Significant Tremor Recorded in Seismically Active Region
A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 5.2 hit Pakistan in the early hours of Friday, as confirmed by the National Centre for Seismology (NCS). The seismic event was recorded at 03:09:12 IST, sending tremors through the region and reminding residents of the area's volatile geology.
Detailed Seismic Data and Recent Activity
According to the official post on X from the NCS, the quake's epicenter was located at latitude 36.12 N and longitude 71.51 E. Crucially, it originated at a significant depth of 135 kilometres. Officials have stated that more detailed information is still being gathered about the event's impact.
This was not an isolated incident. The NCS also provided details of another, shallower tremor that occurred just a day earlier, on Thursday. That earthquake registered a magnitude of 3.9 and struck at a much shallower depth of only 10 kilometres.
Furthermore, the region experienced another seismic event earlier this month. On November 10, 2025, a magnitude 3.6 earthquake was recorded at 02:42 AM, occurring at a depth of 90 kilometres.
Why Shallow Earthquakes Pose a Greater Threat
Seismologists emphasize a critical distinction in earthquake dangers. Shallow earthquakes are generally more dangerous than deep-focus ones. The reason is simple: when an earthquake originates closer to the surface, the seismic waves have less distance to travel through the earth, resulting in more intense ground shaking and a higher potential for damage to structures.
The frequent seismic activity in Pakistan is rooted in its geography. The country lies in one of the world's most seismically active zones, where the massive Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates collide. This colossal geological force is responsible for the regular moderate to strong earthquakes that are often felt in neighboring Afghanistan and northern India.
Multiple Pakistani provinces are situated perilously close to major fault lines. For instance, Balochistan is near the active boundary of the Arabian and Eurasian plates. Similarly, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan are positioned along the southern edge of the Eurasian plate, while Punjab and Sindh rest on the northwestern edge of the Indian plate. This complex tectonic setting makes large parts of the country highly vulnerable to frequent and sometimes devastating seismic activity.
