Karachi, Pakistan:
The port city of Karachi was jolted by a low-intensity earthquake on Wednesday morning, the latest in a series of tremors that have underscored the seismic vulnerability of the densely populated metropolitan area.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) confirmed the earthquake was recorded at 3.2 magnitude at 9:34 am local time. The epicenter was located just seven kilometers northwest of the Malir district, with a shallow depth of 10 kilometers.
The tremor follows a notable sequence of low-intensity quakes recorded in the city throughout June—with magnitudes ranging from 1.5 to 3.8—mostly concentrated around the Malir area. This persistent activity has drawn significant attention from geological experts.
According to seismologists, fault lines passing through areas such as Landhi, Quaidabad, Gadap, and Malir have become active after decades of dormancy, releasing accumulated tectonic energy in the form of these low-intensity tremors. This geological unrest highlights the built-up stress beneath the city.
Experts have repeatedly warned that Karachi’s close proximity to major seismic fault lines, including the Allahbund fault and the junction point of the Indian, Arabian, and Eurasian plates, makes it highly susceptible to significant seismic hazards. A powerful earthquake poses a severe risk to critical infrastructure and the lives of thousands of residents. The recurrence of tremors serves as a potent reminder of the urgent need for enhanced disaster preparedness and strict enforcement of seismic building codes in the mega-city.
