2005 Pakistan earthquake facts for kids
| UTC time | 2005-10-08 03:50:40 |
|---|---|
| ISC event | 7703077 |
| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| Local date | 8 October 2005 |
| Local time | 08:50 Pakistan Standard Time |
| Magnitude | 7.6 Mw |
| Depth | 15 km (9.3 mi) |
| Epicenter | 34°27′N 73°39′E / 34.45°N 73.65°E |
| Type | Oblique-slip |
| Areas affected | Pakistan, India, Afghanistan |
| Max. intensity | VIII (Severe) |
| Landslides | Yes |
| Aftershocks | 5.9 Mw 8 Oct at 03:57 5.8 Mw 8 Oct at 03:58 6.4 Mw 8 Oct at 10:46 |
| Casualties | 86,000–87,351 dead 69,000–75,266 injured 2.8 million displaced |
The 2005 Kashmir Earthquake was a very strong earthquake. It is also known as the Great Pakistan earthquake. It happened on October 8, 2005, at 8:52 AM local time.
The earthquake's center was in Azad Kashmir, a region controlled by Pakistan. It was also very close to the city of Muzaffarabad. The ground shook strongly across a wide area.
This powerful earthquake caused a lot of damage. About 86,000 people lost their lives. More than 32,000 buildings fell down. Around 2.4 million people lost their homes. The earthquake affected Kashmir, Pakistan, and parts of southern India.
Contents
What Caused the Earthquake?
Earthquakes happen when large pieces of the Earth's crust, called tectonic plates, move. The 2005 Kashmir earthquake was caused by a type of movement called an "oblique-slip" fault. This means the ground moved both sideways and up or down.
The earthquake was very shallow, only about 15 kilometers (9 miles) deep. Shallow earthquakes often cause more damage on the surface.
How Strong Was It?
The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.6. This is measured on a scale that shows the energy released. A 7.6 magnitude earthquake is considered very strong.
The shaking was so intense that it was rated as "Severe" on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale. This scale describes how much people feel the earthquake and how much damage it causes.
Aftershocks and Impact
After a big earthquake, smaller earthquakes called aftershocks can happen. The 2005 Kashmir earthquake had several strong aftershocks. One was a magnitude 6.4 earthquake that hit later on the same day. These aftershocks caused even more damage and fear.
Besides the shaking, the earthquake also caused many landslides. These are when large amounts of rock and soil slide down hills. Landslides can bury homes and roads, making rescue efforts harder.
The earthquake left many people without homes, food, or clean water. Many countries and aid groups helped by sending supplies and rescue teams.
Images for kids
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Map depicting regional tectonic plates
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USGS Shakemap for the event
See also
In Spanish: Terremoto de Cachemira de 2005 para niños
