JAMMU, Apr 18: A moderate earthquake measuring 5.0 on the Richter Scale struck northeastern Afghanistan on Saturday morning, sending mild tremors across parts of Jammu and Kashmir. Despite the shaking being felt in several areas, authorities confirmed that there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.
According to the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre, the earthquake occurred at 8:24 am (IST) in the remote Zaybak area of Afghanistan’s Badakhshan region. The quake originated at a significant depth of approximately 190 kilometres beneath the Earth’s surface, classifying it as a deep-focus earthquake.
Seismologists noted that the epicentre was precisely located at latitude 36.5536°N and longitude 70.9259°E. Due to its depth, the seismic waves travelled across a wide area, which explains why tremors were experienced in Jammu and Kashmir despite the considerable distance from the epicentre.
Officials from monitoring agencies explained that deeper earthquakes typically cause less surface damage compared to shallow ones, as much of the energy dissipates before reaching the ground level. This was evident in Saturday’s event, where the tremors were noticeable but not destructive.
The energy released during the quake was estimated at approximately 2 × 10¹² joules. Experts equated this to around 554 megawatt-hours of energy or roughly 477 tons of TNT, underscoring the powerful geological forces at play beneath the Earth’s crust.
Residents in several districts of Jammu and Kashmir reported brief shaking, prompting some people to move outdoors as a precaution. However, normalcy was quickly restored, and no disruptions to essential services were reported.
The region, which lies in a seismically active zone due to the ongoing collision between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, frequently experiences such tremors. Authorities continue to monitor seismic activity closely and advise residents to remain aware of safety protocols during earthquakes.
While this particular quake caused no harm, experts stress the importance of preparedness and awareness in earthquake-prone regions, where even moderate tremors can sometimes have significant impacts depending on depth, location, and local infrastructure.