on October 11, a strong gas emission was observed, which caused the formation of a flame column rising to a considerable height.

"However, the ejected breccia material was not sufficient to form breccia flows running down the volcano slopes; the mud mass spread only within the boundaries of the crater area.

Unfortunately, due to difficult conditions, it was not possible to ascend to the volcano’s crater and carry out the necessary research.

The last eruption of the volcano was recorded in 2018. At that time, a large amount of breccia material was ejected during the eruption, and this material spread several kilometers along the southeast slope of the volcano, even reaching the highway.

According to a small survey conducted by researchers among local residents, a loud rumbling sound was heard during the eruption that occurred in 2018. However, no such sound was observed during this eruption,” it was reported.

It was noted that the Otman-Bozdag mud volcano is one of the largest and most active mud volcanoes in Azerbaijan. It is located approximately 40 km from Baku, near the Umid settlement of the Qaradag district. The volcano has a cone shape with a height of 400 meters, and its crater at the summit has a diameter of 300 meters. There are salzas and griffons operating here, periodically spewing a mixture of liquid mud, oil, and gas. The steep slopes of the volcano are dissected by deep ravines. As a result of numerous eruptions, strong mudflows of various ages extending several kilometers have formed on the slopes. Otman-Bozdag is part of the State Nature Reserve, which includes the mud volcano group of Baku and the Absheron Peninsula.

Otman-Bozdag Mud Volcano Azerbaijan Active Volcano Qaradag District Umid Settlement Baku Volcano Eruption Mudflows Salsas Gryphons State Nature Reserve Absheron Peninsula Volcanic Activity Geological Survey