What the record shows for Pakistan
The strongest earthquake on record near Pakistan is a magnitude 7.6 in 1935, centred 17 km WSW of Kalat, Pakistan - 91 years ago. The event is catalogued by USGS. See the event record.
Over the last 20 years, USGS has catalogued 508 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater within 444 km of Pakistan - roughly 25 a year. That rate describes how often the ground moves enough to be recorded, not how often damage occurs; most of these are never felt.
The NOAA NCEI database records 1 tsunami within 444 km of Pakistan (most recently 1935). The most significant was in 1935 near Quetta, triggered by an M7.5 earthquake, which killed around 60,000 people.
One volcano is catalogued near Pakistan, including Dacht-I-Navar Group. Volcanic systems generate their own earthquake swarms, which is why activity here can look different from a purely tectonic region.
Sources: USGS earthquake catalog, NOAA tsunami database, and the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. Figures update as the catalogs are revised.
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Pakistan lies on the active boundary where the Indian plate pushes into Eurasia, raising the Himalayas.
The only real protection is a warning the moment the ground moves - which is exactly what the free QuakeMate app gives you, along with tsunami and volcano alerts for Pakistan.
Earthquake risk in Pakistan - FAQ
Is Pakistan at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 25 quakes a year nearby of magnitude 4+ within 444 km, based on the last 20 years of USGS data. The strongest earthquake on record nearby is M7.6 in 1935.
What was the biggest earthquake in Pakistan?
The strongest earthquake on record near Pakistan is M7.6, in 1935 (17 km WSW of Kalat, Pakistan), from USGS.
Does Pakistan get tsunamis?
Yes - 1 tsunami since 1935 (most recently 1935) within 444 km, from the NOAA database. The deadliest killed around 60,000 people.
How do I get earthquake warnings in Pakistan?
Download the free QuakeMate app for iPhone. It watches your location and sends a real-time push the instant a quake strikes nearby, plus tsunami and volcano alerts, with custom magnitude and distance rules. On Android, join the waitlist.