Earthquake hits southeastern Afghanistan

A 4.5-magnitude earthquake hit southeastern Afghanistan, though no immediate damage was reported

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A 4.5-magnitude earthquake shook southeastern Afghanistan on September 15, 2024, at 12:27 PST, according to initial reports.

The quake epicentre was located at latitude 34.34 N and longitude 70.23 E at a depth of 205 kilometres.

The tremor's depth lessened the intensity felt on the surface, and there have been no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

The earthquake was centred in southeastern Afghanistan but could also be felt in parts of neighbouring regions.

Earthquakes of this magnitude are not uncommon in the region, which lies on the active tectonic boundary between the Indian and Eurasian plates.

Residents in the affected areas have been urged to remain cautious, though no significant disruptions were reported.

Seismic activity in the region has historically been associated with deeper quakes that tend to cause less surface damage

Earlier, three days ago, parts of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were rattled by a magnitude 5.7 earthquake. Tremors were felt in major cities such as Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, and Multan, as well as in smaller towns including Swat, Chiniot, Bhakkar, and Dera Ghazi Khan.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the quake's epicentre was near Dera Ghazi Khan, at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres.