Nasa has released satellite images of the new island formed off the coast of Pakistan following a powerful earthquake last week.
The new outcropping off the shore of the Paddi Zirr near Gwadar has been captured by Nasa’s Earth Observing-1 satellite. The island rose from the depths of the sea floor after the earthquake hit, it is estimated to be about 75 to 90 metres in diameter and 15 to 20 metres above the waterline.
It is believed that a shallow pocket of pressurised gas was released during the earthquake, the gas rose to the surface, taking mud and rock with it.
According to a group of people visiting the island, the sound of hissing gas was heard escaping from fissures even though there was no smell. The group found dead fish and other sea creatures on the surface of the island that had been carried up with the mud and clay.
Experts believe that this will only be a temporary island and that once the gas has escaped the mud will collapse and re-settle. Storms and waves are likely to play a part in shortening the lifespan of the island by washing away the soft clay and sand. It is thought that islands such as these only last a few months before sinking below the water again.
The devastating earthquake struck the Baluchistan province on Tuesday afternoon at a depth of 20km, with a magnitude of 7.7. Over 300 people have been killed and more than 700 have been injured. The Southwestern region of Pakistan has been hit by aftershocks which have left at least 15 people dead.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
NASA imetoa picha za satellite za kisiwa hicho kipya kilichoundwa karibu na pwani ya Pakistan baada ya tetemeko kubwa la ardhi wiki iliyopita. Mlipuko huo wa maji uliotokea kwenye mto Paddi Zirr karibu na mji wa Gwadar, nchini India, umeonekana kwenye picha ya satellite ya NASA inayoitwa Earth Observing-1. Kisiwa hicho kilijitokeza kutoka chini ya bahari baada ya tetemeko la ardhi, na kinakadiriwa kuwa na kipenyo cha mita 75 hadi 90 na mita 15 hadi 20 juu ya maji. Inaaminika kwamba mfuko wa chini wa gesi iliyokuwa chini ya shinikizo ilitolewa wakati wa tetemeko hilo, gesi hiyo ilipanda juu, ikichukua matope na miamba pamoja nayo. Kulingana na kikundi cha watu waliotembelea kisiwa hicho, sauti ya gesi ilisikika ikitoka kwenye nyufa ingawa hakukuwa na harufu. Kikundi hicho kilipata samaki waliokufa na viumbe wengine wa baharini juu ya kisiwa hicho ambao walikuwa wamepelekwa juu pamoja na matope na udongo. Wataalamu wanaamini kwamba hii itakuwa tu kisiwa cha muda na kwamba mara moja gesi imeokoka matope itaporomoka na kuhamia tena. Dhoruba na mawimbi yaweza kuharibu maisha ya kisiwa hicho kwa kuondoa udongo na mchanga. Inafikiriwa kwamba visiwa kama hivyo huendelea kuishi kwa miezi michache tu kabla ya kuzama tena chini ya maji. Tetemeko la ardhi la kusikitisha lilitokea katika jimbo la Baluchistan, Jumatatu, tarehe 12 Julai, wakati huo huo lilipokuwa na nguvu ya 7.7 na kina cha kilomita 20. Zaidi ya watu 300 wameuawa na zaidi ya 700 wamejeruhiwa. Mkoa wa kusini magharibi mwa Pakistan umesababisha matetemeko ya ardhi ambayo yamewasababisha watu 15 kuuawa. Kujiunga na jukwaa letu la maoni Kujiunga na mazungumzo ya kuchochea mawazo, fuata wasomaji wengine wa kujitegemea na kuona majibu yao