Twin Earthquakes Shake Northern Pakistan, Tremors Felt Across Regions
Key Points:
- 5.5-Magnitude Earthquake Near Islamabad-Rawalpindi:
- A moderate earthquake (magnitude 5.5, per Pakistan’s NSMC; 5.0 as per USGS) struck 60km northwest of Rawalpindi at 12:30 PM on Saturday.
- Depth: 12 km (NSMC) / 39.2 km (USGS).
- Tremors felt in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, KP’s Hazara division, Swabi, and other parts of northern Pakistan.
- No immediate reports of casualties or major damage, but people evacuated buildings as a precaution.
- Earlier 4.3-Magnitude Quake Near Afghanistan-Tajikistan Border:
- Occurred at 11:54 AM, with 88 km depth, affecting Shangla, Swat, Mardan, Abbottabad, Haripur, Mansehra, and Kohistan in KP.
- A 3.8-magnitude aftershock was also recorded at 11:26 AM in the same region.
- Seismic Activity in Pakistan:
- Pakistan lies on three major tectonic plates (Arabian, Euro-Asian, Indian), making it highly earthquake-prone.
- Experts note that frequent low-intensity quakes (like the 20 tremors recorded in February 2025) may help release tectonic stress, potentially reducing the risk of a major disaster.
- Public Response & Monitoring:
- Residents in urban and rural areas reported feeling jolts, with some briefly evacuating homes and offices.
- Authorities are assessing structural impacts, though no significant damage has been confirmed yet.
Northern Pakistan experienced back-to-back earthquakes, highlighting the region’s seismic vulnerability. While no major damage was reported, the frequency of tremors underscores the need for:
- Stricter building codes in earthquake-prone zones.
- Public awareness on earthquake preparedness.
- Enhanced monitoring by geological agencies to track tectonic movements.
This is a developing story. Updates will follow as official assessments are released.
