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Azerbaijan's Mud Volcanoes: A Unique Geological Wonder

Explore Azerbaijan's otherworldly mud volcanoes: a unique geological phenomenon offering a fascinating glimpse into the Earth's depths.

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Azerbaijan is home to a remarkable number of the world's mud volcanoes. These formations, resembling miniature volcanoes, erupt mud rather than lava, creating a surreal, otherworldly landscape that attracts tourists and scientists alike. They offer a fascinating glimpse into the Earth's geological processes.

A brief summary to Mud volcanoes

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Local tips

  • Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking on uneven, muddy terrain.
  • Bring wet wipes or water for cleaning hands and shoes after touching the mud.
  • Combine your visit with a trip to the nearby Gobustan National Park to see ancient petroglyphs.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From Baku, take bus number 195 from Azneft Square to the Gobustan House of Culture. The bus ride takes approximately 45 minutes and costs 1.30 AZN. From there, hire a local taxi to the Mud Volcanoes Tourism Complex. A taxi should cost around 20 AZN.

  • Taxi

    A taxi directly from Baku to the Mud Volcanoes Tourism Complex takes approximately 1 hour and 23 minutes. Expect to pay between 29-35 AZN. Alternatively, many tour operators in Baku offer day trips to Gobustan and the mud volcanoes.

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Discover more about Mud volcanoes

Azerbaijan boasts the highest concentration of mud volcanoes in the world, with over 300 of the 800 known mud volcanoes located within its borders. These geological formations, often dwarfed in comparison to their lava-spewing cousins, offer a unique and captivating spectacle. Instead of molten rock, they erupt a cool, thick mud, creating a constantly shifting landscape of bubbling pools and conical mounds. The mud volcanoes are primarily found on the Absheron Peninsula and in the Gobustan region, about an hour's drive southwest of Baku. The eruptions are caused by underground gases pushing mud and water to the surface, a process linked to the region's rich oil and gas deposits. Some of the escaping gases ignite, creating perpetual flames that may have contributed to the rise of Zoroastrianism in Azerbaijan over 2,000 years ago. Visitors can explore these mud volcanoes up close, walking around the gryphons and even touching the cool mud. The landscape is constantly changing as new eruptions occur, making each visit a unique experience. The nearby Gobustan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, features ancient petroglyphs, making it easy to combine a visit to both attractions.

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