A 5.0 magnitude earthquake rattled Pakistan on Saturday, with monitoring agencies reporting the event. The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) indicated that the tremor occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, a factor that typically enhances the intensity of ground shaking and the likelihood of aftershocks. The NCS provided the precise time and location of the earthquake. Shallow earthquakes are inherently more concerning because their proximity to the surface allows seismic energy to propagate with greater force, potentially causing widespread damage. Pakistan’s geological makeup, characterized by its position along major tectonic plate boundaries, makes it one of the most seismically vulnerable countries globally. Key regions like Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan are critically exposed due to their location on the Eurasian plate’s boundary. Sindh and Punjab also face seismic risks due to their connection to the Indian plate. This recent event follows a 4.6 magnitude earthquake recorded earlier in October.
