Earthquake intensity 8.1 or 7.5?

Published October 27, 2015
USGS estimates the quake’s intensity at 7.7, then revised it down to 7.5 on the Richter scale.—AP/File
USGS estimates the quake’s intensity at 7.7, then revised it down to 7.5 on the Richter scale.—AP/File

ISLAMABAD: The earthquake that shook Afghanistan, Pakistan and parts of India on Monday afternoon occurred at 2:09pm Pakistan time and, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, measured 8.1 on the Richter scale.

The massive quake originated around 150 miles below the earth’s surface, with the epicentre located in mountains of Hindu Kush in the Badakshan province of Afghanistan.

“The earthquake was caused by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates,” PMD spokesperson Mohammad Hanif said.

Though the duration of shockwaves varied in different areas, the average duration of the tremors was around one-and-a-half minutes.

Apart from the main quake, at least 12 aftershocks were recorded, most of them mild in intensity. However, the most severe aftershock was recorded at 2:49pm PST and measured 5.3 on the Richter scale.

Within minutes of the earthquake, the US Geological Survey (USGS) estimated the quake’s intensity at 7.7, then revised it down to 7.5 on the Richter scale.

However, an official from the Met Office said that the USGS readings were different from PMD’s because they were monitoring the situation from mainland America, as USGS did not have a station in Afghanistan or Pakistan.

“On the other hand, PMD has bases to observe seismic activities in Cherat and Chitral. There is also an advanced station in the Pattan area of Swat, since these areas fall in the active seismic zone,” the official said.

After the quake, most cellular users in the central and northern parts of the country faced a lack of connectivity for up to one hour. However, officials from cellular service providers denied that there was a breakdown in connectivity.

“The problem was mainly due to congestion, as the worst-affected areas were business districts and commercial areas,” said a spokesperson for one of the largest mobile service providers in the country. “People began calling their loved ones who were away at work or in other areas,” he said.

He said that each cellular tower had a certain capacity, but if all the users in the area started calling at the same time from any one area, then the Radio Base Station (RBS) of that particular area would choke.

Dams and water reservoirs of the country reported no damage from the shockwaves, the Ministry of Water and Power announced on Monday evening.

Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.