In Pictures: Romania's Mud Volcanoes

Ever wished you could go to space? Travel to Berca, Buzău County, walk around the Mud Volcanoes, a unique geological reservation in Romania, and you will enjoy some very alien landscapes.

The geological and botanical reservation covers 60 hectares.

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The reservation consists of two sections, Pâclele Mari and Pâclele Mici.

The muddy phenomenon starts deep down, at a depth of 3,000 meters.

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Gases erupt and travel to the surface through underground layers of water and clay.

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They bring to the surface salty water and mud.

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The cones of these miniature volcanoes do not reach more than five or six meters in height.

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While some of the volcanoes erupt continuously, others do so at random times.

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During hot summer days, the crusts display yellow salty formations.

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The only two plants that survive in this area are Nitraria Schöberi and Obione Verrucifera

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When visiting, it is forbidden to touch the volcano cones.

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The mud volcanoes were first discovered by Frenchman H. Cognard in 1867, during oil explorations.

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The area was declared protected in 1924.

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How to get there: Take national road DN 10 from Buzău to Brașov and stop at Km 18. Take local road DJ Satuc-Berca-Joseni-Policiori until Km eight and on DC Pliciori-Pâcle until Km five. Continue for another three km to Pâclele Mici and one km to get to Pâclele Mari.

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