New mud volcano in Pakistan

This post concerns a mud-volcano island created by a 7.8M earthquake in southern Pakistan on September 24, 2013. The island, called Zaizala Jazeera (or “Earthquake Mountain”) formed 1 km (0.6 mi.) offshore from the coastline in shallow-marine waters, in the Paddi Zirr (West Bay) area near Gwadar, Pakistan (25°N, 62°E).

The island was originally circular with a diameter of 250 m. The original height was 15 to 20 m (60 to 70 ft.). It is currently sinking, and has already sunken 10 ft. into the sea since first appearance. Geologists believe that the island was caused by the earthquake-related, emission of methane gas on the seabed. Corals have inhabited the slopes of the island.

For additional close-up pictures of the mud volcano,
click HERE