What’s Behind the Recent Earthquakes in Pakistan? Social Media Theories Explode!
Earthquake Strikes Pakistan Amid Speculation
New Delhi: A 4.6 magnitude earthquake rattled parts of Pakistan on Monday, with its epicenter situated near a significant fault line in Punjab province, according to the Director of the National Center for Seismology (NCS).
The seismic event occurred at 1:26 PM IST, close to Pir Jongal in Punjab, as reported by O P Mishra, the NCS Director.
This earthquake marks the third tremor to hit Pakistan within just three days, leading to various speculations on social media regarding 'unusual activities' in the country, which is currently in a military standoff with India.
Mishra noted that the earthquake's epicenter was near the Main Central Thrust, a geological fault line known for its seismic activity.
On May 10, Pakistan experienced two consecutive earthquakes: one measuring 4.7 in the morning and another at 4.0 later in the day.
The recent series of earthquakes has ignited discussions online, with some users suggesting that India's air strikes might have targeted critical sites in Pakistan or that Islamabad could be conducting nuclear tests.
A user on social media questioned, 'Another earthquake in Pakistan with almost the same intensity as before. Are they still testing nukes?'
Another user speculated, 'This is not a natural earthquake but possibly an event at a nuclear site in Pakistan? #OperationSindoor.'
However, the NCS chief refuted these nuclear test claims, explaining that nuclear explosions have a unique seismic signature. He clarified that natural earthquakes exhibit two phases, while nuclear detonations show a distinct tertiary phase due to surface reverberations.
Veteran seismologist A.K. Shukla added that nuclear explosions are recorded differently on seismographs.
He pointed out that previous earthquakes were reported from various locations, making it unlikely for nuclear facilities to be spread across different regions.
Pakistan is situated along the active boundary of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, making provinces like Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan susceptible to frequent seismic activity.