A series of minor tremors continued to shake parts of Karachi for the fourth consecutive day on Wednesday, with a seismic activity tracked to the reactivation of the Landhi fault line, according to the officials.
The data published by the National Tsunami Center of the Meteorological Department revealed that 27 earthquakes had been registered in five locations in the city since Sunday.
Although the earthquakes were of light to moderate intensity on the Richter scale, their shallow depth made residents feel widely in several areas.
Malir experienced the greatest number of tremors, with 11 reported incidents, followed by 11 in the Defense Housing Authority (DHA). Three were registered in Qaidabad, while Korangi and Gadap reported one tremor each.
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The officials of the National Center of Tsunami attributed the seismic activity to the reactivation of the Landhi fault line, a latent geological structure underlying parts of the city.
The director of the Tsunami Center, Amir Haider, Laghari, said that the tremors were the result that the underground energy was gradually released along the fault line.
“This slow energy discharge is a natural process and helps reduce the probability of an important earthquake,” he said, and pointed out that Landhi’s failure line had become active after remaining inactive for decades. He added that the shallow depth of tremors was responsible for strong vibrations felt on the surface.
Provide a broader context, said Dr. Adnan Khan, associate professor and geologist at the University of Karachi PAkGazette Express that these were minor tremors and not a cause of alarm.
He explained that Karachi is located in a passive tectonic margin, far from any important failure line, causing large and destructive earthquakes to be very unlikely in the region.
“These tremors are classified as soft, as a result of minor tectonic movements and accumulation of stress in the depths of the earth’s crust,” said Dr. Khan.
He also linked these movements indirectly with the tectonic activity of the Himalaya, where the change to the north of the mountain range, 4 to 5 cm annual, can generate distant tectonic pressures, occasionally manifesting as low intensity earthquakes even in distant areas such as Karachi.
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Dr. Khan also pointed out human factors that can play a subtle role in the alteration of underground stability, including the incineration of industrial waste and excessive extraction of groundwater, which can influence local seismic behavior over time.
While until now it has not been informed of loss of lives or damage to property, experts have warned that tremors can persist for several more days. The authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and have advised the public to remain alert and follow security precautions.
