Following a build-up of pressure, mud is released out of the volcano through fractures in the structure

Photographer Mikhail Mikhailov, 40, captured the unique landscape as it was being created by an eruption

is the Pugachevskiy mud volcano located on Sakhalin Island in East Russia


These incredible eye-catching snapshots show a stunning mud volcano which looks like a giant human eye when captured from the sky.

From high above, the centre of the volcano looks like the pupil, surrounded by a muddy brown iris.

The rare phenomenon was caught on camera on the Sakhalin Island, East Russia, at the Pugachevskiy mud volcano.

An eye for an eye: Photographer Mikhail Mikhailov was startled to see what looked like a human eye staring up at him as he flew over the Pugachevskiy mud volcano in East Russia

More than meets the eye: Following a build-up of pressure, mud is released out of the volcano through fractures in the structure, to create an unusual pattern

Photographer Mikhail Mikhailov, 40, from Sakhalin, East Russia, said: 'I haven't ever seen anything like this before.

'There are quite a lot of mud volcanoes in the world and this one is well-known.

'But I haven't ever seen it looking like an eye!

'It was a very strong eruption, the mud was getting out from one point and got spread around evenly.

'It created a very beautiful view, looking exactly like an earth eye especially from a helicopter.

'It is definitely a rare phenomenon.'

Eye on the prize: From high above, the centre of the volcano looks like the pupil, surrounded by a muddy brown iris

The rare phenomenon was caught on camera on the Sakhalin Island to the awe of the 40-year-old photographer

WHAT CAUSES MUD VOLCANOES AND WHERE CAN THEY BE FOUND? Mud bubbles and erupts from a mud volcano following a build-up of pressure. Pictured in Qobustan in Azerbaijan Mud volcanoes are formations created by geo-excreted gases and liquids, although the process can vary slightly. As decompaction occurs, gases are produced at a high rate, causing mud to become buoyant. With a build-up of pressure, mud is released out of the volcano through fractures in the structure. The largest concentration of mud volcanoes can be located in Azerbaijan, which boasts around 400 in total, some of which have created permanent and temporary islands. An overspill of mud at gobustan in Azerbaijan. The largest concentration of mud volcanoes can be located in Azerbaijan, which boasts around 400 in total As decompaction occurs, gases are produced at a high rate, causing mud to become buoyant in the process Advertisement



