A moderate Islamabad earthquake jolted the twin cities and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Saturday afternoon, triggering brief panic but causing no reported damage or casualties. The 5.5-magnitude quake struck at 12:30pm, with tremors felt across a wide region. According to Pakistan’s National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC), the quake’s epicenter was located 60 kilometers northwest of Rawalpindi at a shallow depth of 12 kilometers.
Conflicting Reports on Magnitude and Depth
While local seismic authorities reported a 5.5 magnitude, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded it as a 5.0-magnitude event, placing its depth at 39.2 kilometers. Despite this minor discrepancy, both agencies confirmed the same general location near the federal capital.
Widespread Tremors Across KP
Before the Islamabad quake, a 4.3-magnitude tremor rattled the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border region at 11:54am. This earlier quake had a depth of 88 kilometers and sent tremors into multiple districts in northern Pakistan. Areas such as Shangla, Swat, Mardan, Abbottabad, Haripur, Mansehra, and Kohistan felt the jolts. People in these regions stepped out of homes and offices as buildings briefly shook.
Later, a 5.5-magnitude tremor—confirmed as separate from the earlier quake—again shook several KP cities. Reports from Peshawar, Hazara Division, and Swabi indicated widespread awareness of the shaking, though no significant damage was observed.
Another low-intensity 3.8-magnitude quake was also recorded in the same Afghanistan-Tajikistan region at 11:26am, just half an hour before the second quake. The NSMC said it originated at a depth of 109 kilometers.
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Public Response and Safety Measures
As tremors hit the capital region, residents of Islamabad and Rawalpindi evacuated buildings and gathered in open areas. Many shared reports of mild shaking and swaying fixtures, prompting a quick response from emergency authorities. Fortunately, no infrastructure damage, injuries, or other emergencies were reported.
Authorities encouraged the public to remain calm but alert, especially given the frequency of seismic activity in recent months.
A Pattern of Seismic Activity
According to geological experts, Pakistan lies at the intersection of three major tectonic plates—the Arabian, Indian, and Eurasian. This positioning places the country in a highly active seismic zone, with five distinct seismic regions defined within its borders.
In February alone, Pakistan recorded around 20 low-intensity earthquakes, averaging more than one tremor per day. Experts suggest that these minor seismic movements help release tectonic stress gradually, reducing the risk of major destructive quakes.
Muhammad Rehan, a geological engineer, stated that such small but regular tremors serve as a natural safety mechanism. “These activities release accumulated energy slowly and can delay or prevent large-scale disasters,” he noted.
With no casualties and minimal disturbance, Saturday’s twin quakes serve as a reminder of Pakistan’s vulnerable geography—and the importance of preparedness in the face of future seismic events.
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