In east java, indonesia, a mud volcano has been erupting since 2006. one controversial hypothesis is that the mud volcano in east java is erupting because a gas mining company was drilling a deep hole nearby. when a mud volcano erupts, hot water deep below the earth's surface mixes with various minerals, and this mud spews out over the surface of the earth. the hot mud flow destroys organismal habitats, including the homes and livelihoods of people. when the mud volcano stops erupting, the disturbed area will be colonized by a variety of species. this process of colonization is called