Residents worried as Karachi hit by multiple low-intensity quakes in two days

Nine low-intensity earthquakes have rattled Karachi since Sunday evening, with the latest tremor recorded on Monday at 8:49pm, said officials from the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).

Chief Meteorologist Ameer Hyder said that these seismic activities have been concentrated in areas around Malir, Quaidabad, Gadap Town and DHA City, and are linked to active fault lines running through the city, most notably the Landhi fault region.

Hyder explained while talking to the media that the series of tremors began at 5:33pm on Sunday, with a quake of 3.6 magnitude and a depth of 10km near Quaidabad. Since then eight more tremors have been recorded through Monday, with magnitudes ranging from 2.2 to 3.2 and depths varying from 5km to 188km. The latest earthquake, which occurred at 8:49pm on Monday, measured 3.0 on the Richter scale, with a depth of 13km, having its epicentre approximately 30km east of DHA. “These are minor tremors occurring along the Landhi fault region,” said Hyder. “This particular fault line has not historically produced any major earthquakes.”

He noted that another active seismic zone near Thana Bula Khan, and the main boundary fault near the Kirthar range occasionally generate similar moderate-intensity tremors. “Such low-magnitude seismic activity is not uncommon, and can continue for several days as the fault line stabilises.”

Among the notable quakes recorded on Monday were those at 1:06am near Gadap Town (3.2 magnitude, 12km depth), 10:29am near Quaidabad (3.2 magnitude), 11:04am again near Quaidabad (3.2 magnitude), 11:45am south-east of Malir (3.1 magnitude), 12:17pm 5km south-east of Malir (2.2 magnitude), 1:11pm 111km east of Malir (2.4 magnitude, 188km depth) and 1:38pm near DHA City (2.9 magnitude, 5km depth).

While no damage or casualty has been reported, PMD officials are monitoring the seismic developments closely. Residents are advised to remain alert, and follow standard safety protocols during any future tremors, though experts emphasise that the current sequence of events is consistent with low-risk, localised seismic activity.

The Karachi PMD reported that an earthquake measuring 3.0 on the Richter scale occurred at 8:49pm. Its epicenter was 39km east of DHA at a depth of 13km. It further noted that another earthquake measuring 2.4 on the Richter scale originated at 11:16pm. Its epicenter was southeast of District Malir at a depth of 10km. Yet another earthquake of 2.6 magnitude struck the city northeast of District Malir 42 seconds past midnight on Tuesday. It had a depth of 40km.