Carp Mountain Mud Volcano Introduction
Carp Mountain, as the name suggests, is named for its shape resembling a carp. In early times, the peak of Carp Mountain would gush forth spring water, hence another nickname, "Boiling Water Mountain." The first known eruption of mud from Carp Mountain reportedly occurred over a hundred years ago during the Qing Dynasty, after which it entered a state of intermittent eruptions. Starting from the 77th year of the Republic of China, it has erupted almost every year, with the eruption site even shifting from the peak to the plains. From a geological perspective, the presence of natural gas, oil, water, and mud beneath the earth causes eruptions when the accumulated energy reaches a certain level. Carp Mountain is situated on an unstable fault line, which contributes to its spectacle of mud eruptions. During these eruptions, the rich natural gas ignites, creating towering flames that accompany the muddy water to spectacular effect, spouting fire columns up to several meters high. In recent years, the eruption points of the mud volcano have been located near the Huangyuan Holy Temple. According to religious beliefs, the temple was constructed under divine guidance, and a photo capturing the "Manifestation of the Golden Dragon" during an eruption hangs in the temple's main hall, adding a layer of legend to this natural wonder. Amazingly, the mud volcano’s eruption holes are not far from the temple, and although the temple is surrounded by rolling mud during each eruption, its structure remains unharmed. The mud volcano is in a state of unpredictable eruptions; even if one does not witness the spectacular eruptions of "Carp Mountain," the post-eruption mud pits and unique landscapes still warrant exploration.
