RADHICA DE SILVA
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
There are scores of mud volcanoes in T&T, several of which are still in slumber, but in the community of Princes Town, there is one active volcano which attracts thousands of visitors annually including intrepid explorers and fossil hunters.
It is called the Devil’s Woodyard volcano and although it is named after the world’s most evil oppressor, the volcano is regarded as a blessing to the people of Princes Town.
Devil’s Woodyard volcano is the most visited volcanic site in T&T. It became even more popular after its last eruption on February 13, 2018. Valuable fossils and ancient rock treasures have been coughed up during the eruption which attracted local, regional and international visitors. Geologists use the volcano as a playground as they trek around the expanse of hardened mud to find relics some of which are over 65 million years old.
More than 24,000 tonnes of volcanic mud had been spewed during the eruption and some of this dirt remains extremely valuable to beauticians and estheticians.
Sharla Lewis, a Princes Town aesthetician, swears by the purifying properties of the mud.
“Volcanic dirt is really good. It is a natural skin purifier rich in minerals, like sulfur, magnesium and zinc,” Lewis said.
She said buckets of mud are removed from the volcanic site and softened for effective use.
“The mud exfoliates and removes dead outer layers of skin while it cleanses the skin. Zinc helps heal inflammation too,” Lewis added.
Apart from fossils and therapeutic mud, the volcano also rakes in big bucks through arranged tours.
Chairman of the Princes Town Regional Corporation Gowrie Roopnarine said a year after the eruption, the volcano raised more than $60,000. Visiting the site is inexpensive as children pay $2 while adults pay $5.
Saying Devil’s Woodyard remains one of the biggest tourist sites in south Trinidad, Roopnarine said every day there are organised tours.
The fresh mudflows bring excitement to the intrepid explorer. For those less adventurous, there is seating accommodation, picnic huts, washroom facilities and tour guides on hand to provide fascinating facts about the volcano that was named after the devil.
These funds are used to upkeep the facility as well as to improve life in the bustling community which Roopnarine described as one of the fastest growing towns in Trinidad. Roopnarine said they often facilitate tours for schools and community groups. Literature is provided on the site. He said the volcano site was well worth the visit.
During an interview, chairman of the corporation Gowrie Roopnarine said the monies earned from the site is now being used to pay utility bills and purchase stationery for the corporation. He said literature on the history of the volcanoes is circulated to the visitors and there are supervisors assigned to the site. Maintenance staff are also paid to keep the site clean.
“This money is what is holding up the corporation,” Roopnarine said. He noted that on average more than 200 people visit the site on weekends and even more turn out for public holidays.
“Before when the site was free people used to come and throw their garbage, break the infrastructure. It was a free for all. Now that they are charged a fee, people treat the site better. They do not litter, the place is well maintained and organised. It is by far a better arrangement,” Roopnarine said.
Therapeutic mud, historic treasures
Meanwhile, senior geoscientist at Touchstone Exploration and member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists Xavier Moonan, who has done extensive research on the site, said centuries ago the Amerindian People were too afraid to venture near the volcanic site.
“The volcano first erupted in 1852, triggering the collapse of sprawling trees. The frightened, superstitious Amerindian villagers at the time believed that the trees’ destruction was caused by the devil himself which thus led to its name The Devil’s Woodyard,” Moonan said. He noted that subsequent major eruptions occurred in 1888-1889, 1906, 1942, 1969, 1988 and in 1995.
“Over time, these eruptions resulted in approximately 25,000 to 50,000 tonnes of mud being expelled onto the surface forming mounds that were 95m wide,” he added.
Regarded as one of the youngest volcanic sites in Trinidad, Moonan said the eruptions seem to occur within a cycle of 20-30 years.
“Subsurface pressures attain such a force that it fractures the surrounding rocks, especially those above the mud chamber. With the seal broken and a large pressure gradient established the subsurface muds are pushed with tremendous force to surface, physically lifting and shifting the playground, pushing and even stacking these foot-thick layers of soil and rock on top of each other, deforming the concrete walkway, tilting the tank stands, and establishing surface cracks,” Moonan revealed.
Apart from the therapeutic mud, the volcano also offers historic treasures which have been coughed up from the depths of the earth.
Some of these rocks are as old as the dinosaurs.
“Geologists have found loose oil-drenched sandstone boulders and fossils possibly within Cretaceous rocks (65 million years old). These boulders may have been brought to the surface from as deep at 14,000 feet by the pressurized muds. This phenomenon intrigues petroleum geologists as it allows one to examine rock material from great depth without having to drill a well,” Moonan explained.
Moonan said the Devil’s Woodyard volcano was an ideal place to go fossil hunting.
“The expanse of extruded mud gives you a chance to find real historic treasures. I encourage people to visit the volcano. Who knows what relic boulder you may stumble upon. Trust me when I say every pebble, every boulder has a story to tell,” Moonan added.
Anyone wanting to arrange tours to the most visited volcanic site can contact the corporation at 655-2239.
