Koh-i-Sultan

Koh-i-Sultan
Koh-e-Sultan, Kuh-i-Sultan, Kuh-e-Sultan
Koh-i-Sultan is located in westernmost Pakistan
Koh-i-Sultan is located in westernmost Pakistan
Koh-i-Sultan
Koh-i-Sultan is located in westernmost Pakistan
Koh-i-Sultan is located in westernmost Pakistan
Koh-i-Sultan
Koh-i-Sultan (Balochistan, Pakistan)
Highest point
Elevation2,334 m (7,657 ft)
Coordinates29°7′20″N 62°49′1″E / 29.12222°N 62.81694°E / 29.12222; 62.81694
Naming
English translationMountain of the King
Geography
LocationBalochistan, Pakistan
Geology
Rock ageMiocene-Late Pleistocene
Mountain typeStratovolcano
Volcanic arcSultan/Makran/Baluchistan volcanic arc
Last eruption90,000 ± 10,000 years ago
While most of Pakistan is located on the Indian Plate, Koh-i-Sultan is situated on the Eurasian Plate

Koh-i-Sultan is a volcano in Balochistan, Pakistan. It is part of the tectonic belt formed by the collision of the Eurasian Plate and Indian Plate: specifically, a segment influenced by the subduction of the Arabian plate beneath the Asian plate and forming a volcanic arc which includes the Bazman and Taftan volcanoes in Iran. The volcano consists of three main cones, with heavily eroded craters running west-northwest and surrounded by a number of subsidiary volcanic centres. Its summit is 2,334 metres (7,657 ft) high, and the crater associated with the Miri cone has a smaller crater inside.

The volcano is formed by andesite and dacite rocks, with fragmentary rocks prevailing over lava flows. The rocks have typical arc-volcano chemistry and composition, with a progression from andesite to dacite in the eruption products with younger age. Potassium-argon dating has indicated an age range from 5,900,000 to 90,000 years. Subsequent erosion has generated a large debris apron around the base of the volcano and carved rock formations which impressed early explorers; one well-known rock formation is Neza e Sultan.

Geothermal activity and the emission of volcanic gases are ongoing, and the volcano has been prospected for the possibility of obtaining geothermal energy. The geothermal activity has resulted in widespread rock alteration and the formation of sulfur deposits, which were mentioned in a 1909 report and later mined. Koh-i-Sultan also has deposits of other minerals.