Earthquake Activity in Karachi: Meteorologist Attributed Seismic Movements to Native Geological Faults
In the Heart of Karachi: An Unusual Seismic Kaleidoscope
Karachi has been buzzing with unusual seismic events, as per the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), reporting 32 earthquakes between June 1 and June 6. Despite resident concern, no casualties or property damage have been reported so far.
The seismic sequence began just after midnight on June 1, with a magnitude 3.0 earthquake near Malir, marking the first event in this series. The city experienced its strongest jolt on June 2, a magnitude 3.6 tremor near Quaidabad at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers.
Seismic activity peaked on June 3 with ten quakes, including three magnitude 3.2 events in Gadap Town and Quaidabad. The following days also brought more tremors, with depths ranging between 5 and 80 kilometers.
June 4 was the city's most seismically active day, with a whopping twelve earthquakes. The most significant was a magnitude 3.4 tremor northwest of DHA, followed by several others between magnitude 2.0 and 3.2. Most occurred at shallow depths up to 49 kilometers, making them widely perceptible to residents.
June 5 registered four more quakes, including the deepest in the series, a magnitude 3.1 tremor at a depth of 80 kilometers east of Malir. Other quakes ranged from magnitude 2.0 to 3.0, mostly affecting areas south and southeast of DHA City.
On June 6, five more tremors were recorded, including the weakest in the series, a magnitude 1.5 quake northwest of Malir. The strongest, magnitude 2.7, occurred at a shallow depth of just 2 kilometers south of DHA, increasing its likelihood of being felt on the surface.
Met officials highlighted that most earthquakes were shallow, making them more noticeable to residents. Quaidabad, Malir, and DHA have emerged as the most affected areas, experiencing repeated ground shaking during this six-day period.
In the face of public anxiety, local media predicted a major earthquake might occur between June 5 and 7. PMD swiftly dismissed the claim, labeling it speculative and bereft of scientific basis. "There's currently no reliable scientific method to predict the exact time and location of an earthquake," a PMD official stresses, urging citizens to rely only on official sources for updates.
Dr. Amir Hyder Laghari, the Chief Meteorologist of Karachi, explained the recent seismic behavior as a reflection of natural fault activity. He stated that when a local fault becomes active, it releases built-up tectonic stress through frequent, low-magnitude tremors.
Karachi lies near the Landhi fault, an active fault located at the boundary between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. This tectonic stress can lead to seismic activity in the region. The recent seismic swarm is attributed to the activation of this historical fault, releasing accumulated energy through a series of small quakes.
While experts predict the activity to subside shortly, there remains a low but not negligible risk of a larger quake. Such an event could cause significant damage due to Karachi's infrastructure's vulnerability. Authorities have issued alerts cautioning residents to remain vigilant about potential future seismic activity in the coming days.
[1] Pakistan Today
[2] Samaa TV
[3] Dawn
[4] The Express Tribune
[5] The News International
With the ongoing seismic activities in Karachi, it might be crucial for Karachites to stay updated on the weather forecasting, as tremors could potentially continue in the coming days. The seismic behavior in the city could be linked to the activation of the Landhi fault, highlighting the importance of monitoring both seismic and meteorological conditions simultaneously.
