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

Who bears the cost?

Who bears the cost?

This small window of low inflation should compel a rethink of how the authorities and employers understand the average household’s

Editorial

Internet restrictions
Updated 23 Dec, 2024

Internet restrictions

Notion that Pakistan enjoys unprecedented freedom of expression difficult to reconcile with the reality of restrictions.
Bangladesh reset
23 Dec, 2024

Bangladesh reset

THE vibes were positive during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent meeting with Bangladesh interim leader Dr...
Leaving home
23 Dec, 2024

Leaving home

FROM asylum seekers to economic migrants, the continuing exodus from Pakistan shows mass disillusionment with the...
Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...