Parts of country jolted by 4.4 magnitude earthquake
June 17, 2021 08:58 PM
An earthquake of magnitude 4.4 occurred Thursday at 7:19 pm near Battagram, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to preliminary data, the quake was located at a shallow depth of 20km. Shallow earthquakes are felt more strongly than deeper ones as they are closer to the surface. The exact magnitude, epicentre, and depth of the quake might be revised within the next few hours or minutes as seismologists review data and refine their calculations, or as other agencies issue their report.
However, the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) has measured the earthquake as of 4.8magnitude with 10km depth.
Based on the preliminary seismic data, the quake was probably felt by many people in the area of the epicentre. It should not have caused significant damage, other than objects falling from shelves, broken windows, etc.
In Battagram located 27 km from the epicentre, the quake should have been felt as light shaking.
Weak shaking might have been felt in Mansehra located 42 km from the epicentre, Abbottabad 61km away, Havelian 72km away, Haripur 85 km away, and Mingora 88km away.
Other towns or cities near the epicentre where the quake might have been felt as very weak shaking include Islamabad and parts of Azad Kashmir including Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley and other cities and town.
However, no loss of life was initially reported. Terrified residents fled their homes and offices as buildings swayed. Television footage showed people praying in public.