A sudden eruption of a mud volcano in the municipality of San Juan de Urabá, Antioquia (Colombia) set off alarm among residents on Wednesday afternoon, February 25.
The phenomenon, which sent sediment and a column of fire visible from several miles away, occurred near the municipal water treatment plant.
The Antioquia Administrative Department of Risk Management (Dagran) reported that, although the event occurred in an area with homes and critical infrastructure, no injuries or fatalities have been reported so far.
However, the eruption caused structural damage to the access road connecting San Juan with the village of Siete Vueltas and affected entry routes to Juancito Viejo. In addition to a precautionary power outage in the area, authorities reported the loss of animals trapped by the ejected material.
Travel between San Juan and San Juancito remains restricted after lateral cracks appeared in the road, posing a risk to pedestrians and heavy vehicles.
Additionally, as a precautionary measure, authorities ordered the immediate evacuation of at least four homes in the direct impact zone.
Geological Origin and Methane Gas Release
Unlike magmatic volcanoes, mud volcanoes in the Colombian Caribbean are the result of mud diapirism. This process occurs when clay sediments and organic matter buried at great depths generate gases under high pressure — primarily methane.
When internal pressure fractures the upper layers, the gas is released violently. The Colombian Geological Survey (SGC) explains that the observed fire is not lava, but rather the combustion of methane upon contact with the atmosphere or by the friction generated as materials are forced to the surface.
Although there is no molten rock flow, the main dangers are the blast wave and the instability of the surrounding ground.
Authorities say roads will not fully reopen and evacuated families will not be allowed to return until technical studies confirm the ground around the volcano is stable.
