Study: Java Mud Leak Caused By Drilling

A British study into a mud leak that displaced thousands of Indonesians suggests the eruption was caused by drilling for gas.

The scientists who authored the study said it appears East Java drilling caused a rupture in pressurized limestone rock, which then released water and mud to the surface, the BBC reported Wednesday.

They said thousands of gallons of water and mud are expected to continue to flow over the surface for several months, possibly years. They said about 3.9 square miles of the land affected by the mud flow, which began in May, will probably sag and be uninhabitable for some years.

Our research brings to the conclusion that the incident was most probably the result of drilling, said team leader Richard Davies.

However, Indonesian Welfare Minister Aburizal Bakrie denied the inciting incident was caused by drilling firm Lapindo Brantas, which is owned by his family. He said the mud eruption was caused by a May 27 earthquake near Yogyakarta.