An earthquake measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale jolted Pakistan on Saturday, according to seismic monitoring agencies. The earthquake’s epicenter was recorded at a shallow depth of 10 km, a factor that typically amplifies ground motion and raises concerns about potential aftershocks. Experts explain that seismic waves from shallow earthquakes have less distance to dissipate, leading to more forceful shaking on the surface.
This seismic activity highlights Pakistan’s inherent vulnerability to earthquakes. The country is situated in a geologically complex area where tectonic plates converge. Key provinces, including Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan, are positioned along the Eurasian plate’s southern boundary, while Sindh and Punjab are located on the Indian plate’s northwestern edge. This tectonic environment contributes to regular seismic events, with a recent 4.6 magnitude quake recorded on October 5. The region’s history includes catastrophic events, such as the 1945 Balochistan earthquake, which registered a magnitude of 8.1, marking it as the country’s most powerful recorded tremor.