7.2 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Southwestern Pakistan
Marks Fourth Major Earthquake in 2011
The earthquake struck at a depth of 52.2 miles or 84 km and occurred at 1:23 a.m. local time or 3:23 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday. The epicenter location of the quake was a remote part of southwestern Pakistan and initial reports on CNN stated no major damage was sustained by the earthquake.
The earthquake was felt in numerous locations throughout Pakistan as well as in Iran and Iraq. Reports have stated that people in India and Bahrain. CNN reported no injuries resulting from the quake. A smaller quake was registered at a greater depth a short time later, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre. This second quake was rated a 4.9 magnitude.
A 7.2 magnitude earthquake is considered a major earthquake with any quake that registers 8.0 or higher being classified as "great." The last major earthquake to strike Pakistan was October 8, 2005. That quake was a 7.6 magnitude and resulted in 86,000 fatalities and more than 69,000 injuries and is known as the Kashmir Earthquake.
While these two quakes are within similar ranges of intensity, the location of each marks the difference in loss of life and damage to property. The 2005 earthquake was centered near Islamabad, in the densely-populated areas of northern Pakistan and was a shallower quake, marked at a depth of 16.2 miles. This quake also caused the deaths of 1,350 people and injured 6,266 in India. This earthquake also caused landslides and rockslides that escalated damage in the area. The quake was ultimately responsible for 4 million being left homeless.
This earthquake in Pakistan is the fourth major (7.0 to 7.9 magnitude) earthquake to strike worldwide thus far in 2011.
Published by Tammy Lee Morris - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle
Tammy Lee Morris is a lifelong resident of southern Illinois where she enjoys a quiet life in a rural area. After working for a local newspaper while studying journalism at a local community college, she dev... View profile
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7 Comments
Post a Commentgreat article.. :o)
Oh, it's been a busy couple of day and I've missed this on the news - thanks!
I have a friend who has family in Pakistan. Thank you for the update - I'll ask her if everyone she knows there is okay!
We are living in 'angry' times not just men, but our planet seems so angry!.
Those poor people . . .
Excellent reporting! What a sad event! I can only imagine the devastation.
Wow, I had not heard about this yet. I have been in a couple earthquakes being from California. Nothing quite that bad though!