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.

Opinion

Editorial

Trade cooperation
Updated 05 Jul, 2024

Trade cooperation

Will Shehbaz be able to translate his dream of integrating Pakistan within the region by liberalising trade cooperation with South and Central Asia?
Creeping militancy
05 Jul, 2024

Creeping militancy

WHILE military personnel and LEAs have mostly been targeted in the current wave of militancy, the list of targets is...
Dodging culpability
05 Jul, 2024

Dodging culpability

IT is high time the judiciary put an end to the culture of impunity that has allowed the missing persons crisis to...
Elusive justice
Updated 04 Jul, 2024

Elusive justice

Till the Pakistani justice system institutionalises the fundamental principles of justice, it cannot fulfil its responsibilities.
High food prices
04 Jul, 2024

High food prices

THAT the country’s exports of raw food rose by 37pc in the last financial year over the previous one is a welcome...
Paralysis in academia
04 Jul, 2024

Paralysis in academia

LIKE all other sectors, higher education is not immune to the debilitating financial crisis that is currently ...