4.2 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Pakistan; Shallow Depth Raises Damage Concerns

• A 4.2 magnitude earthquake struck Pakistan late Friday, with a shallow depth of 25km, increasing the risk of stronger ground shaking and potential damage.
• The National Center for Seismology (NCS) reported the earthquake occurred on February 13, 2026, at 23:53:39 IST.
• Shallow earthquakes are generally more dangerous due to shorter travel distances for seismic waves, leading to stronger ground shaking.
• Earlier, a devastating earthquake hit Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan on January 19, destroying homes and leaving families in need of relief.
• Pakistan is located in one of the world's most seismically active zones, where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, making it highly vulnerable to earthquakes.