A 4.6 magnitude earthquake struck parts of Pakistan on Monday, with the epicenter located near the Main Central Thrust, a major geological faultline in the Punjab province. The earthquake, which occurred at 1:26 pm IST near Pir Jongal, marked the third tremor to hit the country in just three days, prompting widespread discussions on social media.
According to O.P. Mishra, the Director of the National Center for Seismology (NCS), the earthquake’s epicenter was close to the Main Central Thrust, an area known for its seismic activity. The faultline, which runs through the region, has long been associated with significant geological events, including earthquakes.
This earthquake comes just days after two other earthquakes rocked Pakistan on May 10. A 4.7 magnitude earthquake occurred in the morning, followed by a second tremor registering 4.0 in the evening. These frequent tremors have raised concerns about seismic instability in the region and sparked online speculation.
Social media chatter quickly spread, with some users speculating that the tremors might be linked to unusual activities, including the possibility of nuclear tests. One user questioned if the events were related to “nuclear site events in Pakistan,” while another wondered if India’s military actions could have triggered these earthquakes. Such claims, however, have been dismissed by experts.
Mishra firmly refuted the claims that the earthquakes were a result of nuclear tests. He explained that seismic events from nuclear explosions have a distinct signature on seismographs. A natural earthquake, such as the one experienced on Monday, shows two phases of seismic waves, whereas a nuclear explosion has a tertiary phase due to the reverberation of the surface. Seismographs can easily detect the difference, making it clear that these recent tremors were caused by natural forces.
Veteran seismologist A.K. Shukla also weighed in, explaining that nuclear explosions have a unique seismic signature that would not be present in the recent earthquakes reported from various locations across Pakistan. Furthermore, he pointed out that nuclear facilities are generally not spread across such large geographic areas, making it unlikely that these tremors were caused by such activities.
Pakistan lies along the active boundary between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, making the region prone to frequent earthquakes. Provinces like Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan have long experienced seismic activity due to their proximity to faultlines. While this earthquake may have caused some concern, there are currently no reports of significant damage or casualties.
The authorities continue to monitor the situation and are urging residents to stay prepared for potential aftershocks. The government has dispatched teams to affected areas to assess any possible damage, but for now, the country remains on high alert as experts continue to track these seismic events.
Sources By Agencies
