Muddy Volcanoes – General information

Summary

The Mud Volcanoes of Buzău are a fascinating natural phenomenon resulting from cold eruptions of mud and mineral gases. Water from deep underground (at about 3000 meters) mixes with underground gases, generating pressure and eruptions that push the mineral-laden mud to the surface. The result is a spectacular badland relief, with soils cracked into polygons and channelled into mudslides.

The phenomenon has attracted the attention of researchers since the 19th century – mud volcanoes in the area were first observed in 1867 by French geologist H. Cognand during oil explorations, later described by Grigore Cobălcescu (1883) and Grigore Ștefănescu (1890). The Big Pâclele, together with the Small Pâclele, have been declared monuments of nature since 1924, due to their geological and landscape importance. The sites in the area – declared monuments of nature since 1924 – are now part of the UNESCO Geopark “Ținutul Buzăului.”

Overview of the four sites:

• Palclele Mici: The most specular volcanic area. Located a short distance from Pâclele Mari, this plateau is characterized by the extraordinary density of mud volcanoes, where numerous lower cones and “boiling cones” create a “miniature volcanic field”, offering spectacular views, especially at sunset.
• Pacelele Mari: The most visited area, located on an arid plateau, home to the largest mud volcano in Europe, with active cones of 2-3 m.
• Boiling Volcanoes of Berca: Located at the northern edge of Berca, these formations are found among wooded hills, about 2 km above the village, in an area where oil installations also operate. Here, two small volcanic plateaus show craters of constantly boiling liquid mud, sometimes with crude oil on the surface, ideal for those keen to discover undeveloped natural phenomena (there is no tourist infrastructure
• Mud Volcanoes of Beciu (Boiling Volcanoes): Located in an isolated glen in the commune of Scorțoasa (village of Beciu), these are the most active mud pools in the area. Although the area is small (less than 1 hectare), the contrast between the green vegetation of the meadow and the intensely boiling mud offers a unique and almost meditative landscape.