Massive earthquake in Pakistan reveals new island

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake shook part of southern Pakistan on Tuesday, killing at least 46 people. Home Secretary Asad Gilani also said that “dozens have been injured,” and many more may still be stuck under rubble. The earthquake lasted two minutes, and did enough damage to destroy mud-walled homes, particularly in the areas of Awaran, said Latif Kakar, director of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority in Balochistan.

At least 1,000 troops will be sent to the area, and they will include rescue teams and medical teams to provide whatever aid is needed.

Pakistani officials say that the earthquake also prompted the emergence of a small island about one mile off the coast. Local police official Mozzam Jah said the quake was so strong, that a 20 to 30 foot high mass appeared out of the ocean. GEO TV reported that the island is around 100 feet across. The event was “not surprising” to Zahid Rafi, principal seismologist for the National Seismic Monitoring Center, but geophysicist John Bellini said that such a large mass of land was somewhat unlikely even given the magnitude of the quake. Bellini said that the tide probably played a large part in its formation.