ISLAMABAD: A 4.7-magnitude earthquake struck Peshawar on Wednesday, causing widespread alarm among residents and briefly halting daily activities across the city.
The Seismological Centre confirmed that the tremor originated from the Hindu Kush mountain range in Afghanistan.
The quake’s epicentre was recorded at a depth of 211 kilometres beneath the earth’s surface.
This earthquake is the latest in a string of seismic events that have unsettled the region in recent months.
Just last month, a 5.3-magnitude earthquake was reported with similar origins, impacting several areas including
Islamabad, Swat, Mardan, Nowshera, Swabi, and North Waziristan.
That tremor, too, was traced back to the Hindu Kush region, at a deeper 230-kilometre depth.
Seismic Risk in Tectonic Hotspot
Pakistan lies at the convergence of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, a geological reality that makes the region particularly prone to earthquakes.
Frequent seismic activity has become a routine hazard, especially in northern areas that lie close to the Hindu Kush range.
While most quakes are moderate in intensity, the deep epicentres reduce their surface impact but still trigger fear due to their unpredictability.
Karachi Also Sees Seismic Activity
Besides northern Pakistan, Karachi has also reported an increase in low-intensity earthquakes.
Experts attribute this trend to the reactivation of the Landhi Fault Line, which had remained dormant for several decades.
The fault is now undergoing what seismologists describe as a normalisation phase, which may continue to cause light tremors in the near term.
Authorities continue to monitor seismic data closely and advise residents to remain alert and prepared.
