6.2 magnitude earthquake hits north-west Pakistan

Published November 23, 2015
A view of the earthquake centre.  — Photo courtesy USGS.gov
A view of the earthquake centre. — Photo courtesy USGS.gov

Tremors were felt across north-western areas of Pakistan after a 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan's border area with Tajikistan late on Sunday, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department website.

The epicentre of the earthquake was reported at a depth of 86 kilometres.

Shocks were felt in Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Swat, Malakand, Abbottabad, Peshawar, Shangla, Kohat, Chitral, Gilgit-Baltistan and other northern areas of the country, according to television reports. The tremors were also felt in Azad Jammu and Kashmir region.

The United States Geological Survey website stated that the magnitude of the earthquake was 5.9 with the epicentre reported near Ashkasham area in Afghanistan at a depth of 92.4 kilometres.

No reports of casualties or damage were received till the filing of this report.

Read: Over 200 dead as 7.5 magnitude earthquake jolts Pakistan

The latest earthquake comes nearly a month after a 7.2 earthquake jolted major cities of Pakistan, including the northern areas on Monday, leaving nearly 300 dead and around 3,000 injured due to building collapses, landslides, stampedes and other quake related incidents.

Pakistan is located in the Indus-Tsangpo Suture Zone, which is roughly 200 km north of the Himalaya Front and is defined by an exposed ophiolite chain along its southern margin. This region has the highest rates of seismicity and largest earthquakes in the Himalaya region, caused mainly by movement on thrust faults.

Active faults and resultant earthquakes in Pakistan, India and Afghanistan are the result of convergence between the S. Asian and Eurasia plates.

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