Staff from the Seismic Research Unit took part in a boat trip on 28th July to investigate the sea disturbance near Radix Point. The observations confirmed that the cause of the disturbance was almost certainly an underwater mud volcano.
On this visit, the brown discoloration was drifting to the south east. It was not continuous and there were some discrete spots of muddy water, about 10 or 15 metres in diameter. There was no evidence of anything being forecefully ejected from the sea – all we saw were breaking waves. The waves were big enough to capsize a small boat, so no close-in observations were attempted.
30-View of the disturbance from Radix Point. Jul-07
Map showing the GPS track for the trip. The red dot shows the location that had been reported to us.
Waves breaking over the disturbance. At times the waves were more than two metres high.
Waves breaking over the disturbance.
Waves breaking over the disturbance – sometimes this kicks up spray that appears like a water jet.
A discrete region of muddy water.
Taking a water sample.
Waves breaking over the disturbance.
Waves breaking over the disturbance.
Setting off for home.
More information about mud volcanoes in Trinidad and Tobago can be found at the Geological Society of Trinidad and Tobago’s website (http://www.gstt.org/teaching/mud%20volcanoes.htm).
All photos courtesy: Rod Stewart, SRU.
