Pakistan was shaken by a 5.0 magnitude earthquake on Saturday, according to seismic monitoring agencies. The earthquake’s shallow focal depth of 10km has raised concerns about potential aftershocks and their impact.
The epicenter was recorded at latitude 31.19 N and longitude 71.04 E. Seismologists explain that the danger of shallow earthquakes stems from the direct and intense energy release at the surface. Seismic waves from such events travel less distance, causing stronger ground vibrations and amplifying the risk of damage to buildings and potential loss of life.
Pakistan’s location within a highly active seismic belt makes it inherently susceptible to earthquakes. The country lies along several major fault systems, a consequence of the ongoing collision between tectonic plates. This geological configuration means provinces like Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan, situated on the southern rim of the Eurasian plate, and Sindh and Punjab, on the northwestern edge of the Indian plate, are frequently subjected to seismic stresses.
Balochistan is especially at risk due to its location near the active junction of the Arabian and Eurasian plates. Punjab, positioned on the Indian plate, also experiences considerable seismic activity. Even Sindh, while comparatively less prone, is not entirely immune. The historical context of the 1945 Balochistan earthquake, a devastating 8.1 magnitude event, highlights the severe seismic potential inherent in this region.