What’s Behind the Sudden Seismic Surge?
The rare and alarming sequence of consequence in Pakistan was jolted by three earthquakes within a span of just 24 hours, sparking widespread concern and raising urgent questions, Is the state entering a period of heighten seismic risk? Are many tremors on the way?
With tremors felt from Islamabad to Quetta , this sudden cluster of quakes has reignited fears in a region already vulnerable due to its position on major tectonic fault lines.
Timeline of Earthquakes in Pakistan (Last 24 Hours)
According to data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) and US Geological Survey (USGS), the following three earthquakes struck within a single day:
| Time (PST) | Magnitude | Epicenter | Affected Areas |
| 2:14 AM | 4.7 | Near Quetta, Balochistan | Quetta, Mastung, Sibi |
| 10:03 AM | 5.5 | Near Peshawar, KP | Peshawar, Swat, Dir |
| 7:28 PM | 4.9 | Close to Islamabad Capital Region | Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree |
No fatalities have been reported so far, but light structural damage and panic were observed, particularly during the second tremor which was the strongest.
Public Reactions and Panic Reports
The residents from Islamabad-Quetta described hearing “low rumbles” followed by “sudden jolts,” with many rushing outdoors in fear. The local authorities and National Disaster Management Authority, issued alerts but confirmed there was no leading infrastructure damage.
Experts React: Is This a Warning Sign?
Seismologists say the triple tremors indicate a “seismic cluster”, a phenomenon where multiple earthquakes occur in proximity both in time and geography.“This activity suggests an increase in strain along the Himalayan Frontal Thrust, which runs through northern Pakistan,” says Dr. Sara Qureshi, a geophysicist at Quaid-e-Azam University.
Other geological experts point to the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plate collision zone beneath Pakistan as a hotspot for sudden energy releases, which explains the recent earthquake cluster.
What’s Causing This Seismic Surge?
Key Geophysical Triggers:
The tectonic activities in Pakistan lies on the progressive boundary among the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate that making it naturally prone to earthquakes.The chaman fault in Balochistan and the main mantle thrust, near Gilgit-Baltistan are showing increased activity. The heat and glacier melt impact on climate change, some researchers suggest climate change and glacial melt in Gilgit-Baltistan may be influencing regional seismicity, though evidence remains indeterminate.
Risk Assessment: Are More Quakes Coming?
While aftershocks are common following initial tremors, the frequency of three separate quakes in one day raises the risk of larger seismic events if fault stress continues.“There’s a 20–30% probability of another quake above magnitude 5 in the next week” warns Dr. Tahir Naseem from the Geological Survey of Pakistan.
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Safety Tips During an Earthquake:
Stay indoors and “Drop, Cover, and Hold On”,avoid elevators and windows, have an emergency kit with water, flashlight, and first aid and download the NDMA Zindagi App for real time alerts.
A History of Earthquake Clusters in Pakistan
These are not the first time, Pakistan has faced multiple tremors in quick succession. Notable clusters includes:In October 2005: A 7.6 magnitude quake in Muzaffarabad killed over 86,000 people.In September, 2013: Quetta and Awaran were rocked by a 7.7 quake, killing over 800.In January, 2024 there was two quakes hit KP within 48 hours.
Final thoughts: Stay Alert, Stay Safe
The tremors of the last 24 hours, serve as a critical reminder of Pakistan’s vulnerability to earthquakes. While the quakes have not reason mass damage the sudden seismic cluster is a geological red flag.