Originally published on September 26, 2013
In the aftermath of the earthquake in Pakistan that has killed more than 300 people, an unusual after-effect hit the south of the nation.
From a beach near Gwadar port, crowds of bewildered residents gathered to witness the rare phenomenon of an island that the quake has thrust up out of the sea.
The island was formed by a "mud volcano," a pressure vacuum created by a mix of loose sediment and gas underneath sea rock that is jolted by the quake.
This in turns creates a geyser-effect of mud and sea rock that breaks into the ocean, forming the island.
The phenomenon is not the first of its kind. Spontaneous islands being thrust up through the ocean from earthquakes have been documented before, but only on rare occasions.
The island is unlikely to stand the test of time, however.
The mud and sea rock is soft and unable to withstand the natural elements. Rain, wind and wave action are enough to cause substantial erosion to the island, which is only about 60 metres square.
The less than 10-metre high island will likely sink back into the ocean once the tectonic plates stabilise and aftershocks subside.
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