A MAJOR earthquake that killed dozens in Pakistan was so violent that it thrust a new island up from the sea floor just off the coast.
More than 50 people have been confirmed dead and more casualties are expected following the 7.8 magnitude quake in south of the country.
The new island appeared off the coast of Gwadar, in the Arabian sea, and is estimated to be about 30m long and around 10m high.
The quake struck at 4:29pm local time (9:30pm) on Tuesday around 100 kilometres southwest of the city of Khuzdar in Baluchistan province, at a depth of 15 kilometres.
Officials said the tremors had demolished dozens of houses in Awaran district, 350km southwest of the provincial capital Quetta.
The area of the epicentre is sparsely populated and most buildings are mud-built, but the US Geological Survey issued a red alert for the quake, warning that heavy casualties were likely based on past data.
The provincial government has declared an emergency in Awaran and the military has mobilised 200 soldiers and paramilitary troops to help with the relief effort.
More than 50 people have been confirmed dead and more casualties are expected following the 7.8 magnitude quake in south of the country.
The new island appeared off the coast of Gwadar, in the Arabian sea, and is estimated to be about 30m long and around 10m high.
The quake struck at 4:29pm local time (9:30pm) on Tuesday around 100 kilometres southwest of the city of Khuzdar in Baluchistan province, at a depth of 15 kilometres.
Officials said the tremors had demolished dozens of houses in Awaran district, 350km southwest of the provincial capital Quetta.
The area of the epicentre is sparsely populated and most buildings are mud-built, but the US Geological Survey issued a red alert for the quake, warning that heavy casualties were likely based on past data.
The provincial government has declared an emergency in Awaran and the military has mobilised 200 soldiers and paramilitary troops to help with the relief effort.
Read more: New island created as dozens killed in Pakistan by 7.8-magnitude quake | News.com.au
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