Karachi: on top of EarthQuake Fault Lines

“While Karachi lies close to a major fault line, it is situated on or close to four minor faults. The first is called the Allah Bund fault and it passes through the coastal town of Shah Bundar, the area around Pakistan Steel Mills and runs through eastern parts of the city ending near Cape Monz. Another fault lies in the Rann of Kutch near Sindh’s southeastern border with India. The third is called the Pubb fault which lies near the Mekran coast west of the city while a fourth is located in Dadu district on the northern boundary of Karachi.”

In his recent article in the DAWN , Omar Quraishi has mentioned the history of earthquakes in this region and raised some questions for the government:

(1) Does the Oct. 8 earthquake in any way affect the tectonic plate movement for the rest of the country, especially Karachi, since it lies close to a faultline?

(2) Does the more recent seismic activity in the southern and coastal areas of Sindh mean that tectonic activity is increasing and, if so, should not this be a valid cause of concern given the way thousands of high-rise buildings are constructed in Karachi, often without any regard for construction rules?

(3) If the national seismic hazard map needs to be updated, will Karachi be moved from its present category of “noticeable seismic danger” to that of “significant seismic danger”?

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33 Responses to “Karachi: on top of EarthQuake Fault Lines”

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  1. 33
    khasif abbas Says:

    ary yar mujh ko to kuch bhi samagh nahi araha hai:)))…i requested you
    you to please put video by which we can understand that what had happening in pakistan (karachi)…:P

  2. 32
    Hussain Raza Says:

    Builder Mafia is ruling Karachi, they have nothing to do with reinforcement. They give billions of bribe to every one from Civic agencies to Courts clerk. They have an art to save even genuine fees. They are looting public wealth and never meet their promises.

  3. 31
    Muhammad Iqbal Says:

    I leave in Landhi Karachi from last 2 week we are facing earthquake shocks consecutively everyday and twice and trice in a day night. Every time people feel the panic here.

  4. 30
    Adeel Says:

    As of writing this, again a shockwave of around 1.1 was felt in korangi karachi. This is felt constantly since last two weeks.I think there is a need to create awareness in public about earthquake and govt should take measures to handle any situation.

  5. 29
    Taha Says:

    Dear sir,

    i have been researcinh on the Faultlines of Pakistan and the World Wide Plate tectonic movement,
    i jus wanna know about the fault line that lies under the Karachi, and its structure. information in Detail.

  6. 28
    athar Says:

    Whatever the nature of earthquake, it should be considered that first step is preparatory (before earthquake and the second is management (after earthquake). In the preparatory phase, we should be able to build earthquake resistant buildings, which cost more therefore being ingored due to high cost and low budget. Earthquake never kills, but the collapsing structures and falling objects like rocks and lose soil during shocks. May be some people die due to fear of shocks.In the preparatory stages, we must educate people on the earthquake and what we should do when there is EQ.

    So fare we have Fire Fighters, but no Disater Management Units, which can come in action when there is any sort of disaster. Whenever there is a disaster we only blame Govt. but we forget our own responsibility. How much we spend on our safety and security?? we use poor electric appliances and building material to kill ourself and our children..?? I give this example to make it a point that apart from state the individuals must also contribute in cash and kind to manage nation wide disasters. Pakistan is not a rich country that it can afford to pay subsidy on each and everything and provide free education for dozen children of each family,,,, we produce much and leave it on the country to provide education and then Jobs,otherwise they will join Madarsas.

    Sorry i am missing the point here that apart from State level arrangements, it is mandatory that individuals understand their role and responsibilities while building houses and plazas. Have we ever seen fire escape stairs in any huge building in Karachi….??? No, why,??? are we fire proof or we don’t want to protect ourself.??? simple it needs additional cost.

    Lets come to Managment of the disasters,,,, for that huge machinary and experts will be required to deal with any sort of disaster,, as we have very poor infrastructure,,, drills, cutters,,cranes,,sensitive heat detectors and trained dogs,,,what not,, it is not easy,, but we can arrange the basic,,,,,

    We talk just to get knoweldge and after getting knowledge we just become the scholars and impress others only through the knowledge we got….. For God Sake Wake Up Pakistanies,,, and be workers for Pakistan,,, we have enough scholars and politicians,,, we can export them to earn foreign exchange,, but we are in need to import workers,,,,,,,,

    Start Cleaning streets,, not just your houses,,,,, we are living in and arround garbage and sewage,,,,,,, we throw everything on road and think that we did good,,, have we ever picked a bottle from road,,,,,,,??? No,,, we ourself are asking for disasters,, we are used to disasters,, we are producing bombers and bombs,,,,, so why should we care about the natural disasters,, as mooot to haq hy,,,,,,,,,,,,,
    Have we got trainning at home or at school to perform social responsibilities,,,, no……
    WAKE UP<<<<<<<<<< or give dam to everthing not just to your responsibilities,,,,

  7. 27
    Aamir Shaheen Says:

    some one ask to send me the link of plates where
    they are meeting the plates here is the link where techtonic plates are meeting….

  8. 26
    ahsan Says:

    I am not fully aware of where karachi is placed in seismic zones according to Geological Survey of Pakistan rating. However, as my previous experience karachi is placed in zone 3 according to GSP whereas the UBC (Uni Building Code of USA) places karachi in zone 4 (high seismic prone area). The question of updation of karachi seismic zone from zone 3 to zone 4 will be partially important in the context of increased building construction cost but it will be more important when we consider the retrofitting of existing building in order to make them capable of withstanding the earthquake. who will bell the cat ???

    regards
    ahsan

  9. 25
    Asif Rana Says:

    GSP has published seismotectonic maps of earthquake prone districts including Karachi, Islamabad and Hattian Bala Muzaffarabad. These maps and Report on 29th Oct 2008 Balochistan Erathquake are available from Director Publication, GSP Quetta. Ph 081-9211041

  10. 24
    shaikh kamran, sindhi,pakistani Says:

    dear sir, i m sindhi living in hyderabad & fan of our nazim karachi,sir this is the first time history of sindh mr.nazim karachi take some serious action & take initative efforts of earth quake.
    i m very greatfull to u to someone have warried about sindh.so sir best of luck….
    shaikh kamran sindhi,proud to be pakistani……

  11. 23
    Zara Says:

    Could anyone provide me the fault lines map of Karachi city?

  12. 22
    noor akbar Says:

    today in korangi and landhi areas of karachi earth quake shocks were felted and people came out of their homes,according to met office the intensity of the shocks were 1.8 and 2.8 on rector scale. things hung on walls fell down and pans of homes broke with 2nd shock according to residents.

    this should a wake up call for goverment to practically do some thing in order to avoid heavy losses that may happen in any power earthquake shock

  13. 21
    Samreen Says:

    God help and save us all

    Regards
    Samreen Ali
    (http://www.apnaportal.com)

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