Earthquake Today: 5.4 Magnitude Quake Jolts Pakistan, 8.8 Hits Russia

A strong earthquake struck parts of Pakistan early Saturday, August 2, 2025, shaking cities like Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, and Rawalpindi. The 5.4-magnitude quake hit at 2:04 AM PST, with its epicenter in the Hindukush mountain region of Afghanistan, at a depth of 102 kilometers, according to the National Seismic Monitoring Centre (NSMC). Tremors were felt across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Punjab, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). In KP, areas like Swat, Malakand, Nowshera, Mardan, and Abbottabad were affected. In Punjab, the earthquake in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Gujranwala caused residents to rush out of their homes in fear, many reciting verses from the Holy Quran. Mirpur in AJK also felt the jolts. Thankfully, no casualties or major damage have been reported so far.

Just a day earlier, on Friday, another quake of 5.5 magnitude shook similar areas in Pakistan, including Peshawar, Swat, and Haripur. The Pakistan Meteorological Department recorded this earthquake today at 2:03 AM with a depth of 114 kilometers, also originating in the Hindukush region. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in KP advised people to stay calm and contact their helpline (1700) in case of emergencies. Heavy rain and thunderstorms in Islamabad and Murree added to the chaos overnight.

Pakistan is no stranger to earthquakes, as it sits on a major fault line between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. The Hindukush region has been the source of several quakes this year. For example, a 4.7-magnitude earthquake hit Peshawar on June 11, and a 5.3-magnitude quake struck Islamabad and KP in May. Even Karachi reported unusual mild tremors recently, linked to the Landhi Fault Line.

Meanwhile, across the globe, a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific. Described as the sixth largest quake ever recorded, it caused panic in Far Eastern Russia, where buildings shook, and tsunami waves over 5 meters flooded ports like Severo-Kurilsk. The quake, which occurred at 11:25 local time, sent alerts to Japan, Hawaii, New Zealand, Chile, and other Pacific nations. In Hawaii, waves reached 5.7 feet, but the tsunami advisory was lifted by 8:58 AM HST. Countries like Chile, Ecuador, and Colombia canceled some alerts but urged residents to stay cautious. New Zealand reported unusual currents, while Russia’s Klyuchevskoy Volcano began erupting after the quake. No deaths were reported, but aftershocks are expected.

The Pacific Ring of Fire, where this Russian quake occurred, is a hotspot for seismic activity, accounting for 80% of the world’s earthquakes. Both Pakistan and Russia lie near active tectonic plate boundaries, making earthquakes today a frequent concern.