Jonaid Iqbal in Islamabad
A 200 metre long and 20 meter high new island emerged two kilometers off Gwadar Port in Baluchistan, it was announced on 24 September. This unusual phenomenon –a gift of nature – popping up of an island – happened in the afternoon after a mighty 7.7 magnitude mighty earthquake struck Avaran, a village deep inside this largest Pakistan province. The earthquake took the toll of 218 people, not counting several hundred injured, and scores of mud houses flattened, rescue teams from the province were soon on their way to mitigate sufferings of the affected people, but, estimates say it might take several hours to reach due to difficult terrain.
The phenomenon has given rise to high scientific interest. Reports say, a team of maritime oceanography experts will likely visit the place soon to collect samples. There is also speculation of the presence of methane gas in this new island. If this turns out to be true, then the island might become a driving point to access natural gas. Currently Pakistan is experiencing acute shortage gas as a result industry and vehicle owners are put on four days weekly ration.
Scientists speak of Baluchistan’s Mekran coast as an area full of frozen methane reserves existing in the form of gas formed under conditions of relatively high pressures and low temperatures lying underneath the sea floor. “Whenever this highly pressurized gas finds a weak space to release some of its energy, a dome-like structure (island) is created within the waters or it emerges on the sea surface”, said Scientist Dr. Imran.
He added: “the space to release energy could be formed due to tectonic movements, creating some fractures and fissures in the strata. Sometimes, the structures do not come out of the water and so go unnoticed.”
In the sea off the coast of Gwadar Port area are a high active zone and the meeting ground of three Indian, Eurasian and Arabian plates. Therefore the area needs to be mapped in detail to discover hazardous parts, and then for exploration as a point which could form a focul point in controlling gas crisis.
SH/Two isles emerged in past
The popping of islands has been witnessed two more times in 1999 1nd 2011 in this area. One more island emerged in 1945, after a similar earthquake.
Deputy Director of the Geological Survey of Pakistan Anwar Hussain said the emergence of these mud-volcanoes is common following an earthquake which thrusts the mud into a mud-mountain that erodes with high tides and strong wave action.
This earthquake that hit the Baluchistan coast is said to be the deadliest occurred in recent times.
Death toll of Avaran (baluchistan) earthquake is now 328, and rising.
Source Weekly Holiday
