QUETTA: Balochistan’s seismic zone remained active on Wednesday as mild earthquakes were recorded in the Khuzdar and Sibi districts, according to the National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC).
Khuzdar experienced a 3.3-magnitude tremor at a depth of 15 kilometres, with the epicentre located about 80 kilometres southwest of the city.
Sibi, meanwhile, reported a 4.0-magnitude quake originating 50 kilometres southwest of the district at a depth of 10 kilometres. No casualties or damage were reported from either area, and authorities confirmed that monitoring efforts are ongoing.
The region has witnessed consistent low-intensity seismic activity throughout November. On November 26, Sibi recorded a 3.1-magnitude quake with an epicentre roughly 60 kilometres northeast of the district.
Earlier, on November 8, tremors measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale were felt in Ziarat and surrounding areas, though no major losses were reported. The NSMC said that quake originated 67 kilometres northeast of Quetta. These recurring tremors have kept residents alert but have so far resulted in no significant destruction.
Though recent activity has been mild, Balochistan has a long history of powerful and devastating earthquakes. The last major quake in Ziarat occurred in 2008, killing more than 200 people and injuring around 500.
Entire settlements were flattened, and thousands were displaced as homes and government buildings collapsed. Neighbouring districts, including Pishin, Bolan, Chaman, and Quetta, also reported heavy losses during that disaster.
Pakistan’s vulnerability to major quakes is well-documented, from the 2005 northern earthquake that claimed 73,000 lives to the catastrophic 1935 Quetta quake, which killed around 30,000 people.
Experts attribute the region’s persistent seismic activity to its position along a major fault line where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates converge. This geological setting makes Balochistan particularly prone to earthquakes, while its vast and sparsely populated landscape often complicates timely rescue and relief efforts.
