by admin | Aug 30, 2025 | disasters, earthquakes, news, pakistan, seismology
Released on, Aug. 19 — August 19, 2025 at 11:10 AM
An intense earthquake registered at 5.2 on the Richter scale hit Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and various towns in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa early Tuesday, causing fear among locals who are still dealing with ongoing flood challenges.
The earthquakes began in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan at a depth of 190 kilometers. Although they were light, the shocks were powerful enough to be distinctly noticed in several northern cities.
Inhabitants from Peshawar, Abbottabad, Charsadda, Chitral, Haripur, Malakand, Batkhela, and nearby regions experienced intense tremors. Individuals evacuated their houses and workplaces due to concerns about subsequent shocks and potential structural harm.
The tremors were also experienced in Mansehra, Mingora, Swat, Balakot, Battagram, Kohistan, and Toghrar. Officials conducted preventive evacuations in certain regions to safeguard people and minimize possible dangers.
Luckily, authorities have not yet documented any injuries or significant damage. Nevertheless, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) has advised locals to remain vigilant and adhere to precautionary steps in case of subsequent tremors.
This seismic event occurs during a challenging period for Pakistan, with many areas currently facing sudden floods and intense rain. Officials have confirmed that surveillance mechanisms continue to function effectively to address any crisis promptly.
by admin | Apr 7, 2025 | disasters, earthquakes, emergency management, natural disasters, news
A strong 7.7-magnitude quake hit central Myanmar on Friday, leading to considerable disturbances in local transport. This disruption impacted air travel as well as railway services not only within Myanmar but also extending into Thailand.
The number of fatalities resulting from the large earthquake in Myanmar has exceeded 1,000, as reported by the governing military regime on Saturday. Additionally, over 2,000 people have been recorded as injured.
AFP.
Here are five points travelers should keep in mind:
Thailand airports are operational
Thailand’s major airports are operating normally, with most arriving and departing flights facing only slight disruptions, as reported.
The Independent.
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In Bangkok, women were seen using their phones as thousands of individuals emerged from structures following the quakes. The image was captured by Reuters.
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On Friday, Airports of Thailand, which manages the nation’s airports, stated that they have finished inspecting six of these facilities.
This ensured that the constructional robustness of their structures and air transport facilities complies with safety regulations.
By 2:30 p.m., all airports had resumed normal operations.
The inspection covered Suvarnabhumi Airport, Don Mueang Airport, Chiang Mai Airport, Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai Airport, Phuket Airport, as well as Hat Yai Airport.
According to FlightRadar’s flight monitoring information, most arrivals at Suvarnabhumi Airport, which serves as Bangkok’s main gateway, occur on time. Delays are infrequent, and cancellations or diversions happen quite rarely too.
Concerning departures, the majority of flights have already taken off; however, a few have experienced delays lasting more than a couple of hours.
Suvarnabhumai Airport informed travelers about the recent earthquake and recommended checking for traffic updates prior to departure. They also suggested allowing extra travel time to avoid missing their flights.
The airport recommends getting there at least three hours ahead of international flights and two hours in advance for domestic ones.
Railway connections in Bangkok have been halted.
All metropolitan railway services were halted, and traffic jammed the streets in Thailand’s main city of Bangkok, as reported.
Reuters
.
Worapa Angkhisirisap, who leads the Tourism Authority of Thailand office in London, stated: “The MRT Blue Line and Purple Line services are currently halted.”
The BTS Skytrain has also been halted temporarily as per the emergency procedures.
Moreover, the railway service heading towards Rangsit located in the north of Bangkok might face some delays because of continuous inspections being carried out on the raised sections of track.
Mandalay Airport in Myanmar has been closed down.
Mandalay International Airport, located near the earthquake’s epicenter, has been closed after suffering structural damage.
It is reported that the airport’s air traffic control tower has fallen down, resulting in at least five fatalities.
Videos from social media showed travelers at Mandalay Airport crouching and looking for cover on the runway as an earthquake struck.
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Following a powerful earthquake, people congregate on the street in Mandalay, Myanmar, on March 28, 2025. The image was captured by Reuters.
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Aftershock warnings
Following the earthquake, the U.K.’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advice for Thailand.
“There may be aftershocks. If you are in the area or planning to travel there, follow the advice of the local authorities or your tour operator and monitor local media,” its advice states.
Regarding Myanmar, the FCDO mentioned that the earthquake’s epicenter is located in the Sagaing region close to Mandalay City; however, effects could reach other areas as well.
The Mandalay airport is said to be closed, with several significant aftershocks possible. Should you be in the region or considering travel there, adhere to guidance from local authorities and stay updated through local news sources.
Refunds not guaranteed
As the Foreign Office hasn’t issued guidance against unnecessary travel because of the demonstrations, there aren’t specific arrangements allowing you to get a complete refund if you decide to cancel your trip.
The cancellation terms will depend on the policy of each respective holiday supplier.
Simon Calder,
The Independent’s
The travel correspondent clarified: “When the Foreign Office issues a warning against traveling to certain areas, it mandates tour operators such as Tui, Jet2, and easyJet Holidays to promptly repatriate vacationers. This is why an outright ‘do-not-travel’ recommendation is extremely uncommon.”
There is no obligation for companies to refund bookings even if customers cancel, and customers will not be able to claim travel insurance due to safety concerns unless the Foreign Office advice changes.
by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | earth, earthquakes, geology, news, seismology
On Monday, an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.5 on the Richter scale hit Tibet, as reported by the National Center for Seismology (NCS), according to ANI news on March 24th.
As per the NCS, the quake happened at a relatively shallow depth of 5 kilometers, which makes the area prone to aftershocks.
Following a posting on X, NCS stated, “Magnitude EQ: 4.5, Time: March 24, 2025 at 10:08:35 IST, Latitude: 28.94 N, Longitude: 93.82 E, Depth: 5 km, Area: Tibet.”
On March 15, an earthquake with a magnitude of 3.5 shook Tibet earlier that day.
As per the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the quake happened at a depth of 10 kilometers, which makes it prone to aftershocks.
The NCS stated in an X post that “On March 15, 2025 at 00:49:17 IST, an earthquake with a magnitude of 3.5 was recorded. The epicenter had coordinates latitude 28.39N and longitude 86.89E, with a depth of 10 kilometers, located in Tibet.”
On March 13, the National Center for Seismology reported that three earthquakes with magnitudes between 3.5 and 4.3 hit Tibet.
Shallow earthquakes pose a higher risk than deep ones because they unleash their considerable energy nearer to the Earth’s crust. Consequently, this leads to intensified ground vibrations and heightened destruction of buildings along with more significant loss of life when contrasted with deep quakes, which tend to dissipate force before reaching the surface.
The Tibetan Plateau experiences significant seismic activity because of colliding tectonic plates.
Tibet and Nepal sit along a significant geological fracture zone where the Indian tectonic plate collides with the Eurasian plate, leading to frequent seismic activity. This ongoing collision causes substantial uplifting forces capable of altering the elevations of the Himalayan summits, according to reports from Al Jazeera.
Marianne Karplus, a seismologist and geophysicist, stated to Al Jazeera that educating individuals about earthquakes and constructing quake-resistant buildings, along with providing funds for renovations and robust infrastructure, could safeguard people and properties during powerful seismic events.
“The Earth’s system is highly intricate, and forecasting earthquakes remains beyond our capabilities. Nonetheless, we can carry out scientific research to gain deeper insights into the factors triggering earthquakes in regions like Tibet and enhance our understanding of the tremors and their effects,” stated Karplus, a professor of geological sciences at the University of Texas at El Paso, during an interview with Al Jazeera. (ANI)
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.
Syndigate.info
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by admin | Jan 10, 2025 | earth science, earthquakes, geology, science, seismology
-
EXPLORE FURTHER: The Enigma of Over 100 Quakes That Hit Surrey
is solved
From Atlantis to El Dorado and Avalon, legends suggest that our planet is scattered with vanished realms that suffered spectacular fates.
Although these are often regarded as creative legends, recent research uncovers proof of a ‘vanished realm’ under the Pacific Ocean.
Researchers from ETH Zurich and the
California
The Institute of Technology (Caltech) has discovered massive formations deep under the Pacific Ocean that theoretically shouldn’t be there.
This mystery material – which is making seismic waves in the region behave strangely – could be evidence of a lost land from hundreds of millions of years ago.
Based on present scientific theories, the unusual material located in the lower mantle, approximately 600 miles (1,000 km) under the ocean surface, ‘ought not to be present’ there.
Referred to as a significant enigma, these discoveries challenge ‘our present comprehension of how our planet functions,’ stated the scientists involved.
“The team, in their paper published in various journals, emphasize that understanding Earth’s structure is crucial for deciphering its internal movements,” they state.
Scientific Reports
.
These discoveries indicate a greater variety of sources for these irregularities in Earth’s lower mantle.
The Earth consists of three layers: the crust, the mantle, and the core, as identified subsequently.
divided into ‘internal’ and ‘external’ parts
.
The issue is that nobody can observe what lies beneath the Earth’s surface, and drilling deep enough to collect rock samples from the mantle is impossible for us.
Rather than directly observing Earth’s insides, researchers examine the velocities of seismic waves – the tremors triggered by quakes and blasts – as these waves move through our planet’s depths.
Seismograph stations capture these waves, and from these records, experts can deduce information regarding the Earth’s structure and makeup.
‘ETH Zurich explained that this process closely resembles how medical professionals utilize ultrasound technology to visualize internal structures such as organs, muscles, or blood vessels within the body without requiring surgical intervention.’
It is widely recognized that Earth’s lithosphere—the rocky exterior layer consisting of the upper part of the mantle and the crust—is made up of approximately 15 tectonic plates.
Earthquakes can be identified around the edges of tectonic plates, where these massive sections grind against one another.
However, long ago, substantial tectonic plates vanished beneath Earth’s surface through a process known as ‘subduction.’
What methods do scientists use to learn about Earth’s inner structure?
Nobody can observe what lies within the Earth, and drilling isn’t sufficient to obtain rock specimens from the mantle—the layer located between the planet’s core and crust.
Therefore, geophysicists employ indirect techniques to understand what lies far below our surface.
For instance, they utilize seismograms, which are records of earthquakes, to ascertain the velocity at which seismic waves travel.
They subsequently utilize this data to determine the Earth’s interior composition—much like physicians employ ultrasounds to visualize the insides of the human body.
This is the geological process where one tectonic plate gets thrust beneath another, and gradually, an entire plate can disappear.
Previously, seismologists have located submerged tectonic plates across the Earth’s mantle, though these were consistently found beneath subduction zones.
In their latest research, scientists from ETH Zurich and Caltech employed a computational method known as ‘full-waveform inversion.’ This approach generates a three-dimensional representation of the Earth’s structure utilizing seismic wave information.
They pinpointed regions beneath the Pacific that appear to be remnants of sunken tectonic plates, yet these zones are situated far from plate edges without any geologic signs of previous subduction activity.
The Pacific Plate is essentially one single tectonic plate, which means there shouldn’t be any subducting material beneath it at all.
This implies that the anomalies are not simply submerged tectonic plates. Nevertheless, identifying the actual nature of this material—or understanding its implications for the dynamic processes within the Earth—remains a mystery.
“It’s akin to a physician who has spent years using ultrasounds to examine blood flow and discovers arteries precisely where they should be,” stated co-author Professor Andreas Fichtner, a seismologist at ETH Zurich.
‘If you provide him with a more advanced examination tool, he abruptly detects an artery in the buttocks that shouldn’t actually be present. This precisely mirrors our reaction to these new discoveries.’
Nevertheless, the researchers offer several hypotheses regarding the anomalies, suggesting that these would require additional data beyond just wave speeds to draw any firm conclusions.
These might consist of ancient, high-silica substances that have remained within the mantle from its inception around four billion years ago.
Instead, these areas might be regions where iron-rich rocks gather due to mantle activity spanning millions of years.
They state in their paper, “There are various possible interpretations for the observation of positive wave speed anomalies within Earth’s (lower) mantle besides the existence of subducted slabs.”
‘Our study highlights the essential function of full waveform inversion as a crucial technique for exploring the mantle.’
Read more
