Pakistan Earthquake Today Islamabad: 5.8 Magnitude Quake Hits
The frequent earthquakes in Pakistan have raised concerns about the country's seismic activity, and experts are working to understand the underlying causes and potential risks associated with these events, as the country's location on the boundary of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates makes it prone to earthquakes, with the recent quakes felt in Islamabad, Lahore, and several cities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
A 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck Pakistan on Saturday, causing tremors in Jammu and Kashmir, with the epicenter located near the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border region, and was felt in various parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, including Peshawar, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Lahore.
Pakistan is susceptible to earthquakes due to its location on the boundary of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates, making it one of the most seismically active countries. The country has experienced an increase in seismic activities in recent weeks, with around 20 tremors reported in the first half of February, an average of more than one per day. Experts have pointed out that these minor seismic activities can "preempt" high-intensity earthquakes by releasing accumulated energy within the tectonic plates.
The earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers with no immediate reports of casualties or property damage. However, several districts in KP were jolted, and people came out of buildings. The Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said jolts were felt in various cities, including Lahore, Gujrat, and Faisalabad, and teams and machinery were on alert to deal with aftershocks.
The recent earthquake is the third in a week, following a 5.3 magnitude quake on April 16 and a 5.5 magnitude quake on April 12, causing widespread fear and panic among the population. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) and other international agencies are closely monitoring the situation to provide timely updates and warnings to the public.