NASA satellite images confirm creation of new island in Pakistan

4:32pm, Sat 28 Sep 2013 Second earthquake hits Pakistan - last updated Sat 28 Sep 2013

NASA has confirmed that a recent earthquake in Pakistan created a new island about a kilometre off its Gwadar coastline in the Arabian Sea.

The powerful earthquake struck Pakistan's south-west Baluchistan province on 24 September, killing more than 500 people and leaving thousands homeless.

Two days later, NASA's earth-observing satellite flew over the area and confirmed that a new island had indeed appeared.

The image below shows the part of the coastline before the earthquake. Lighter patches in the water suggest either a shallow seabed or suspended sediment, NASA said.

The image below was taken after the earthquake and clearly shows the new island jutting out above the waves.

Experts say the island was most likely created by a "mud volcano" - a jet of mud, sand and water - which caused the seabed to rise.

Read: How the Pakistan earthquake created a new island

Another image, released by Pakistan's National Institute of Oceanography, shows the surface of the island in greater detail.

It is estimated to stretch 75 to 90 metres (250 to 300 feet) across and stands 15 to 20 metres (60 to 70 feet) above the water.

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NASA satellite images confirm creation of new island in Pakistan

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