1 
Records of the Geological Survey of India. [voL. xii. 
Note on a recent mud eruption in Eamei Island (Aeakan) by P. R. Mallet, 
P.G.S., Geological Purvey of hidia. 
In the account of the mud volcanoes of Ramri and Clieduba given in Volume 
XI, part 2, it is mentioned that there is a notion prevalent amongst the islanders 
that eruptions take place more frequently during the rains than at other times of 
the year. The few dates of eruption on record, in ns far as they go, do not hear 
out this idea, hut the numher is too small to generalise upon. 
Were the idea of an increase in activity during certain mouths of the year 
confined to tire unsophisticated inhahitants of the.SG islands, the point might 
perhaps he .scarcely woidh examination. A greater tendency to eruption at certain 
periods has, however, heen suspected to exist in some other pai'ts of the w'orld. 
It is stated hy Dr. Horsfield, that eruptions from the mud volcanoes of Java are 
more violent during the rainy season than at other times, and M. Duhois de 
Montporeux mentions that out of six eruptions from the mud volcanoes near the 
entrance to the Sea of Azov, five occurred between February and the lOth of 
May, the only knowm autumnal eruption having heen on the 5th September.* 
Whether, therefore, the belief of the Arakan islanders be w'cll founded or not, 
the point is worth investigation. 
In this connection the following letters, which have been placed at the dis¬ 
posal of the Geological Survey by the Commissioner of Arakan, are valuable as 
the first contribution towards a catalogue of eruptions sufficiently extended for 
generalisation. It is hoped that we may be able to make such in time through 
similar communications from the Officials of the Ramri district, and others who 
may take an interest in the subject.^ 
Prom Captain J. Butlee, Deputy Commissioner, Kyouk Phyoo, to the Commissioner of 
Arakan, Akyab,—No. 3S-12, dated the Kith July 1878. 
In compliance witli the instructions conveyed in your letter No. 732-165, Genei al Depart¬ 
ment, dated 22nd ultimo, I have the honor to state that the following individuals were 
' Eecords, G. S. I., Vol. XI, p. 201. 
“ It will he seen by reference to the paper quoted above, that there are some other points, also, 
connected with the eruptions, concerning which our information is not sufficiently detailed. The 
following list of questions m.iy perhaps be useful as a guide in obtaining information from the 
villagers : — 
1. Inforniiint’s name and village. 
2. I.ocality at which the eruption took place. Name of village, with distance and bearings 
from one or two wcU-known places. 
3. Date of eruption, and time of d.ay at which it commenced. 
4. Was it preceded or accompanied by any perceptible earthquake ? 
5. How long did the eruption last ? Did it hogin suddenly, or increase gradually in violence, 
and did it end suddenly or gradually ? 
6. Were there any flames during the eruption ? If so, how high did they rise above the top 
of the hill, when largest, and how long did they last ? Was the flame continuous or intermittent ? 
7. What is the shape of the hill, and its height ? Was it formed entirely during the recent 
eruption, or was part of it there previously ? Is it conical, and is there a basin or hollow (crater) 
at the top ? If so, what is the diameter of the hollow, and does it contain mud ? 
