Shallow M5.4 Earthquake hit near Layyah in Pakistan on Wednesday Afternoon.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on September 11th, 2024. Last updated September 19th, 2024.

Around noon of Wednesday September 11th, 2024, a shallow and significant M5.4 earthquake hit under land 38 kilometer from Layyah in Pakistan. Around 54 million people have been exposed to shaking. Afghanistan is also near its epicenter.

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Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Pakistan, 38 kilometer (24 mi) northwest of Layyah in Punjab. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 10 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Sep 11, 2024 12:28 (Karachi Time) - Sep 11, 2024 07:28 Universal Time.
Location:	38 km NW of Layyah, Punjab, Pakistan. Coordinates 31°10'38"N 70°37'46"E.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.4 Detected by 225 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.039 .
Depth:	10 km (6 mi) A very shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	VII Very Strong On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Tsunami very unlikely While this was a shallow earthquake, it appears to have occurred under land with a magnitude not strong enough to cause tsunami's. Always stay cautious - More info here.

Minimal impact predicted

Based on scientific estimates by the US Geographic Survey (USGS), the risk of high fatalities for this earthquake is classified at level GREEN (low). They expect an 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities, and a 96% chance that the number of fatalities falls no higher than 10.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level GREEN (low). They expect an 52% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact, and a 91% chance that the economic impact of this earthquake falls no higher than 10 million USD.

Roughly 54 million people exposed to shaking

An estimated 54 million have been exposed to shaking (An MMI or Modified Mercalli Intensity level II or higher) as a result of this earthquake according scientific estimates published by the USGS.

An estimated 203,300 people were exposed to level VI. At this level, strong shaking and probably light damage can be expected. Intensity level III was experienced by the majority of people (around 33 million). In their region, weak shaking and probably no damage can be expected.

People in 2 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Pakistan , around 54 million people, with impact levels up to VI (strong shaking, probably light damage). Shaking was experienced by inhabitants of Afghanistan too.

Nearby towns and cities

This earthquake struck within proximity of multiple countries. Pakistan and Afghanistan are both within 300km distance of its epicenter.

Located 31 kilometer (19 mi) west of the epicenter of this earthquake, Karor (Punjab, Pakistan) is the nearest significant population center. Karor experienced an earthquake intensity (MMI Scale) of roughly V. That level implies moderate shaking and very light damage.

Multiple major population centers exist within 300km of the earthquake that struck today. Faisalabad is located 235 km to the east (intensity unknown, possibly low). Multan is located 136 km to the south-east and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Bahawalpur is located 222 km to the south-southeast and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage).

A complete list of nearby places is included below. Estimated intensity data (MMI) sourced from a shake-map published by the US Geographic Survey is shown where available (cities without data probably experienced little impact).

Overview of nearby places

Earthquake Intensity Map

The intensity in shaking and damage by this earthquake is illustrated through the map below. The highest intensity measured for this earthquake is VI.

I Not felt

II Weak

III Weak

IV Light

V Moderate

VI Strong

VII Very Strong

VIII Severe

IX Violent

X Extreme

Shaking reported by 101 people in 2 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 101 people have reported shaking in 39 places in 2 countries (India, Pakistan).We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

• Multan, Punjab, Pakistan: 21 people.
• Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan: 15 people.
• Islamabad, Federal Capital Area, Pakistan: 9 people.
• Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan: 5 people.
• Lieah, Punjab, Pakistan: 4 people.
• Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan: 4 people.
• Karor Lal Esan, Punjab, Pakistan: 3 people.
• Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan: 3 people.
• Jhang, Punjab, Pakistan: 3 people.
• Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan: 2 people.

Risk of aftershocks?

We monitor for foreshocks or aftershocks that have a magnitude of 2.5+ and occur within 100km (62 mi) of the epicenter of this earthquake. So far no such earthquakes have been detected.

Aftershocks are usually at least 1 order of magnitude less strong than main shocks. The more time passes, the smaller the chance and likely strength of any potential aftershocks.

The chance that a significant earthquake like this one is followed by an even larger earthquake is not so large. On average, scientists estimate a 94% chance that a major earthquake will not be followed by an even larger one. It is still adviced to be aware of this risk

Earthquakes like this are common in the region

Earthquakes of this strength occur quite regularly in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since June 21st, 2022, when a 6 magnitude earthquake hit 232 km (144 mi) further north-northwest. That was also the heaviest earthquake to hit the region in the past 10 years.

In total, 4 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.4 or higher have been registered within 300km (186 mi) of this epicenter in the past 10 years. This comes down to an average of once every 3 years.

Tsunami very unlikely

While MAG-6.5+ earthquakes may cause tsunami's, it appears that the epicenter of this earthquake hit under land. In addition, the reported depth is deeper than 100km, making the risk of a tsunami even less likely. However always stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Sources

Last updated 19/09/24 08:08 (). As more information on this earthquake becomes available this article will be updated. This article is automatically composed based on data originating from multiple sources.

1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us7000nd1m
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20240911_0000080
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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