Shugo Mud Volcano

The nature monument “Shugo Mud Volcano” lies in Krymsky District of Krasnodar Krai, about five kilometres south/southeast of Varenikovskaya stanitsa. According to the krai’s protected-areas authority, it is one of the region’s largest active mud volcanoes: a truncated cone with a crater field and typical mud activity. It was listed as a nature monument by local and regional decisions in the Soviet period (1980s references appear in OOPT summaries). Shugo belongs to the Kerch–Taman mud-volcano province at the start of the Greater Caucasus, in wooded foothills rather than on Anapa’s beach — though the resort is not far. Gas seeps (mainly methane) mark the crater field; individual vents change over time. Large eruptions are rare; popular texts mention an episode about a century ago — treat dates cautiously and follow OOPT rules. Visit for geology and landscape, not a spa brochure. Respect barriers, do not bathe in vents without understanding the risks, and stay on firm ground.