The deadly mud volcano, Lusi, in East Java, Indonesia doesn't look like it will ever stop.
Or at least not for another 26 years.
A new study released by scientists at Durham University in the U.K. states that the mud volcano, which re-awoke in 2006, may continue to erupt with hot mud for over two more decades, according to National Geographic. Lusi could continue to spew 56,000 Olympic-size swimming pools worth of mud over that time.
From National Geographic:
"The calculation should enable a better assessment of the final impact of the disaster and gives the inhabitants of [East Java] an indication of how long they can expect to be affected by mud from the volcano," study leader Richard Davies said in a statement.
It's the world's biggest and fastest growing mud volcano, according to Nat Geo.
The cause of the mud volcano, however, is hotly debated. While some believe it was caused by a natural reactivation, others claim it's the result of nearby drilling.
Whatever the cause, since the volcano began erupting whole villages have been engulfed by the mud. As of July 2010, Lusi had killed at least 14 and forced the evacuation of close to 60,000 others, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The Sidoarjo mud flow (mud volcano), taken by NASA's ASTER Satellite in late 2009:
