The earthquake caused widespread destruction in northern Pakistan, as well as damage in Afghanistan and northern India. The worst hit areas were Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Pakistan's North-West Frontier Province (NWFP), and western and southern parts of the Kashmir valley in the Indian-administered Kashmir. It also affected some parts of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the city of Karachi experienced a minor aftershock of magnitude 4.6.
147 aftershocks were registered in the first day after the initial massive quake that hit at 8:52 am, one of which had a magnitude of 6.2 (a tremor of magnitude six is rated as a "strong" earthquake). Twenty-eight occurred with a magnitude greater than five during four days after the principal quake and even eleven days after, there were still major quakes. For example, on 19 October there were a series of strong aftershocks one with a magnitude of 5.8, which occurred about 65 km (40.5 miles) north northwest of Muzaffarabad. There have been more than 978 aftershocks with a magnitude of 4.0 and above, as of 27 October and these continue to occur daily.
How the earthquake happened!
An earthquake is a sudden shaking or vibration in the earth’s crust. The crust is divided into sections, called plates, which continually move in relation to each other and are bordered by faults. When plates suddenly move past each other, the built-up strain is released along the fault, and the rock fractures. An earthquake also can be triggered by molten rock moving up into the chamber of a volcano before eruption.
The Epicentre!
The epicentre was located 80km (50 miles) north-east of Islamabad but was felt in the Pakistani capital and across South Asia, from Afghanistan to western Bangladesh.
By 27 October, more than 1,000 aftershocks had been recorded. The World Bank described the 2005 earthquake as arguably the most debilitating natural disaster in Pakistan's history.
The worst-hit areas were Pakistan-administered Kashmir and the eastern districts of the North-West Frontier Province. As well as the loss of human life, the earthquake destroyed homes, public building, infrastructure, commerce and communications.
Relief agencies mobilised and pledges of $5.4bn were made by the international community - all the more urgent as survivors faced the imminent onset of the Himalayan winter.
By 11 November, the government had distributed 350,000 tents, 3.2m blankets and 3,000 tonnes of medicine and set up dozens of tent villages for those affected.
Primary and Secondary effects!
The primary effects of the earth quake are that people were killed instantly. As Saturday is a normal school day in Pakistan, most students were at schools when the earthquake struck. Many were buried under collapsed school buildings. Many people were also trapped in their homes and, because it was the month of , most people were taking a nap after their pre-dawn meal and did not have time to escape during the earthquake. Reports indicate that entire towns and villages were completely wiped out in Northern Pakistan with other surrounding areas also suffering severe damage
The secondary effects are that after the earthquake there was a chance of a Tsunami based on magnitude alone, there is an unknown probability of a tsunami. However, this probability must be confirmed by oceanographic measurements or observations. Also the earthquake caused homes to collapse, this left civilians homeless. Because of the buildings collapsing all the people had to be moved to live in tents.
Example of a badly hit area!
Balakot :
BEFORE AFTER
One of the worst-hit areas was the town of Balakot - which was made into rubble by the earthquake. The town is on a major geological fault-line and was close to the epicentre of the quake.
Other features!
Since the earthquake happened charities all over the world have been set up to help Pakistan. Here are some examples:
- The British red cross!
- CAI – childhealth advocacy international
- Global Giving
- Give world