Liushishi Mud Volcano Introduction
Liushui Mountain, as the name suggests, is named for its shape resembling a carp. In the early days, because spring water would gush from the summit of Liushui Mountain, it was also known as Rolling Water Mountain. The first record of mud eruption from Liushui Mountain dates back to over a hundred years ago during the Qing Dynasty. Since then, it has exhibited intermittent eruptive activity, and starting from the 77th year of the Republic of China, it erupted almost every year, even shifting its eruption site from the mountain summit to the plains. From a geological perspective, due to the presence of natural gas, oil, water, and mud beneath the ground, when the energy accumulates to a certain level, it erupts through the cracks in the Earth's crust. Liushui Mountain is located on an unstable fault line, making it a site for this spectacular mud eruption. During the mud eruptions, the rich natural gas mixed with it ignites due to human intervention, creating towering columns of flames that shoot several meters high, forming a magnificent sight. In recent years, the mud volcano's eruption point has been around the Huangyuan Holy Temple. According to religious beliefs, this temple was constructed following divine instruction, and a photo depicting the "Golden Dragon Manifestation" captured during a mud eruption hangs in the hall of the Huangyuan Holy Temple. This adds a layer of legendary color to the natural phenomenon. Interestingly, the mud volcano's mud vents are located not far from the temple. Although the Huangyuan Holy Temple is often surrounded by flowing mud during eruptions, the temple’s structure remains completely unscathed and unaffected. The mud volcano has been in a state of sporadic eruptions. Even if one is unable to witness the miraculous mud eruption of "Liushui Mountain," the mud vents and unique geological features left behind after volcanic activity are still worth exploring.
