MUD VALCANOES IN BALUCHISTAN, PAKISTAN

The Baluchistan province of Pakistan is gifted with a diverse geography. Among many geological wonders, one big attraction is the presence of mud volcanoes. In Baluchistan there are more than 80 active mud volcanoes. World’s largest and highest known mud volcano is located in Baluchistan. The altitude of highest mud volcano here is 300 ft. dormant mud volcanoes stand like columns of mud in many other areas. There are about 10 locations having clusters of mud volcanoes. . The mud volcanoes of Baluchistan are not only located on the land but from time to time they appear as small temporary islands in the Arabian Sea. Similar mud volcanoes have been identified on Mars planet.

 

Mud volcanoes are also located in the Makran range of mountains. In the west, in Gwadar District, the mud volcanoes are very small and mostly be situated in the south of Jabal-e-Mehdi toward Sur Bandar. Many more exist in the north-east of Ormara. The other are in Lasbela District and are scattered between south of Gorangatti on Koh Hinglaj to Koh Kuk in the North of Miani Hor in the Hangol Valley. In this region, the heights of mud volcanoes range between 800 to 1,550 feet (243.8 to 472.4 m). Most mud volcanoes in this region are situated in out-of-reach areas having very difficult terrain.

 

HINGOL MUD VALCANO

Hingol mud volcano is located in Makran District, Baluchistan Province of Pakistan. It is a mud volcano located in Hingol National Park. The mud is rather cool.

NEZ-E-SULTAN

Neza e Sultan) is located in Chagai District, Baluchistan, Pakistan. Neza e Sultan is an extinct volcano and only the magma chamber remains and it looks like a spear. Neza means spear; Sultan means King; literally Spear of Sultan.

CHANDRAGUP

Chandragup is a mud volcano located in Baluchistan, Pakistan. The mud volcano ‘Chandrakup’ means 'Moon Well'. The volcano is filled with mud, instead of magma, hence the term "mud volcano". The height of chandragup mud volcano is approximately 300 meters. The most famous is Chandaragup. The biggest crater found at 25°33'13.63"N. 65°44'09.66"E is about 450 feet (137.16 m) in diameter. Chandrakup volcano is considered holy by Hindus and is an important stop for pilgrims on their way to the shrine of Devi (goddess) Hinglaj.

JEBEL-E-GHURAB

 Jebel-e-Ghurab is located in Baluchistan, Pakistan. It is a mud volcano.

 

MALAN ISLAND

Malan Island is actually an offshore mud volcano located in the Arabian Sea, 3 kilometers off the coast of Baluchistan, Pakistan.

The term mud volcano or mud dome is used to refer to formations created by geo-excreted liquids and gases, although there are several different processes which may cause such activity. Hot water mixes with mud and surface deposits Temperatures are much cooler in these processes than found at igneous volcanoes. About 86% of the gas released from these structures is methane, with much less carbon dioxide and nitrogen emitted. Ejected materials are often slurry of fine solids suspended in liquids which may include water, which is frequently acidic or salty, and hydrocarbon fluids.