4.2-Magnitude Quake Hits Pakistan: Ninth Earthquake in May

A 4.2-magnitude earthquake struck Pakistan on Friday, May 30, making it the ninth seismic event reported in the country this month.

According to the National Center for Seismology (NCS), the tremor occurred at a depth of 180 kilometers. In a post on X, the NCS shared details: “EQ of M: 4.2, On: 30/05/2025 13:37:52 IST, Lat: 32.57 N, Long: 69.82 E, Depth: 180 Km, Location: Pakistan.”

Just a day earlier, on May 29, a 4.4-magnitude earthquake was recorded at a shallower depth of 10 kilometers, raising concerns over potential aftershocks.

Earlier in the month, Pakistan experienced several other notable tremors. On May 27, a 4.2-magnitude quake struck at a depth of 111 kilometers. On May 10, two back-to-back earthquakes measuring 5.7 and 4.0 in magnitude were recorded. Additional quakes this month include:

• May 5 – 4.2 magnitude affecting regions in both Pakistan and Afghanistan

• May 9 – 4.0 magnitude near Islamabad and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

• May 10 – 5.7 magnitude in the Hindu Kush region, felt in northern Pakistan

• May 16 – 4.7 magnitude north-northwest of Peshawar

• May 24 – 4.1 magnitude near Pakistan

• May 29 – 4.4 magnitude tremor in Pakistan

A High-Risk Seismic Zone

Pakistan is situated in one of the most earthquake-prone regions globally, lying at the convergence of major tectonic plates. Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan lie along the southern edge of the Eurasian Plate, while Punjab and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir are on the Indian Plate. This tectonic boundary results in frequent seismic activity, making many regions in Pakistan vulnerable to both minor and major earthquakes.