Timeline of major earthquakes in Pakistan (2013-1997)

A massive earthquake struck Balochistan on Tuesday September 24, 2013, killing at least 328 people, injuring hundreds and flattening thousands of houses in the southwestern province. Officials said thousands have been left homeless as a result.

The following is a list of major earthquakes in Pakistan:

On April 16, 2013, a strong earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale affected Quetta, with tremors felt in different parts of Pakistan, Iran, India and some gulf countries. The epicentre of the earthquake lay in the Sarawan area of Iran which lies close to Pak-Iran border. About 34 people were reported killed while 80 were reported to be injured with some 10000 houses damaged as a result of the quake.

On April 4, 2013 earthquake jolts were felt mainly in Northern Areas of Pakistan including FATA, measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale. No losses were reported.

On Feb 17, 2013, a 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck the northern areas of Pakistan, including FATA. The areas where the jolts were felt included Nowshera, Peshawar, Malakand, Shangla, various areas of Gilgit and Baltistan, Lower Dir and Khyber tribal regions. No immediate reports of casualties were received.

On Dec 29, 2012, a 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan and tremors were felt in parts of Pakistan. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

On July 18, 2012 a moderate earthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale jolted several parts of the country. Its epicentre was in Koh Hindukush, according to met office. The quake lasted a few seconds, but no casualties were reported.

On July 12, 2012, an earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale affected the northern areas of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, KP and Punjab. The epicentre was calculated as being 194 kilometres deep under the Hindukush range, while no losses were reported.

On May 25, 2012 an earthquake of mild intensity hit Quetta and adjoining areas. No casualties were reported.

On May 12, 2012, a medium magnitude earthquake shook parts of Sorab in Quetta. No casualties were reported.

On January 19, 2012 a medium magnitude earthquake (measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale) lasted for 30 seconds, and affected the areas of Quetta, Ziarat, Khanozai, Pishin, Harnai, Qila Abdullah and Toba Achakzai. The epicentre of the earthquake lay 90 kilometres from Quetta in Achakzai area of Ziarat District. No casualties were reported.

On May 15, 2011 mild shocks of earthquake jolted various parts of Khaber Pakhtunkwa and federal capital. The magnitude of the quake was recorded as 4.7 at international and its epicentre was 41 kilometres deep and 64 kilometres north west of Mansehra. No lives were lost.

On April 3, 2011 two simultaneous quakes shook Karachi in seven hours – the first measured 2.8 while the second measured 4.7 on the Richter scale. No casualties were reported as a result of the quake.

On Jan 22, 2011, moderate tremors shook Islamabad and northern areas of Pakistan. The epicentre lay 188km North of Islamabad in Faizabad district. No casualties were immediately reported.

On Jan 20, 2011 another earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale shook Quetta with an epicentre located 1.5 kilometres northwest of Kharan district in Balochistan. Over 200 houses were damaged.

0n Jan 18, 2011 an earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale hit areas in Southwest Pakistan, killing several people and damaging 200 buildings in Balochistan. The epicentre of the quake lay 50 kilometre west of Dalbandin.

On October 28, 2010 earthquake jolts were felt in different areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Azad Kashmir and Islamabad. The earthquake measured 5.3 on the Richter scale.

On Jan. 18, 2010 an earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale hit Karachi and lasted for about a minute. The quake, whose epicentre lay 55 kilometre west of Dalbandin, did not result in any immediate casualties.

On October 28, 2008 an earthquake measuring 6.4 in magnitude on the Richter scale hit Quetta and the surrounding areas, killing a total of 160 people and injuring 370 others in Balochistan. Several houses were also destroyed as a result of the quake. The epicentre of the quake lay 60 kilometre northeast of Quetta.

On October 8, 2005, an earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale struck Kashmir and Northern areas. The earthquake resulted in more than 80,000 fatalities, 200,000 people injured and more than four million people left homeless. The main quake was followed by more than 978 aftershocks until October 27.

February 14, 2004 had two earthquakes – measuring 5.7 and 5.5 respectively on the Richter scale – killed 24 people and injured 40 others in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province (then NWFP) and the Northern Areas.

On October 3, 2002 17 people were killed, and 30 injured, while about 1,500 people were rendered homeless as earthquakes measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale hit the Northern Areas of Pakistan. Tremors lasted about 37 seconds, and caused extensive damage in the region. Nineteen days later, another earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale hit Astore Valley, killing 23 people. Aftershocks and subsequent landslides hampered relief operations in the Northern Areas.

On January 26, 2001 15 people were killed, and another 108 injured when an earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale hit the entire Sindh province at about 8.20am. Tremors were felt throughout the province, from Karachi to Kashmore.

On March 20, 1997, an earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale hit the Salarzai village in the Bajaur tribal region, killing ten people.