Earthquakes in Pakistan
Pakistan sits at one of the world's most complex tectonic junctions — the collision of the Indian, Eurasian, and Arabian plates. The 2005 Kashmir earthquake (M7.6) killed 87,351 people. The Makran Subduction Zone off Pakistan's southern coast is capable of generating a M8.5+ earthquake and destructive tsunamis threatening Karachi.
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Live statistics from USGS · Updated every 60 seconds. Open the full live map →
Latest Earthquakes in Pakistan
View all on map| Time (UTC) | Magnitude | Place | Depth (km) |
|---|---|---|---|
Live data from USGS · Updates every 60 seconds
View on live map →Why Pakistan Has Frequent Earthquakes
Pakistan's seismicity comes from three main sources: the Himalayan collision in the north (Kashmir, NWFP), the Chaman Fault system in the west (left-lateral strike-slip similar to California's San Andreas), and the Makran Subduction Zone in the south where the Arabian Plate dives beneath the Eurasian Plate. The 1935 Quetta earthquake (M7.7) killed between 35,000-60,000 people.
Sources: USGS Earthquake Hazards Program · National geological survey · Peer-reviewed seismological literature
Major Historical Earthquakes in Pakistan
The most significant seismic events recorded in Pakistan, sourced from USGS and national geological surveys.
| Year | Magnitude | Location | Deaths | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | M7.6 | Kashmir | 87,351 | Deadliest earthquake in Pakistan's history; entire villages in Kashmir mountains destroyed. |
| 2013 | M7.7 | Awaran, Balochistan | 825 | Created a new island off Gwadar coast; severely damaged remote Balochistan villages. |
| 1935 | M7.7 | Quetta, Balochistan | 35,000 | Quetta city almost completely destroyed; most devastating natural disaster in undivided India. |
Sources: USGS Earthquake Hazards Program · National geological survey · Peer-reviewed seismological literature
Earthquake Safety in Pakistan
How to prepare for and respond to earthquakes in Pakistan.
View full safety guidePakistan's NDMA publishes earthquake hazard maps and building codes. Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta, and Muzaffarabad all face high seismic risk. Many buildings in Pakistan's urban areas do not comply with seismic safety codes.
Official preparedness guidance: National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about earthquakes in Pakistan.
What was the 2005 Pakistan earthquake?
The October 8, 2005 Kashmir earthquake (M7.6) killed 87,351 people in Pakistan and Kashmir, and injured over 138,000. The earthquake struck during school hours, causing disproportionate child deaths when thousands of school buildings collapsed across the mountain valleys.
Why is Pakistan so earthquake-prone?
Pakistan sits at the junction of the Indian, Eurasian, and Arabian tectonic plates. The Himalayan collision in the north, the Chaman Fault in the west, and the Makran Subduction Zone in the south all generate frequent and sometimes devastating earthquakes.
What is the Makran Subduction Zone risk?
The Makran Subduction Zone off Pakistan's southern coast last generated a major M8.1 earthquake and Pacific-scale tsunami in 1945. Scientists consider it capable of a M8.5+ event that would threaten Karachi (17 million people) with a destructive tsunami within 20-25 minutes of rupture.
What was the 1935 Quetta earthquake?
The May 31, 1935 Quetta earthquake (M7.7) killed between 35,000 and 60,000 people, almost completely destroying the city of Quetta in what was then British India. It remains one of the most destructive earthquakes in South Asian history.
What should I do during an earthquake in Pakistan?
Drop, Cover, and Hold On: get under a sturdy table or crouch against an interior wall away from glass. After shaking stops, exit buildings carefully and move to open ground away from damaged structures. Contact Pakistan's NDMA emergency line and follow local civil defense guidance.
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