Pakistan Earthquake of October 8, 2005 (Mw=7.6)

At 8:50 am local time (3:50 GTM and 7:20 in Tehran) a severe earthquake with Mw=7.6 occurred 14 km north of Mozafarabad, Pakistan. The earthquake was recorded at all 14 broad band seismic stations of Iranian National Beoad-Band Seismic Network (INSN) at IIEES. (figures 1 & 2).

Preliminary reports of casualties and injuries have been reported especially in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Kashmir, India. People in Kabol, Islamabad and Srinagar, Kashmir have evacuated their homes. The epicenter of the earthquake is at 110 km north of Islamabad and 175 km NW of Srinagar, Kashmir’s capital. The earthquake lasted about 2 minutes, with a compression mechanism and a depth of about 10 km. (figure 3). Hundreds of casualties and injuries have been reported in northern Pakistan. Meanwhile preliminary reports are given of the collapse of a 19 storey building and Margala Towers in Islamabad. 75 buildings have also been destroyed in Islamabad. Telephone communication has also been disconnected in the Mozafarabad region. Therefore, exact reports of loss in the epicenter zone have still not been reported. The earthquake stricken mountainous region has a high potential for landslides. Preliminary reports were given of continuous landslides in northern Pakistan and collapse of village buildings in a wide expanse in this region. According to received information to this point, this earthquake is expected to have a large number of fatalities. On the other hand, instability of traditional and rural structures in the earthquake stricken region has caused widespread damage in the epicentral region.

The earthquake has also caused casualties and damages (collapse of several shops) in Lahur. Reports are also given of damages in Rawalpindi and Kuiteh. Casualties and damages have also been reported in Srinagar region in Kashmir, Pakistan. Faults have trends at northwest-southeast diirection, faults of the compressive type and related to the area between the Indian platform and Ark Mountains in northern Pakistan.

Until 10 am this morning, Tehran time, reports have been given of 4 completely destroyed villages in Kashmir, Pakistan. These reports also state that rescue forces had not been prepared for this disaster and in the initial minutes and hours extensive confusion was seen among the military and police forces, and also that the initial rescue forces were mainly among the residences and local people.

Figure (1): Seismograms of Pakistan earthquake and its aftershocks which recorded at IIEES beoad band seismic stations.

Figure (2): Processed seismograms from the 8/10/2005 earthquake, Paksitan (Ms=7.5 & Mw=7.6).

Figure (3): Central location of 8/10/2005 earthquake, Mozafarabad, Pakistan (www.emsc-csem.org)

Figure (4): Seismicity of the region during the past decade. (www.neic.cr.usgs.gov)

Table (1): List of historical earthquakes in Pakistan and bordering regions of India and Afghanistan

Figure (6): Complete destruction of 19 storey building in Islamabad (http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/09/international/asia/09quake.html)

Figure (7): Landslide caused by Pakistan earthquake(http://www.startribune.com/images/17)