4.7 magnitude earthquake rocks Swat and surroundings

Swat and its adjoining areas were shaken on Friday by earthquake tremors measuring 4.7 on the Richter scale, causing brief panic among residents, 24NewsHD TV Channel reported on Sunday.

According to seismic monitoring officials, the epicentre of the quake was located in the Hindu Kush mountain range, a region frequently associated with tectonic activity. 

The quake occurred at a depth of 205 kilometres beneath the Earth’s surface, which, despite being deep, allowed tremors to be felt over a wide area.

No casualties or property damage have been reported so far. Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation for possible aftershocks.

On May 2, 2025, residents of Swat and surrounding regions also experienced earthquake tremors, causing panic among the local population. 

According to the National Seismological Centre, the earthquake registered a magnitude of 4.8 on the Richter scale. The tremors were felt across various parts of Swat and nearby districts. 

The centre further reported that the earthquake originated at a depth of 140 kilometres, with its epicentre located in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan — an area known for frequent seismic activity due to its tectonic setting. 

Pakistan remains one of the most seismically active countries in the world due to its location at the convergence of two major tectonic plates: the Eurasian Plate and the Indian Plate. 

The country's geography includes several significant fault lines, increasing the likelihood of frequent and sometimes destructive earthquakes.

Regions like Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, and Gilgit-Baltistan lie on the southern edge of the Eurasian plate, situated on the Iranian Plateau. 

In contrast, provinces such as Sindh, Punjab, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir rest on the northwestern edge of the Indian plate. The continuous collision of these two massive plates makes Pakistan a hotspot for seismic activity.