Their location is listed on land near the city of Gobustan and in the underwater kingdom of the Caspian Sea. In total, Azerbaijan has approximately 350 of the 800 existing mud volcanoes in the world; Baku is ranked 1st in the world for this number. The very first eruption occurred as much as 25 million years ago.
The origin of volcanoes is interconnected with the formation of oil and gas condensate; rich deposits of them have been discovered in some areas. When making an excursion trip to the craters, you will definitely get a sea of different emotions and pleasant impressions. But you need to know that you can’t go close to volcanoes, because it’s dangerous, even if they look completely harmless.
Azerbaijan today is famous for the fact that its mud volcanoes are included in the list of “Seven Wonders of the World” and 23 of them have won the position National Park, which is now carefully guarded. The processes of eruptions and seething in the craters operate all year round. Sometimes eruptions can be accompanied by underground noise and large explosions. Gases escape from the depths of the volcano under strong pressure and immediately ignite. The height of the flame can reach up to 1000 meters above the volcano.
The landscape near mud volcanoes is more associated with something unearthly and fantastic, after visiting such amazing places, you will get the impression that you have been to the Moon or Mars. Even geologists have concluded that the structure of the mud volcanoes of Azerbaijan is similar to the surfaces of the planet Mars.
When visiting the cities of Azerbaijan, tourists will definitely admire and take photographs with such beautiful natural phenomena as mud volcanoes. When they erupt, dirt, liquid and lava come to the surface, which is actively used in chemistry, construction, pharmacology and even cosmetology. It is not surprising that mud has healing and beneficial features on the human body, because it contains useful microelements, such as iodine, bromine, boron, etc. These elements ensure the normal functioning of the human body.
When a person sees this extraordinary miracle of nature, two feelings arise simultaneously - admiration and fear. Visiting the country high mountains, ancient fortresses and flowering valleys, do not forget to visit the fantastic landscape with mud volcanoes.
Protection of mud volcanoes[ | ]
According to the head of the department of mud volcanism at the Institute of Geology of ANAS, Doctor of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences Adyl Aliyeva, for the creation of mud volcano reserves, those that stood out sharply in the terrain, were located at altitudes of up to 400 m, were actively active and were located on the Caspian coast were chosen , as well as near highways and populated areas.
To protect natural volcano monuments, district departments and environmental committees located near the volcanoes were involved. At the approaches to the volcanoes, protective inscriptions have already been installed, informing that these natural monuments are protected by the state and that polluting, destroying, and carrying out construction and other work near them is strictly prohibited.
Natural monuments[ | ]
In 1982, by decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 167, the Boyuk Kenizdag, Airanteken and Dashgil volcanoes, which are located in Gobustan, and the Lokbatan volcano in Lokbatan were granted the status of a natural monument.
State established in 2007 Nature Reserve the group of mud volcanoes of Baku and the Absheron Peninsula granted 52 mud volcanoes the status of a state reserve.
On September 15, 2004, the largest mud volcano in the world, located on the territory of Azerbaijan, was included in the Guinness Book of Records.
In 2009, mud volcanoes claimed a place on the list of "Seven Natural Wonders of the World".
Underwater mud volcanoes[ | ]
"Toragai"
There are also marine mud volcanoes in Azerbaijan - there are over 140 such volcanoes in the Caspian Sea. On the Baku archipelago, 8 islands appeared as a result of the activity of mud volcanoes.
Origin [ | ]
Mud volcanoes appeared on the territory of the present Republic of Azerbaijan 25 million years ago.
Mud volcanoes are associated in origin with oil and gas fields. Rich deposits of gas condensate and oil have been discovered in areas of mud volcanoes (Lokbatan, Garadag, Oil Rocks, Mishovdag, etc.). In addition, the mud and liquid that mud volcanoes erupt are used as raw materials for the chemical and construction industries, as well as pharmaceuticals.
Folk names[ | ]
Along with the geographical term - “mud volcanoes”, they are also popularly called “yanardag” (burning mountain), “pilpilya” (terrace), “gainacha” (boiling water), “bozdag” (gray mountain).
Eruption of mud volcanoes[ | ]
Mud volcanoes of Azerbaijan
On January 26, 2017, the Akhtarma-Pashaly volcano, considered one of the largest in Azerbaijan, erupted in the Hajigabul region. It is located 35 km southeast of the city of Shirvan. The eruption continued until the morning; a jet of flame 30-35 meters high was thrown into the sky.
Airanteken [ | ]
This is a periodically erupting mud volcano, many of whose eruptions were accompanied by underground explosions and flames that sometimes reached 500 m in height. The Airanteken volcano, which has a plateau shape, is located 65 km southwest of the capital, on a hill with a height of 190 m. The first eruptions occurred in 1964-1990, as a result of which mud volcanic flows poured down the southern slope. There are 4 groups of mud volcanic manifestations here. The first is located in the southwestern part of the hill and is characterized by oil-producing griffins. The second, larger group, is located to the northwest of the modern volcanic eruption and is characterized by many active microforms, the height of which reaches 5-10 meters. Around the volcanic field there are several cracks, the length of which reaches 700-800 m, and the depth - 2-3 m. The total volume of breccia reaches approximately 500 million m3, and the area of the breccia cover is about 805 hectares. Many oil-bearing rocks could be found in mud volcanic eruptions.
Bahar [ | ]
This volcano, which has an oval shape, is located 55 km southwest of Baku, in the Alyat zone. It rises 45 m above the area. The first eruption here occurred in 1853, and the most recent in 1993. There were a total of 8 eruptions. About 30 active microforms were recorded on the volcanic field.
Goturdag [ | ]
The volcano is located 70 km southwest of the capital and only 3 km from the Airanteken volcano. The diameter of the volcano is more than 150 m, and the depth reaches 15-20 m. The average eruption power of this volcano is 130 m. Goturdag differs in its manifestation from other volcanoes of Azerbaijan. The mud is squeezed out of the field like paste from a tube, and then, breaking, slides down the slope of the volcano. For the first time such a spectacle was observed here in 1926. This process continued until 1966. After this, regular eruptions occurred in October 1966 and spring 1970. The area of the breccia cover is 408 hectares, and the total volume of breccia carried out by the volcano reaches 530 million m3.
Delangez [ | ]
This volcano is located 65 km southwest of the city of Baku, not far from another mud volcano, Dashgil. The area of distribution of breccia of the Delyangyaz volcano is 550 hectares, and the average thickness of the cover is 30 m. The volcano is represented by two groups of microforms. The first is located in the eastern part of the crater rim, where low hills and griffins emit gas, water, mud with oil particles. The second group is located 500 m from the first and has a relatively high height (more than 10 m) of hills and griffins. Second group on this moment active.
Lokbatan [ | ]
Elk [ | ]
Otman-Bozdag[ | ]
The volcano erupted on the morning of September 23, 2018. The height of the flame was 200-300 meters. Many cracks up to 40 meters deep appeared in the area
A trip to the mud volcanoes and Gobustan Petroglyphs Park is the most popular one-day trip from Baku ( 60 km South). If you have already seen enough, you can safely go to Gobustan.
This is the case when the popularity of a place is 100% justified. I recommend not to miss it if you are planning to visit Azerbaijan. In addition to Gobustan, in the vicinity of Baku you can visit the temple of fire worshipers and the burning mountain. I talked about these places in other posts.
On the Google map and in maps.me it is not clear where exactly you need to go in Gobustan. There is no road to the volcanoes at all, so the post contains a map that marks all the key points worth visiting in Gobustan.
What to see in Gobustan ↓
Walking to the mud volcanoes of Gobustan
Theoretically, you can walk to the volcanoes in order to save money. Then you need to get off bus 195 on the highway not near Gobustan, but drive further to the point with coordinates 39.991143, 49.429875
You will have to walk through the mud for about 20 minutes. But this method has not been tested by me, so I don’t know what obstacles may arise on the way. From the volcanoes you can clearly see the sea and the highway. Visually close.
If you have hiked to volcanoes, please tell us, in just a few words, how it was and how many minutes/hours/days it took? took a walk.
Mud volcanoes of Gobustan
Entry is free
Azerbaijan ranks first in the world in terms of the number of mud volcanoes. There are as many as 350 of them here (there are about 800 in total in the world).
Our taxi driver's translator said that the mud only started spewing out of the ground in this particular area 50 years ago.
Drive by car to the volcanic field 15-20 minutes along the dirt road from the village of Gobustan. There are no signs.
During heavy rains can't get there because the road is washed out, you might get stuck. We drove safely in a sedan (Mercedes), despite the fact that it rained last night. The road dried out within a day.
We drive through the mud to small volcanoes Along the way we saw several lakes and endless garbage dumps. And also tourists who got stuck in the mud because they took the wrong road.
Dead salt lakes When you approach by car, you can first see a couple of dozen small volcanoes that hiss and gurgle loudly.
Small volcanoes Somewhere 200 meters towards the sea there is a lonely larger volcano (the coolest one), next to it there is a lake with gray dirty water, also healing.
During our visit to the volcanoes there were two excursion groups; they arrived in jeeps. No one but us went to the distant volcano and to the lake, and that’s where all the most worthwhile things are.
The depth of this large volcano 3000 meters, the diameter of the crater is three meters. The biggest bubbles are here.
Lonely big volcano 
This volcano is the most active, with large bubbles If you want to smear yourself with volcanic mud (the mud is cold), then it is better to do it in a large volcano, so that you can then go down to the lake and wash yourself.
Or you need to bring a canister of water with you. The dirt cannot be wiped off with napkins, and there is nowhere else to get water except in the mud lake.
The lake is also gurgling due to gas. Sometimes they bathe in it. We measured the depth with a stick. It was about a meter and a half from the shore, the water was warm.
Lake near a large volcano. From here it seems that the sea is very close, but this is an optical illusion Petroglyph Museum of Gobustan
Entrance - 2 manats
Parking — 1 manat
How long does it take - 1 hour to the museum and walk through the archaeological complex
A visit to mud volcanoes is usually combined with a trip to the Petroglyph Museum under open air. The taxi drivers and I agreed in advance that we wanted volcanoes and a museum. As a result, after the volcanoes they brought us to the museum house.
The history of Gobustan and Azerbaijan is described in the museum building, and some exhibits (pots, jewelry) are collected.
Museum building We went into the house, the taxi driver's translator told us what and how. And I can’t wait to see drawings of dancing men on the mountain, and not museum exhibits. We leave the museum. I ask where the real drawings are.
— You wanted a museum, we showed you the museum, but there was no talk about drawings. This is at additional cost
At this moment I became very angry. That's really, really strong. It’s a no brainer that people don’t come to Gobustan for clay pots. I told the taxi drivers everything I thought about their behavior.
The men thought and said to Misha:
- Okay, we’ll take you to the Petroglyphs for free. Just so she doesn't get angry
They made me look like Baba Yaga. It's your own fault.
After the mud volcanoes, the Petroglyph Museum did not evoke any special emotions in me, but most people have the opposite reaction. Who likes what.
2 kilometers from the museum there are rock paintings The most interesting thing in Gobustan is on the open-air street, where you can see ancient drawings on the stones. You could safely skip the museum altogether.
The stones depict people and animals Mount Garatly vava
And now about why I came to the Petroglyph Museum so angry at the taxi drivers.
When we descended from the volcanoes, happy and inspired, I saw a beautiful white mountain in the rays of the sun. There is shadow and gray everywhere, but she really glows. I ask what is there.
- Oh, there’s such a thing on the mountain! — our Azerbaijani perked up
- So what’s there anyway?
- You won’t tell. Must see. Holy place. Want to?
- What is the price?
— 10 manat
I suddenly felt sick as soon as we drove past the barrier and began to climb the mountain. I really felt that there was no need to go there, but we had already agreed, it would be inconvenient to turn around. So curiosity and a tongue not restrained by modesty led me straight into the arms of the cave witch.
We've arrived. The views are unforgettable, but there are bloody guts lying on the ground, flies hovering, and the smell of manure. A dark-skinned midget peeks out from a crumbling house. A grandmother sits on the porch in a scarf and woolen socks, knitting something.
We immediately ran higher up the mountain and looked at the sea. They didn’t even pay attention to this grandmother. We crawled over the rocks and took pictures, but there was still no understanding of why we came here and why we paid 10 manats.
The landscapes there are gorgeous Here the taxi driver’s translator starts talking about children. Since I don’t have them, I have to go into the hole in the mountain three times and then come out.
Thank you, I say, for your concern, kind man, but I don’t see anything like that either in my thoughts or in my dreams. And I definitely won’t climb into the hole above the cliff because of some of your local superstitions.
Okay, it’s beautiful in the mountains, but the sun will set soon. We need to go to the Petroglyphs. We go to the car, and the taxi drivers are already sitting in the cave with their grandmother, whispering. They call us to come in, but they leave. There is a coffin there and there are ropes hanging on the walls. We try to get out, but no. You need to stay inside!
And we are polite. It is rude to refuse an elderly woman. We stay with her, although we don’t understand a damn thing what’s happening.
- There's something on your heart, right?
Of course I have something on my heart. I’m happy on my way from the volcanoes, but here they drag me into a dark hole in the rock and won’t let me out.
She told me to stand next to you. Made a ring of multi-colored threads and let’s entangle us. She threw this ring over her head five times, and then lowered it down to her feet. We step over the threads, get out of the ring, and she again. And he whispers something in Azerbaijani. The stone hits me painfully on my back.
We try to maintain a serious appearance, but it is difficult. Misha doesn’t believe in conspiracies or shamans, it’s easier for him. And I generally believe in everything, I tensed up.
Then Aunt twisted the match into a napkin and hung it on a thread on a nail in the rock. Points to my stomach. He keeps saying, come next year with your little one. 25 manats from you. WTF? How small and what 25 manats?
The witch knits a ring from threads It turned out that weddings are held on this mountain, and also those who come here “who do not have children, but immediately after the mountain are born.” These are the cunning Azerbaijanis. If they had immediately told us what mountain it was, we wouldn’t have gone anywhere.
So by chance, out of the kindness of your heart, you go to visit a strange woman, and she mutters to you and demands more money for it. I understand why people are afraid of language barriers. Now I'm afraid myself. So think about what she whispered there.
But business is not bad if it costs 25 manats from each gullible person ( 15$ ) takes 3 minutes.
Here you had to throw stones into the hole to get rid of problems. What people can't come up with The aftertaste after visiting the mountain was terrible. I was gone all evening. Although I fully admit that there is a demand for such services. As I understand it, local residents they know about this mountain and come here often.
Gobustan volcanoes and dancing men for us!
Your Mila Demenkova
As you know, there are three attractions in Azerbaijan - Baku (the plane flies there), Khinalig (a village located at an altitude of 2200 meters above the level of bustle and life, they drink tea there), and the mud volcanoes of Gobustan (there is dirt and greyness). Today I invite you to trample through the mud, and we will get acquainted with the rest of the sights another time. Go.
So how to get there. From the center of Baku you need to take bus 5. It runs every five minutes and is paid for transport card, which operates on the metro and on beautiful red buses. The card can be purchased at the terminal at the bus stop. The terminal only understands Azerbaijani, so when purchasing, some kind of mess will probably happen. For example, instead of a disposable card, we took a permanent one, and even added 10 manats to it, and the cost of travel on the bus was 20 qepik. At the final stop “20. Sahә” you need to transfer to bus 195 and ask the driver to tell you when Gobustan will be, or follow the navigator. The fare costs 80 qepik in cash.
As you exit the bus, you fall into the clutches of huckster taxi drivers who are ready to take you to the museum. The fact is that Gobustan among tourists is primarily famous for its reserve with rock paintings, but we don’t need to go there. Having learned that we wanted to go to the volcanoes, the taxi driver asked for 30 manats, although the red price for this trip was ten. Since we don’t speak Azerbaijani, and the taxi driver speaks Russian, and the weather was really disgusting, we somehow agreed on twenty.
5 minutes along the highway, 10 along a dirt road, and here we are.
Mud volcanoes are not as large as the ordinary volcanoes we are accustomed to. Most of them are slides several meters high. 
In the summit crater of a mud volcano there is a mud lake in which mud gurgles. 
When the crater overflows, a mud-lava flow begins to flow along the slope of the volcano. The mud is slowly drying up, the volcano is growing. 
Here, for example, is a recently solidified lava flow and, for scale, people on the slope of a volcano. 
Everything around is also covered in volcanic mud. If you step in mud that is not completely frozen, you can get really stuck. Mud has unique properties - building materials, medicines, and cosmetics are made from it. 
Azerbaijan ranks first in the world in terms of the number of mud volcanoes. The Internet says that there are about 800 mud volcanoes in the world. About 350 of them are located in Azerbaijan. 
In addition, underwater mud volcanoes are also found in Azerbaijan. In the Baku archipelago, 8 islands are classified as mud volcanoes in origin. 
In their normal state, mud volcanoes slowly gurgle with mud, but sometimes real eruptions occur with flames emitted to a height of up to a thousand meters. This is all due to the fact that mud volcanoes are located in oil and gas fields. 
The weather was rainy, so the mud in the craters was especially liquid. 
Lava flow. 
There was a fierce wind and hellish cold outside, after running for 20 minutes between the craters, we climbed into the car and rushed back to Gobustan, where we managed to catch the same bus returning to the city. 
The main purpose of our trip to Azerbaijan was to mix the mud of Gobustan and Khinalig on our boots, which is what we will do soon.
Category: Miscellaneous. Tags: , .March 17, 2014
Azerbaijan is a country of high mountains, flowering valleys and ancient fortresses. The mud volcanoes of Azerbaijan are extraordinary natural wonders that are found throughout the country. Even the Caspian in its depths shelters more than 150 unusual volcanoes, pouring out mud, lava and liquid.
Fantastic landscape next to us Azerbaijan is the epicenter of the world's largest concentration of amazing volcanoes. Almost half of these volcanic formations are located on ancient land
Azerbaijan.
Clusters of volcanoes, erupting in addition to lava, gurgling mud, splashes of water, form extraordinary landscapes, very reminiscent.
Strange, grayish-black craters, uneven surface, sediments of various shapes and thicknesses. The landscape is truly unearthly.
Many tourists who come on holiday to Azerbaijan and visit volcanoes that spew mud flows from their depths take souvenir photos next to numerous craters. And then they proudly say that they were “on the moon.”
State of mud volcanoes in Azerbaijan These restless hills show volcanic activity
all year round. Over the past two centuries, more than 200 eruptions of varying strength have occurred in these areas. Scientists suggest that 25 million years ago the first volcano awoke in the territory that is now modern Azerbaijan.
NASA geologists, who came to this beautiful region and explored the fountains of mud mixture erupting from the depths of the earth, made an astonishing discovery. The structure of local volcanoes resembles the hot Martian hills. Mars and volcanoes are similar in many ways!
And although the area, where there are many volcanoes producing hot mud, is not particularly beautiful, thousands of tourists come here to look at the bubbling “breath of the Earth”.
Protection of natural formations in Azerbaijan
23 amazing fountains, throwing up a lot of dirt, are united in and are the property of not only the Azerbaijani people, but also a value for the whole world. natural phenomenon, which causes both fear and admiration at the same time.
Mud volcanoes of Azerbaijan photo
