5.9-magnitude quake hits KP; tremors felt in surrounding areas

A powerful 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck KP on Friday evening, causing significant tremors that rattled areas including Shangla, Swat, Mardan, Swabi, and Nowshera. The Pakistan Meteorological Department confirmed the epicenter was located in Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region at a depth of 101 kilometers.

DawnNewsTV reported that throughout the evening, residents could feel the ground shift beneath their feet. This isn’t the first seismic event to hit this volatile area; earlier in the week, a 5.6-magnitude tremor was recorded some 86 kilometers northeast of Balochistan’s Khuzdar.

Over the past few months, Pakistan has experienced significant seismic activity. Last month alone, two powerful earthquakes rocked various regions including Gilgit-Baltistan and Peshawar in KP. One struck at a magnitude of 5.8, affecting Islamabad and other parts of KP, while another hit with an even stronger 5.9-magnitude.

The ongoing earthquake activity underscores the region’s complex geological makeup, situated along the intersection of three major tectonic plates — the Arabian, Euro-Asian, and Indian. This convergence creates five seismic zones within Pakistan, making frequent seismic events a common occurrence in the country’s geographically vulnerable areas.