COLOMBIAN MUD VOLCANOES: MYTH OR REALITY OF MEDICAL PROPERTIES

The ceremonies, rituals, medical applications, and origin of the salty mud associated with diapirs are interesting phenomina. However, medical issues and benefits of the diaspirs are still an enigma. Diapirs are also called "mud volcanoes", there are along wide areas in the Colombian Atlantic Region, especially in the northwestern area. Thousands of people enjoy the medicinal muds and gases in different regions. The gas and materials of lower density coming out to the surface form domes as a frequent shape. In addition, some of the diaspirs allow the release of gas that blown out forming craters after the diapir is broken. Later, people will use this crater as pool of mud.

In this research, the authors want to increase awareness of this geological heritage as a new route to the geotourism, nature tourism, medical tourism, and geomedicine; all of them new and important topics nowadays around the world. The horizon of Geotourism’s knowledge would be expanded to encourage the development of a unique region in its geological features in Colombia.

Myths regarding medicinal power from marine substances are strong. In this case, salty mud from diapirs have similar myths. People commonly bottle this very fine grained saturated mass to bring back home. However, it is necessary to ask the question: What is the mud’s composition? It is time to analyze and find its application in modern medicine.

The origin of these landforms is a scientific curiosity. It is apparently, a simple and universal explanation of diapirs' formation. However, the author has analyzed her geographical area in order to find a tectonic origin as well.