A 4.0 magnitude earthquake struck parts of Pakistan in the early hours of Saturday, May 10, at 1:44 AM IST. According to the National Center for Seismology (NCS), the quake’s epicentre was pinpointed at latitude 29.67°N and longitude 66.10°E, with the seismic event originating at a shallow depth of just 10 kilometers beneath the surface.
A Surge in Seismic Activity
This latest tremor marks the fourth earthquake to shake Pakistan within a span of just a few weeks. A 4.2-magnitude quake was previously recorded on May 5 near Chitral in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, close to the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. On the same day, a similar 4.2-magnitude tremor also rattled Afghanistan.
Prior to these, a 4.4-magnitude earthquake struck on April 30 at 9:58 PM, with an epicentre located at 31.08°N, 68.84°E, and a depth of 50 km. The strongest in the recent sequence occurred on April 12, registering 5.8 on the Richter scale, sparking concerns about potential aftershocks due to its shallow 10 km depth.
Pakistan’s High Seismic Risk Zones
Geologists continue to raise alarms over Pakistan’s vulnerability to earthquakes, as the country lies at the collision point of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. This tectonic interaction makes it one of the most earthquake-prone regions in South Asia.
High-risk zones include:
- Balochistan
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- Gilgit-Baltistan
- Pakistan-occupied Kashmir
- Northern Punjab
These areas are especially prone to moderate to strong tremors due to ongoing tectonic stress and fault line activity. Seismologists urge local authorities and residents to remain prepared and vigilant, especially as more aftershocks or tremors cannot be ruled out in the near future.
Preparedness is Key
While no casualties or damages have been reported from this latest quake, experts advise that disaster preparedness and stricter building code enforcement are vital to reducing future risks. With Pakistan’s history of devastating earthquakes—such as the 2005 Kashmir quake—this rise in seismic activity is a timely reminder of the importance of readiness and resilience.