‘World's smallest volcano' bubbling gases & sludge discovered by locals after bursting from the ground in Peru
Mysterious substances were found oozing out of the tiny geological formation in the city of Cusco, southern Peru.
Advertisement
6
A mound, touted as the world's smallest volcano, was discovered near Cusco in Peru
Credit: Jam Press
6
The feature generated a lot of interest, so had to be cordoned off
Credit: Jam Press
6
It has a crater, just like classic volcanoes, which was emitting gas and substances
Credit: Jam Press
6
A group of locals stumbled across a raised, blackened mound around 60cm tall in the
It looks like a small pimple in the
earth
's crust.
It has a shallow conical shape - just like classic volcanoes - and a crater at the peak.
Material has evidently been seeping from the top and down the sides, before solidifying to form a hard, dark casing.
Advertisement
read more in world news
The whole structure stretches over just a few square metres.
Locals reported that gases and other unknown substances were seeping from the mouth.
The villagers promptly declared it the 'smallest volcano in the world".
Wearing a traditional poncho, community leader, Arturo Mamani, dubbed it "The Eagle's Eye".
Advertisement
Most read in The US Sun
Mamani and his
family
left traditional offerings of coca leaves at the base as a gesture of respect.
The mountain town hit the headlines the following day, and a growing number of curious spectators visited to take a look.
Mount Lewotobi volcano erupts sending 60,000ft ash column skywards
After learning of the extraordinary feature, the authorities cordoned off the area and called in the experts.
Hernando Tavera, head of the Geophysical Institute of
Peru
(IGP), said The Eagle's Eye is not in fact a volcanic vent, but rather a small cone of earth, clay and water known as a mud volcano.
Advertisement
He said it is a natural structure where mud, water, and dissolved gases emerge from lower levels of soil.
It does not involve magma or any volcanic activity.
Tavera explained: 'This type of phenomenon occurs when gases such as methane, carbon dioxide, and others make their way to the surface and carry clay sediments mixed with groundwater.
'The result is a mound with a central hole, a cone with a crater, which leads to it being considered a 'volcano' due to its shape.
Advertisement
'However, its origin, type of activity, and the materials it emits bear no relation to the active
volcanoes
found in the south of the country.'
Although it does not pose a volcanic risk, Tavera warned that it could negatively impact the environment - with the potential to contamination of nearby water sources and crops.
The IGP is continuing to monitor the mud volcano, also known as a mud dome, to determine if it poses any kind of risk to the local community.
6
It is in fact a 'mud volcano', where mud, water and dissolved gases emerge from subterranean soil layers
Credit: Jam Press
Advertisement
6
An expert has since explained there is no volcanic activity or magma in the 'mud volcano'
Credit: Jam Press
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- The Irish Sun
‘World's smallest volcano' bubbling gases & sludge discovered by locals after bursting from the ground in Peru
A VOLCANO touted as the smallest in the world has been discovered - and it's shorter than a set of cricket stumps. Mysterious substances were found oozing out of the tiny geological formation in the city of Cusco, southern Peru. Advertisement 6 A mound, touted as the world's smallest volcano, was discovered near Cusco in Peru Credit: Jam Press 6 The feature generated a lot of interest, so had to be cordoned off Credit: Jam Press 6 It has a crater, just like classic volcanoes, which was emitting gas and substances Credit: Jam Press 6 A group of locals stumbled across a raised, blackened mound around 60cm tall in the It looks like a small pimple in the earth 's crust. It has a shallow conical shape - just like classic volcanoes - and a crater at the peak. Material has evidently been seeping from the top and down the sides, before solidifying to form a hard, dark casing. Advertisement read more in world news The whole structure stretches over just a few square metres. Locals reported that gases and other unknown substances were seeping from the mouth. The villagers promptly declared it the 'smallest volcano in the world". Wearing a traditional poncho, community leader, Arturo Mamani, dubbed it "The Eagle's Eye". Advertisement Most read in The US Sun Mamani and his family left traditional offerings of coca leaves at the base as a gesture of respect. The mountain town hit the headlines the following day, and a growing number of curious spectators visited to take a look. Mount Lewotobi volcano erupts sending 60,000ft ash column skywards After learning of the extraordinary feature, the authorities cordoned off the area and called in the experts. Hernando Tavera, head of the Geophysical Institute of Peru (IGP), said The Eagle's Eye is not in fact a volcanic vent, but rather a small cone of earth, clay and water known as a mud volcano. Advertisement He said it is a natural structure where mud, water, and dissolved gases emerge from lower levels of soil. It does not involve magma or any volcanic activity. Tavera explained: 'This type of phenomenon occurs when gases such as methane, carbon dioxide, and others make their way to the surface and carry clay sediments mixed with groundwater. 'The result is a mound with a central hole, a cone with a crater, which leads to it being considered a 'volcano' due to its shape. Advertisement 'However, its origin, type of activity, and the materials it emits bear no relation to the active volcanoes found in the south of the country.' Although it does not pose a volcanic risk, Tavera warned that it could negatively impact the environment - with the potential to contamination of nearby water sources and crops. The IGP is continuing to monitor the mud volcano, also known as a mud dome, to determine if it poses any kind of risk to the local community. 6 It is in fact a 'mud volcano', where mud, water and dissolved gases emerge from subterranean soil layers Credit: Jam Press Advertisement 6 An expert has since explained there is no volcanic activity or magma in the 'mud volcano' Credit: Jam Press
The Irish Sun
07-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Incredible ancient lost city from 3,500-years-ago home to the Americas' oldest civilization uncovered in Peru
AN ANCIENT city that is over 3,500 years old has been unearthed in Peru. The ancient city of Peñico is thought to have been a vital link between early Pacific coast settlements and remote communities deep in the Advertisement 4 Aerial view of the archaeological zone in the northern Barranca province as archaeologists on Thursday unveiled a 3,500-year-old city in Peru Credit: Reuters 4 It is believed to date back to between 1,800 and 1,500 BC Credit: Reuters 4 Archaeologists say the discovery sheds light on what became of the Americas' oldest civilisation Credit: Reuters Located in the northern Barranca province - around 120 miles north of It is believed to date back to between 1,800 and 1,500 BC - around the period that early civilisations were flourishing in the Incredible Advertisement After eight years of research 18 structures were found including ceremonial temples and residential complexes. Objects were also discovered in buildings at the site including ceremonial objects, clay sculptures of human and animal figures and necklaces made from beads and seashells. Peñico is located close to where Caral was established 5,000 years ago in the Supe valley of Recognised as the oldest known civilisation in the Americas, Caral features 32 monuments. Advertisement Most read in The US Sun This includes large pyramid structures, sophisticated irrigation agriculture and urban settlements. It is believed to have developed in isolation to other comparative early civilisations in Ancient Pompeii home unseen for 2,000 YEARS finally unearthed Dr Ruth Shady, the She told the Reuters news agency that the Peñico community was "situated in a strategic location for trade, for exchange with societies from the coast, the highlands and the jungle." Advertisement Archaeologist Marco Machacuay, a researcher with the Ministry of Culture, unveiled the findings at news conference on Thursday. He said that Peñico's importance lies in it being a continuation of the Caral society. Many of the Americas' most significant archaeological discoveries have been found in Peru. This includes the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in the Andes and the mysterious Nazca lines etched into the desert in southern Peru. Advertisement 4 Peñico is believed to have developed in isolation to other comparative early civilisations Credit: Reuters
The Irish Sun
29-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Huge stone temple built 1,000 years ago uncovered in mountains – and reveals secrets of ancient civilisation
A MASSIVE stone temple built 1,000 years ago has been uncovered, revealing the secrets of an ancient civilisation. The historic structure, known as Palaspata, was discovered in a remote part of South America and is thought to have been built by the Tiwanaku civilisation. Advertisement 3 A huge stone temple built 1,000 years ago has revealed the secrets of the Tiwanaku civilisation Credit: Cambridge University Press 3 The enormous area where the temple once sat Credit: Cambridge University Press 3 The ancient civilisation lived around Lake Titicaca in western Bolivia Credit: Cambridge University Press Sitting on top of a ridge near Lake Titicaca, in western Bolivia, the temple is an impressive feat of craftsmanship. But due to its remote location, researchers only spotted the area when they spotted unusual shapes in satellite photos. Drone 3D imaging confirmed the ancient site with researchers believing it provides key insight into the Tiwanaku civilisation. The ancient society was a powerful Andean civilisation that existed around 400 to 1000 CE. Advertisement Read more on World Researchers say Tiwanaku individuals formed part of a "highly organised societal structure", which left behind remnants of impressive monuments including pyramids, temples and monoliths. Most of these are located in sites around Lake Titicaca. Though little remains of it now, researchers believe the temple once housed an advanced irrigation system, and fine art and pottery before disappearing around 1000 AD. The site measures around 410 feet long by 476 wide and features 15 rooms which encircle a central courtyard. Advertisement Most read in The US Sun Archaeologists suggest over 20,000 people may have inhabited the area, believing it to have been a "strategic hub" or "entry point" for trade. It is believed the temple enabled access to a number of goods and foods. Bible archaeologists discover ancient relic that may 'prove the existence of legendary warrior from holy book' Lead researcher José Capriles told the "This was a place where people, goods, and gods all crossed paths." Advertisement The discovery comes just weeks after an ancient Mayan city was discovered by archaeologists in northern Guatemala. The nearly 3,000-year-old remains include remarkable pyramids and monuments that appear to be "sculpted with unique iconography". This Los Abuelos gets its name from two human-like sculptures of an "ancestral couple" found there. Advertisement These figures "could be linked to ancient ritual practices of ancestor worship", the ministry added. The city is likely to have been "one of the most ancient and important ceremonial centres" of Mayan civilisation. Monuments unearthed at the site have been dated to the Middle Preclassic period of 800-500 BC, while the city itself "presents remarkable architectural planning". The city covers an area of around six square miles and is found in Guatemala's northern Petén department. Advertisement Researchers also found a 108 foot high pyramid nearby that had Preclassic murals and "a unique canal system". "Archaeological investigations have included the active participation of Guatemalan and international professionals, with the support of the Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia," a ministry spokesperson said.
