This is the moment natural gas ignited as it spewed mud from the ground in Taiwan.

Footage shows the volcano erupting black slurry and mud jets into the air, with flames shooting from the vent in Pingtung County on June 26.

Two vents at the Wandan mud volcano can be seen blasting simultaneously, surrounded by grassy fields and releasing fumes with a thin plume of smoke into the area.

Chen Yuyi, head of Wannei Village in Banten Township, said mud volcano eruptions occur once or twice yearly on average, affecting more than 10 hectares of land each time. These eruptions cause crop damage and block drainage systems for up to 40 to 50 years.

He added: 'The most troublesome problem is the cost of cleaning and transportation because the mud must be hauled to designated sites and cannot be dumped indiscriminately. Many residents cannot afford these expenses.'

This month, Pingtung County Councillor Xu Zhanwei received complaints from locals that accumulating mud was harming farmland.

He said: 'The county government confirmed that the volcanic mud spewed onto private land is not classified as a mineral under mining laws and is not state property. Residents only need to apply to the relevant authorities for permission to remove it.'

However, residents face a burdensome process, as they must submit a new application after every eruption, making the situation very difficult for them.

On July 7 last year, four vents simultaneously spewed mud about two meters high, accompanied by flames and eerie wailing sounds.

Residents complained due to the inability to remove the mud freely, the high costs involved, crop destruction, and blocked drainage.