QUETTA (Web Desk) – Five moderate earthquakes have been recorded in Balochistan since yesterday, while a 5.2-magnitude earthquake also struck Barkhan and nearby areas earlier today, raising concerns over continued seismic activity in the region.
According to chief meteorologist Amir Haider Laghari of the Pakistan Meteorological Department, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are located on the Eurasian tectonic plate.
He said the recent tremors are occurring on the upper surface of the tectonic plate and are linked to global seismic activity. Energy waves generated after the recent earthquake in Venezuela are affecting connected tectonic plates and contributing to the earthquakes.
He further noted that major earthquakes in Indonesia between 2000 and 2011 were followed by the devastating 2005 Kashmir earthquake.
According to the chief meteorologist, more earthquakes may occur until the energy waves within the earth dissipate, though scientifically predicting the exact timing and final intensity of an earthquake remains impossible.
According to the seismic monitoring centre, an earthquake of magnitude 4.2 was recorded in Sibi, while a 5.0-magnitude tremor was recorded in Kohlu.
The seismic centre said the depth of the Sibi earthquake was recorded at 42 kilometres, while the Kohlu earthquake occurred at a depth of 18 kilometres.
It added that the epicentre of the Sibi earthquake was located 57 kilometres northeast of the city, while the Kohlu earthquake’s epicentre was 65 kilometres northeast of the city.