Mud Volcano Appears Off Trinidad Coast, Likely Triggered by Venezuela Earthquakes

A striking geological event has occurred off Trinidad's southern coast, with the emergence of a new mud volcano. Scientists believe this formation is a direct consequence of the powerful earthquakes that recently shook northeastern Venezuela on June 24. The newly formed island, rising about four meters above the seabed, is located approximately 2.5 kilometers east of Beach Camp in Palo Seco.

Geoscientist Xavier Moonan confirmed the discovery, describing the volcano as being composed primarily of soft clay expelled from beneath the ocean floor. The formation also contains embedded rock fragments and larger calcite-rich rocks that bear a resemblance to coral in some areas. Notably, the islet is already experiencing erosion from wave action, with initial images suggesting about a third of the island has been washed away by the waves.

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According to the initial images, approximately one-third of the island has already been washed away by the waves.

Researchers from the University of the West Indies' Seismic Research Centre, the Institute of Marine Affairs, and the consultancy ResiLog Limited are actively analyzing mud samples collected from the site. Their goal is to ascertain the age and precise origin of the expelled material. Neil Sookram, from Southwest Adventures, who is credited as one of the first to spot the island, noted that the clay on the surface has begun to harden, while the island's upper structure remains consistent.

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Therefore, it is very likely that this mud extrusion was caused by the recent earthquakes in Venezuela.

This mud volcano's appearance follows closely on the heels of another significant geological change confirmed by geologists: a six-meter coastal uplift at Galfa Point in Cedros, also attributed to the Venezuelan earthquakes. This uplift caused parts of the seabed to rise above sea level, permanently altering sections of Trinidad's southwestern coastline.

However, Moonan clarified that the mud island represents a different geological process than the coastal uplift observed at Galfa. Unlike the latter, the beaches and nearby cliffs show no signs of damage or movement, indicating that the mud volcano event, while triggered by the same earthquakes, is not a landslide phenomenon like those seen at Galfa or Los Iros. In Los Iros, the earthquakes caused damage to agricultural land, drained ponds due to ground fissures, and impacted roads, homes, and coastal infrastructure.

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The beach and nearby cliffs show no damage, uplift, or any type of movement.