Earthquake Islamabad: Recent Tremors Hit Pakistan
The recent series of earthquakes in Pakistan, including the one that struck Swat, highlights the country's seismic activity and the need for continued monitoring and preparedness. With several minor tremors occurring in recent weeks, experts are closely watching the situation to understand the potential for larger earthquakes.
A 4.7 magnitude earthquake struck Swat and surrounding areas in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Tuesday, with the epicenter located in the Afghanistan and Tajikistan border region, causing no loss of life or property.
The earthquake, which occurred at a depth of 98 kilometers, prompted people in Swat to come out of their homes in panic and recite verses from the Holy Quran. This is the latest in a series of earthquakes to hit Pakistan in recent weeks, with several minor tremors occurring in the first half of February. Experts believe that these minor seismic activities can release accumulated energy within the tectonic plates, potentially preempting high-intensity earthquakes.
On Sunday, a magnitude 4.1 earthquake struck northern Pakistan, with its epicentre in Afghanistan's Hindu Kush region. The quake, which occurred at a moderate depth of 60 km beneath the earth's surface, caused brief panic but resulted in no immediate reports of casualties or property damage. The earthquake was felt in Islamabad and surrounding areas, with residents rushing out of buildings as a precautionary measure.
Another significant earthquake, with a magnitude of 5.5, struck near Islamabad and Rawalpindi on April 12, 2025, with its epicenter located 60km northwest of Rawalpindi. The quake had a depth of 12km, according to the National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC), and caused no immediate reports of damages or casualties.
Disaster response agencies are monitoring the situation, but no emergency action is deemed necessary at this time. The frequent earthquakes in Pakistan have raised awareness about the importance of disaster preparedness and the need for residents to be aware of safety protocols in the event of an earthquake.