Exploring the mud volcanoes

Trinidad's southern coastline is a focal point for geologists, rich with active mud volcanoes and oil and gas fields. Geophysicists are currently observing the effects of recent geological events on the seascape.

Residents recall past instances of volcanic islands emerging and subsiding, with notable events in 1911 and 1928, followed by more recent occurrences in 1964 and 2001. The area east of the mud volcano glacier at Anglais Point, the site of the latest 'island' emergence, has revived these memories.

“

in the immediate area of the Volca, waves rose high like mountains over undulating foothills. This is caused by the elevated presence of the Volca over the sea floor creating a shallow area for the water to climb over. They rise in a high roll but do not break.

An active underwater mass, known as 'The Volca,' was highlighted in 1999. This area, a favored spot for local fishermen targeting red fish, carite, and grouper, is characterized by hard red stones that necessitate the use of live bait instead of nets. Fishermen have long known about the constant crackling and bubbling beneath the surface, indicating subterranean activity.

More recently, a significant 6.9 magnitude earthquake in August 2018 caused the beach at Galfa to uplift by over three and a half meters. This area is also known for features like the smoking hill and fool's gold. Continued seismic activity, including recent doublet quakes in neighboring Venezuela, has led to further shoreline upliftment in Galfa, exceeding six meters in some sections, and has also triggered additional outflow activity at the mud glacier at Anglais.

“

this was a regular occurrence known to fishermen in the area.