Malvizza Bubbles

The Malvizza Bubbles display continuous emissions of methane gas and alkaline water through multiple low-profile mud craters at 518 meters elevation.

In 1867, the site witnessed a tragic firedamp explosion during railway construction, highlighting the concentrated presence of natural methane in the area.

Scientists discovered a new bacterial species, Alkalicoccus saliphilus, among the green algae present at the Malvizza mud volcanoes.

The mud volcanoes maintain a constant water temperature of 18°C and contain primarily illitic clay with minimal amounts of calcite and quartz.

These sedimentary formations represent the largest collection of mud volcanoes in the southern Apennines, emitting over 90 percent pure methane.

Location: Montecalvo Irpino

Elevation above the sea: 518 m

GPS coordinates: 41.25890,15.07075

Latest update: March 4, 2025 02:33