Zalzala Koh facts for kids
Zalzala Koh or Zalzala Jazeera is a small island that means "Earthquake Island". It is located off the coast of the port city of Gwadar in Balochistan, which is in the southeast of Pakistan. This island suddenly appeared on September 24, 2013, right after a big earthquake hit the area.
Scientists believe Zalzala Koh was formed by something called a mud volcano. This happens when gas trapped deep under the sea pushes up mud and soil from the seabed, making it rise above the water.
How Zalzala Koh Appeared
The island's sudden appearance was directly linked to a powerful earthquake. When the earthquake happened, it caused a lot of shaking and pressure under the ocean floor. This pressure forced a large amount of mud and gas upwards, creating the island. It was a very unusual event that surprised many people.
What Zalzala Koh Looks Like
Zalzala Koh is shaped like a circle. It stands about 15 meters (around 49 feet) high, which is like a five-story building. The island is also quite wide, measuring between 70 and 90 meters (about 230 to 295 feet) across. Even after it appeared, gas continued to escape from cracks on its surface. This gas often smells like rotten eggs because it contains sulfur.
Will Zalzala Koh Last?
Scientists think that Zalzala Koh will not be around forever. Islands formed by mud volcanoes are usually temporary. They are not made of solid rock like most islands. Instead, they are mostly made of soft mud and soil.
Within just a few months of its appearance, the island's height had already dropped by more than two meters (about 6.5 feet). It seems to be slowly sinking back into the sea. This is a natural process for mud volcano islands, as the mud settles and the gas escapes. Over time, it is expected to disappear completely back under the waves.
