• Source:JND
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A 4.4 magnitude earthquake struck Pakistan on Wednesday night, sending tremors across various regions and triggering panic among residents. According to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the quake occurred at 21:58:26 IST, with its epicentre located at latitude 31.08°N and longitude 68.84°E, at a depth of 50 kilometres beneath the Earth’s surface. The epicentre was located in the Hindu Kush region, likely in Afghanistan, at a depth of 185 kilometers.

The NCS shared details of the seismic activity on social media platform X, confirming that the tremor originated within Pakistan’s territory. No immediate reports of casualties or damage to property were received, but the quake left people rattled, especially in light of a similar incident just days earlier.

Second Earthquake In Less Than A Week

This earthquake comes just two days after a 4.4 magnitude tremor was recorded in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Swat region on Sunday. That quake, which struck in the afternoon, caused brief panic as tremors were felt across nearby towns and districts. Though both seismic events were of relatively moderate intensity, they have raised concerns among citizens and experts alike about increased tectonic activity in the region.

Pakistan has experienced a string of low-intensity earthquakes in recent months. In the first half of February alone, the country witnessed approximately 20 minor quakes, averaging more than one tremor per day.

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Experts Warn Of Potential For Larger Quakes

Seismologists have warned that recurring low-magnitude earthquakes may serve as a warning sign of future high-intensity seismic events. These minor tremors gradually release accumulated energy from the tectonic plates, which may otherwise lead to more destructive quakes.

In the Himalayan seismic belt, of which parts of Pakistan are a part, major earthquakes are said to occur on a roughly 100-year cycle. The most devastating quakes in recent memory include the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, which claimed over 80,000 lives, and the 2015 quake that affected parts of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. No loss of life or property has been reported in the latest earthquake.

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