ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Meteorological Department on Wednesday clarified there was no immediate threat of a major earthquake in Karachi, assuring citizens there was nothing unusual about several low-magnitude tremors felt in the city since June 1.
Pakistan’s southern port city of Karachi experienced 57 low-magnitude tremors from June 1 which ranged from 1.5 to 3.8 on the Richter scale. The PMD has attributed the seismic swarm to the activation of a fault line in the city’s Landhi area.
The frequent tremors in Karachi triggered panic among citizens on social media, who wondered whether the minor quakes were about to be followed by a major one.
The PMD mentioned that Karachi lies near the junction of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, where small-scale stress accumulation can occasionally lead to such minor seismic releases. It said these tremors are considered “normal geological phenomena” in tectonically active zones and do not indicate an impending major earthquake.
“At this stage, based on data and patterns observed, no immediate threat of a major earthquake has been identified,” the PMD said in a press release.
The PMD said similar to all seismically active regions, occasional mild tremors can continue to occur. It added that its team is continuously analyzing seismic data to ensure any unusual activity is detected in real-time.
It said most of the tremors occurred at shallow depths which were up to 70 kilometers, which is why they were felt by residents in various parts of the city.
“Local conditions, including soft soil, land reclamation, and unregulated groundwater extraction, may also influence how the shaking is felt at the surface,” the PMD said, urging the public not to panic.
The PMD advised the masses to remain informed through official channels only and avoid spreading unverified news or rumors that can cause unnecessary alarm.
“Avoid sharing or amplifying such claims, as they can cause panic and confusion,” it said. “Rely only on information issued through official PMD channels.”
