A geological and botanical preserve located near the Berca
village, the mud volcanoes are a rare and beautiful sight to see. The small
mud volcanoes, only a few meters high, create a strange landscape due to
lack of vegetation around the cones. Vegetation is scarce because the soil
is very salty and only a few plants can survive. Several of the volcanoes
can be active anytime, when the gray mud at the surface is disturbed by the
rising gas bubbles. A thick liquid is pushed to the surface by the gas
pressure creating some miniature lava flows. The phenomenon can be observed
on two separate locations near the Berca commune, the Small Mud Volcanoes
(Paclele Mici) and The Big Mud Volcanoes (Paclele Mari). Visiting the place
doesn't present a danger but I would advice wearing something else than
sandals.
