Wushanding Mud Volcano Nature Reserve

Information

Date of Proclamation	March 12, 1992
Size of Area (ha)	4.89
Primary Object for Protection	Volcano Topographical Scenery
Scope of Administration	Yien-Tzao [Swallow Nest] Township, Kaohisung County
Authority in-charge-of	Kaohsiung County Government

Origin

This spot is the most concentrated area for mud gushes from the volcanic craters in Taiwan; with the greatest amount of mud awl found here. In recent years, as of its spectacular view, the landscape of volcano has been exposed to wreckage. To protect this specific scenery, the Council of Agriculture has, according to the Cultural Heritage Preservation Act in March 1992 officiated the area as the “Wushanding Mud Volcano Nature Reserve”.

Location

This reserve is located near Jin-Shan [Gold Mountain] Village–Yien-Tzao [Swallow Nest] Township–Kaohsiung County; the property of the land is owned by Shen-Shuei [Deep Water] Ranch of Kaohsiung County.

An Introduction

• Temperature：Mud gushed from volcanic awls with an average temperature around 28℃.
• Altitude above sea level：This area is situated on a platform of 150 m wide, 200 m long; and around 175 m above sea level.
• Geology： found in the neighborhood of southern south-west sections of the coastal mountains of Taiwan, with 2,000 m thick of southern mud stone and 1,000 m thick Luigi mud stone underground.

Biological Resources

Big leave mahogany is the specific vegetation of the locality, taking form of evergreen arbor which evenly spreads out on both sides of the gushing awl platform within 100 m radius to the north. Several dozens are of the vegetation can be found on the platform, forming very special view at the site.

Current Situation and Suggestion

There is mere notice-board set up near entrance, and it is free for public passage ; peripheral fences are put up with entry and exit for tourist without effective control mechanism.

Scenic Characteristics

The mud volcano ejects exists because mud and gas will gush out concurrently simultaneously, after cooling-off, the awl will be formed, much like a small hillock, and there is concave hole on top of it. Mud gas will continue to gush out from the hole. Since the gas is flammable, it would burn on its own.

The largest mud gusher in the area measures around 3.5 m tall with 50℃ at its slopes, a typical mud awl. Eruption occurs once every few seconds and thick mud will slide down the awl, forming tongue-shaped mud-flow with diameter measuring up to 70 m.

Transportation Condition

One can take the Nan-Zhi interchange of the highway, traveling in direction of Da-She Yien-Tzao [Swallow Nest], then switches to No. 188 county highway, and should arrive at Oo-Shan (Dark Mountain) Lane via Ling-Ko [Peak Gorge]; one can also take No. 21 of provincial highway, and ride via Chee-Shan [Flag Mountain] and Ling-Ko [Peak Gorge], then arriving arrive at Oo-Shan [Dark Mountain] Lane after driving for 40 minutes a hike of about 30 minutes, the destiny will be in sight.

References

• Mr. Wang Hsin. 1986. “Investigation Report on the Landscape of Mud Volcano Reserve ”. Council of Agriculture – Executive Yuan. Taipei.
• Mr. Wamg Hsin, Miss Hsu Mei-Ling, Mr. Yang Jien-Fu. 1988. Taiwan Mud Volcano Topographical Scenery. AnnualPublication – Taiwan Provincial Museum, 31:31-49.