T.A.R.A.S. is a provincially registered, non-profit organization, which was formed in 1984 to help provide a network of information for anyone interested in reptiles and amphibians.

To whom it may concern,

Researchers from the University of Calgary are interested in studying formations of weak and water saturated soils that are found across the Canadian Prairies. These features have been noted in the region since early settlers came to the prairies in the early 1900’s, with the features being nicknamed ‘Soap Holes’ due to the greasy/slippery feeling of the clays that are extruded. However, there are several different names that have been encountered to describe these features including Mud Holes, Mud Boils, Turtle-backs, Quickclay, Mud Volcanoes, and Pingles.

The current understanding of these features is that they occur due to artesian groundwater conditions that causes the ground to liquify and can transport very fine-grained muds and clays to the surface. This may result in the formation of mounds as the particulates collect on the surface, however many remain flat and some even form a depression. These features are often wet in the spring, but dry over the summer creating a solid crust that can easily be pierced but may disguise the features. If the solid crust is agitated it may cause the ground to wave as if it is floating.

Our study is trying to understand how and why they form, and to assist in this we are trying to build a dataset of the spatial distribution of these features. To do this we want to log the locations of these features across Alberta, so we can try to analyze their distribution to find commonalities between the various locations where they are found.

This study area is extremely large, so we are hoping to engage with the members of the community as it is a lot of area to cover, and no one knows the land better than the people who live on it. What we are asking from the people of the community is if they want to report one of these features or are just interested in getting more information to please check our Facebook page (Soap Hole Research) or contact us at:

Dylan Cunningham
E: dzcunnin@ucalgary.ca

Dr. Rachel Lauer
E: Rachel.lauer@ucalgary.ca

Dr. Cathy Ryan
E: cryan@ucalgary.ca

We are primarily looking to take pictures and record the coordinates of the formation to help build a dataset on the distribution of these features, the land will not be altered in any way. However, we would also be interested in collecting water and soil samples if the landowner will allow for it.

Thank you for your time and we hope to hear back from you.

Dylan Cunningham
MSc Candidate
University of Calgary ... See MoreSee Less

1 day ago  ·  

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