PubTalk 1/2008 — The Indonesian Mud Crisis

Long-lived mud "eruption" inundates housing and infrastructure

By Thomas J. Casadevall, Geologist

In May, 2006 hot, dark mud appeared from a fissure covering more than 10 square kilometers, displacing more than 30,000 people. The ongoing mud extrusion has also damaged or broken important transportation and communication infrastructure, displaced an oil pipeline, caused the closure of numerous factories, and impacted agricultural development.

The USGS was invited for a fact-finding visit to assess the ongoing geological, social, economic, and political issues associated with the mud extrusion.