- What are mud volcanoes?
- How many mud volcanoes are there on Earth?
- Are mud volcanoes dangerous to visit?
- What wildlife or plant species are found around mud volcanoes?
- What will you see at the Mud Volcanoes?
- The Boilers (Fierbători)
- The Great Mud Volcanoes
- The Small Mud Volcanoes
- Beciu
- Where to stay
- What legends do Berca Mud Volcanoes have?
| Type | Natural |
| Opening Hours | Summer: 8:00 – 20:00 Winter: 8:00 – 16:00 The Muddy Volcanoes nature reserve is closed and cannot be visited on rainy days or snowy days because the soil becomes extremely slippery. |
| Amenities | No restaurants, coffee shops, or souvenirs shops |
| Rules | You are not allowed to touch the cones and the liquid with your hands or feet You are not allowed inside the pet reservation It is forbidden to smoke or eat food inside the reservation |
| Tickets / Parking | 4 Ron / 1 Euro |
| Location | Berca, Romania, Europe |
What are mud volcanoes?
A mud volcano is a landform created by the eruption of mud or silt, water, and gases. Mud volcanoes do not produce lava.
The Mud Volcanoes of Berca, Romania are formed due to the accumulation of natural gases, mainly methane, below the Earth’s surface. The pressure builds up over time, forcing the gas, along with water and mud, to escape through vents in the ground. Mud ejected during these eruptions solidifies when exposed to air, creating cone-shaped structures.
How many mud volcanoes are there on Earth?
About 1100 mud volcanoes have been identified on Earth. Mud volcanoes may also exist on Mars.
Other mud volcanoes can be found in Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, and Italy but also in other countries.
The Berca Mud Volcanoes are second in size in Europe, after those of the Apseron-Baku Peninsula in Russia.
Are mud volcanoes dangerous to visit?
While mud volcanoes are generally not considered dangerous, visitors should be cautious, especially around active vents where mud and gas are being expelled. It is advisable to stay on designated paths and avoid approaching active mudflows. In addition, wearing appropriate footwear and prior information about the weather conditions are important things.
The Vulcanii Noroioși nature reserve is closed and cannot be visited on rainy or snowy days because the ground becomes extremely slippery.
What wildlife or plant species are found around mud volcanoes?
The surroundings of Berca mud volcanoes can host various species of plants and animals adapted to the unique conditions. These can include hardy plant species able to thrive in muddy, saline environment, as well as insects, birds, and small mammals that populate the surrounding landscape.
Among the plants that survive, despite the salty soil, we list Nitraria Schoberi and Obione Verrucifera.
Gărdurarița (Nitraria Shoberi) is a rare plant, a monument of nature, which is found only in the area of the Mud Volcanoes, Siberia, and Australia. Thus, the town of Berca is the westernmost point of its world range.
What will you see at the Mud Volcanoes?
The Berca Mud Volcanoes are divided into four zones.
The Boilers (Fierbători)
The Boilers (Fierbători) is one of the areas of the Berca Mud Volcanoes Natural Reserve. It is known for active mud volcanoes where visitors can witness continuous mud eruptions and bubbling mud pools. The name “Fierbători” translates as “cauldrons” or “hot springs”, reflecting the dynamic nature of this area.
The Great Mud Volcanoes
Pâclele Mari is another area in the reserve. It features a landscape dotted with mud cones and less active mud flows compared to the Boilers. Visitors to Pâclele Mari can still observe various mud formations and geological features while enjoying the scenic surroundings.
The Small Mud Volcanoes
Pâclele Mici is characterized by smaller mud volcanoes and less intense activity compared to larger areas such as Fierbători. Despite its name, Pâclele Mici still offers visitors a unique geological landscape to explore, with opportunities to observe mud formations and learn about the geological processes at work.
Beciu
Beciu is another area of the Berca Mud Volcanoes Natural Reserve. In Beciu, the volcanoes are located in a small area, near the Beciu-Arbanași road, and their activity consists mostly of boilers.
Where to stay
There are no hotels around the reserve. The nearest hotel is 5 km from the reserve. Other hotels are approximately 8 km away, in Berca.
Cob Village – an eco-friendly mini village with clay houses – Accommodation and Restaurant
Grigorescu Mansion – a small, family-owned guest house with a restaurant
Pensiunea Casa Matei, Berca – a very good small hotel with restaurant
Pensiunea Berca – Pension Berca is an agro-pension located in the center of Berca commune
What legends do Berca Mud Volcanoes have?
The Muddy Volcanoes have several legends: a legend that tells the story of a seven-headed dragon, the legend of the gates of hell, and the legend of a guardian and creator of the volcanoes.
