Taiwan's Wandan Township Sees Fiery Mud Volcano Eruption Near Historic Temple

A fiery mud volcano erupted in front of Huangyuan Temple in Pingtung County's Wandan Township, spewing mud and flames for approximately three hours and sending slurry flowing into nearby agricultural fields. The early morning event, which occurred around 5 a.m. on Wednesday, marked the second eruption this year and featured five distinct vents propelling material up to two meters high.

The dramatic geological spectacle unfolded in southern Taiwan, with local officials and temple authorities quickly responding to the incident. Temple abbot Chang Pao-hui confirmed that the previous eruption had taken place just six months ago, according to reporting by CNA.

Mud volcanoes, a natural phenomenon in the region, occur when underground gases like methane build up pressure, mix with groundwater, and force a slurry of mud to the surface through rock fissures.

Wannei Village Chief Chen Yu-yi sprang into action upon receiving reports of the eruption. "After receiving reports of the eruption, I quickly arrived at the scene," Chief Chen stated. His immediate concern was protecting the livelihood of local farmers, so he coordinated efforts to dig diversion channels that would prevent the viscous mud from flooding and damaging surrounding farmland. This quick response helped mitigate potential agricultural losses in the area.

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The Wandan mud volcano has been a recurring feature of the local landscape for decades, with recorded eruptions happening at least once annually since 1988. Located near the border of Wandan and Xinyuan townships, these geological formations can vary dramatically in scale—from small features just meters across to massive structures spanning several kilometers in diameter and reaching heights of hundreds of meters. While scientifically fascinating, these eruptions pose practical challenges for residents.

According to information from local officials reported by Taiwan News, predicting these eruptions remains difficult despite their regularity. The events most commonly occur in Wannei Village or adjacent areas, keeping communities in a state of watchful anticipation. The combination of fire and mud creates a particularly striking visual, especially when it emerges in culturally significant locations like the grounds of Huangyuan Temple, where spiritual practice and natural phenomena intersect in unexpected ways.

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