Explored: Balochistan's mud volcanoes

Published August 4, 2014
First pitstop for brunch at a roadside cafe at Winder tehsil in Balochistan. — Photo by Ali Umair Jaffery
First pitstop for brunch at a roadside cafe at Winder tehsil in Balochistan. — Photo by Ali Umair Jaffery
A view of the Makran Coastal Highway while we were enroute to the Hingol National Park. — Photo by Ali Umair Jaffery
A view of the Makran Coastal Highway while we were enroute to the Hingol National Park. — Photo by Ali Umair Jaffery
A view of the flooded Hingol River over the Hingol bridge on our way to the Hingol National Park. The flooded river prevented us from reaching our intended destination. — Photo by Taimoor Hussain
A view of the flooded Hingol River over the Hingol bridge on our way to the Hingol National Park. The flooded river prevented us from reaching our intended destination. — Photo by Taimoor Hussain
Crossing the Hingol bridge on our way to Hingol National Park in Hingol Valley. — Photo by Ali Umair Jaffery
Crossing the Hingol bridge on our way to Hingol National Park in Hingol Valley. — Photo by Ali Umair Jaffery
Daihatsu Rocky going towards the Hingol National Park. — Photo by Taimoor Hussain
Daihatsu Rocky going towards the Hingol National Park. — Photo by Taimoor Hussain
The spirit of adventure saw us stuck in the flooded Hingol River and despite our best efforts we had to turn back. -Photo by Ali Umair Jaffery
The spirit of adventure saw us stuck in the flooded Hingol River and despite our best efforts we had to turn back. -Photo by Ali Umair Jaffery
After the disappointment of not being able to continue along our trail, we changed our destination to Buzi Park. — Photo by Ali Umair Jaffery
After the disappointment of not being able to continue along our trail, we changed our destination to Buzi Park. — Photo by Ali Umair Jaffery
A view of the Hingol valley. — Photo by Baber Kaleem Khan
A view of the Hingol valley. — Photo by Baber Kaleem Khan
A view of the Hingol landscape and surrounding areas from the Buzi pass. — Photo by Baber Kaleem Khan
A view of the Hingol landscape and surrounding areas from the Buzi pass. — Photo by Baber Kaleem Khan
The Kund Malir beach in the Uthal tehsil of Balochistan. — Photo by Ali Umair Jaffery
The Kund Malir beach in the Uthal tehsil of Balochistan. — Photo by Ali Umair Jaffery
Sunset at the Kund Malir beach in the Uthal tehsil of Balochistan. — Photo by Baber Kaleem
Sunset at the Kund Malir beach in the Uthal tehsil of Balochistan. — Photo by Baber Kaleem
On our way to the Chandragup mud volcano. — Photo by Taimoor Hussain
On our way to the Chandragup mud volcano. — Photo by Taimoor Hussain
According to some claims, Chandragup mud volcano in Jhal Jhao tehsil of Balochistan is the largest and highest volcano in the world. — Photo by Ali Umair Jaffery
According to some claims, Chandragup mud volcano in Jhal Jhao tehsil of Balochistan is the largest and highest volcano in the world. — Photo by Ali Umair Jaffery
The Hingol mud volcano is regarded sacred by members of the Hindu community and is moreover an important stop for pilgrims while undertaking a journey to Devi’s shrine. — Photo by Ali Umair Jaffery
The Hingol mud volcano is regarded sacred by members of the Hindu community and is moreover an important stop for pilgrims while undertaking a journey to Devi’s shrine. — Photo by Ali Umair Jaffery
Burned incense  sticks at the top of the Chandragup mountain which is  a holy site for Hindus. — Photo by Ali Umair Jaffery
Burned incense sticks at the top of the Chandragup mountain which is a holy site for Hindus. — Photo by Ali Umair Jaffery
A view of the Chandragup mud volcano in the 
Jhal Jhao tehsil of Balochistan. — Photo by Taimoor Hussain
A view of the Chandragup mud volcano in the Jhal Jhao tehsil of Balochistan. — Photo by Taimoor Hussain

In Pakistan there are more than 80 active mud volcanoes in Balochistan province. In the province's Miani Hor-Hingol Valley region, the heights of mud volcanoes range between 800 to 1,550 feet (243.8 to 472.4 m). The most famous is Chandragup. The biggest crater found at 25°33'13.63"N. 65°44'09.66"E is about 450 feet (137.16 m) in diameter.

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