COLOMBIA´S CARIBBEAN AREA HAS MORPHOLOGICAL COASTAL CHANGES, ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, AND HIGH RISK FOR NATURAL DISASTERS; ALTHOUGH, IT IS SUITABLE FOR TOURISM AND MEDICINE; FAR FROM RHETORIC, CLOSER TO REALITY

Along the Colombian Caribbean´s coastline between the Uraba Gulf and the mouth of the Magdalena River, seismic and tectonic phenomena have produced activities of mixed flows of oversaturated mud, gas, and sometimes traces of oil, causing dome shape deformations called Clay Diapir. If the clay diapir has a rupture, a mud volcano and/or volcano´s ears could appear. Also, a clay diapir is an excellent indicator regarding tectonic areas masked by Quaternary sediments.

Furthermore, potential negative effects of clay diapir/ mud volcanoes are present on both nature and humans such as a) geomorphological changes in the coastal zone, b) erosion on the shoreline c) high natural risk over some littoral points, d) damage to infrastructure, e) injuries to humans and animals, e) environmental pollution by expelling gas twenty four hours a day, among others. In addition, environmental contamination occurs disturbing groundwater, surface water, soil and rocks throughout the region. However, we can find at least two positive aspects such as a) tourists are fascinated because mud has attractive and relaxing surroundings, b) health benefits for skin and myths about curing rheumatism, arthritis, and others.

This geological phenomenon in the Colombian Caribbean area may be compared to a recent similar one occurred in Pakistan where an island appeared, also similar to the ones in San Juan de Urabá , Antioquia, Colombia, mud diapir in Indonesia, Rome airport in Italy and Salton Sea area, California, U.S. Recently, the Office of Disaster Prevention at Unesco seems to be unaware of these phenomenon since Clay diapirs are not predictable.