EMA monitors mud volcano in Cunupia

A hydrothermal mud volcano was recently discovered in Cunupia after the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) received a report of water and mud bubbling from a hole in the ground.

On visiting the site at Macaya Trace, Munroe Road, Cunupia, on Wednesday, staff of the EMA also found that the hole emitted steam and unknown pungent gas. They also noted that there were no nearby pipelines or infrastructure that would cause the event.

According to a release from the EMA, geologists and seismologists from the University of the West Indies visited the site on Thursday and determined that “subsurface waters are being heated along deep faults and brought up to the surface. This feature appears to be the first occurrence of this kind within the Caroni Basin.”

A check by the EMA, National Gas Company, and Tunapuna-Piarco Regional Corporation Saturday revealed that activity at the site had stopped and no toxic or flammable gases were detected.

However, the EMA would continue to monitor the site. The organisation also asked that residents continue to report any activity to the EMA’s Emergency number 680-9588 or email the Authority at complaints@ema.co.tt.