Pakistan earthquake today: A 5.8 magnitude tremor strikes the north, causing panic
A moderate earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale struck large areas of northern Pakistan on Friday, triggering panic among residents and sending them into the streets for fear of buildings collapsing, especially in areas with a painful history of natural disasters.
Details of the earthquake and its location
Pakistan's National Seismological Centre reported that the earthquake's epicenter was located at a depth of 159 kilometers, specifically in the rugged border region between Tajikistan and China's Xinjiang province. Due to the earthquake's depth, its effects were felt across a wide area, from the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the disputed region of Kashmir to the capital, Islamabad, and parts of Punjab province.
Despite the strength of the tremor, there were no immediate reports of casualties or major material damage, which experts often attribute to the depth of the earthquake's focus, as deep earthquakes tend to be less destructive on the surface than shallow ones, although they are felt over a wider geographical area.
Geological context: Why do earthquakes occur so frequently in Pakistan?
Pakistan and South Asia in general are among the most seismically active regions in the world. This is due to the country's geographical location, situated above a tectonic plate collision zone, specifically where the Indian Plate is compressed northward to collide with the Eurasian Plate. This continuous compression over millions of years is responsible for the formation of the Himalayas, Hindu Kush, and Karakoram mountain ranges, and is also the primary cause of the region's frequent seismic activity.
The northern and western regions of Pakistan experience continuous seismic activity, as the earth's faults move to release the energy accumulated as a result of the movement of the plates, keeping the population on constant alert for any sudden earthquakes.
Painful memories and legitimate fears
Any earthquake in this region triggers great anxiety among residents and evokes painful memories, particularly the devastating October 2005 earthquake. That year, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck the region, killing more than 73,000 people and displacing millions, especially in Kashmir and northern Pakistan. That disaster left a deep psychological scar on the generations who lived through it, explaining the panic and the swift response of residents to evacuate their homes at the first sign of tremors, fearing potentially devastating aftershocks.
Local authorities and disaster management teams continue to monitor the situation closely, warning citizens to follow safety procedures and stay in open and safe areas in case of aftershocks.
