Mud eruption 'caused by drilling'

By James Morgan,  Science & Environment reporter, BBC News  

Lusi has been erupting for two years, leaving 30,000 people homeless 

The eruption of the Lusi mud volcano in Indonesia was caused by drilling for oil and gas, a meeting of 74 leading geologists has concluded.

Lusi has been erupting for two years, leaving 30,000 people homeless

 

Lusi erupted in May 2006 and continues to spew out boiling mud, displacing around 30,000 people in East Java. 

Drilling firm Lapindo Brantas denies a nearby well was the trigger, blaming an earthquake 280km (174 miles) away. 

Around 10,000 families who have lost their homes are awaiting compensation, which could run as high as $70m (£43m).     

After debating new evidence at a conference in South Africa, most geologists voted drilling as the cause.

Correspondents describe the result a significant development in the tug-of-war to establish liability for the disaster.

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