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Archive for the 'Natural Disasters' Category

Ziarat’s volcanic coughing – an interview with Din Mohammed Kakar

Many people from around Pakistan might have heard about the minor volcanic activity that took place recently in the Ziarat valley on January 29, 2010 (Figs: 1, 6 & 8). According to media reports (here, here and here) only days after an earthquake measuring 3.8 on the Richter scale, residents of Charri area of Ziarat District of Balochistan witnessed sounds of explosions followed by smoke billowing from the top of the Tor Ghar – the black mountain – and then on Monday night it started spewing lava. It’s worth mentioning here that Charri area is not far from Waam which had been previously hit by a severe earthquake on October 29, 2008. Continue reading ‘Ziarat’s volcanic coughing – an interview with Din Mohammed Kakar’

Ziarat Earthquake, October 2008: a preliminary report

Rupture near zardalu area in Ghazij-formation

Surface rupture near Zardaaloo (Shahrigh) in the Ghazij Formation.

Din Mohammed Kakar

The following report is not an exhaustive and conclusive one; many technical details have been withheld to keep it simple and readable. However, the usage of geological terminology was not totally avoidable. Moreover, data gathered during the field trips, subsequent to the October earthquake, will be published in a relevant scientific journal at an appropriate time. Continue reading ‘Ziarat Earthquake, October 2008: a preliminary report’

The Quetta Earthquake by Dr Henry Holland

When I was writing about 1935’s Quetta Earthquake (posted on October 27 last month), during my research for the relevant material I came to know about Dr. Henry Holland, about his role and contribution before and after the earthquake. Though I had already read Robert Jackson’s (1960) ‘Thirty seconds at Quetta‘ but the information relating to Dr Holland  was not sufficient enough for me to write something of an interest therefore I thought I should mention him and his work in passing in the article. Continue reading ‘The Quetta Earthquake by Dr Henry Holland’

Ziarat Eartquake: camping & trembling in the cold!

KhAdim DuRRani Quettawaal

According to media reports the  Meteorological Department says it has recorded 967 aftershocks. Though the earth continues to shake but not as violently as it did in the form of aftershocks in the first 72 hours. The reports also say people in the affected areas can’t stay inside because their houses have been destroyed and those which seem to be standing are no longer safe enough and need to be demolished. Continue reading ‘Ziarat Eartquake: camping & trembling in the cold!’

Ziarat Eartquake: links to media reports

Following are the links that will lead you to various media reports regarding Ziarat earthquake. For the time being I have included links up to November 5, but later on I will add only important news items dealing with the Ziarat disaster. Continue reading ‘Ziarat Eartquake: links to media reports’

Reconstruction of Quetta after 1935’s Earthquake

KhAdim DuRRani Quettawaal

After the earthquake Quetta needed to be reconstructed and it was felt that strong and earthquake-proof buildings were the only way that future loss of life and property could be minimised. As a result of a proper planning and design the building bylaws of Quetta Municipality came into being. Continue reading ‘Reconstruction of Quetta after 1935’s Earthquake’

Ziarat Earthquake: Pictures speak volumes

KhAdim duRRani Quettawaal

The pictures in the gallery that you are viewing speak volumes about the total devastation that has befallen on some parts of Ziarat district. Continue reading ‘Ziarat Earthquake: Pictures speak volumes’

Ziarat Earthquake

To view pictures of Ziarat earthquake please click here

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

KhAdim duRRani Quettawaal

It was only two days ago that I had finished writing my article about1935 Earthquake of Quetta when this morning (29.10.08) like the rest of the world I woke up with the news of yet another terrible earthquake that had hit northern Balochistan (the focus of my previous article). Continue reading ‘Ziarat Earthquake’

1935 Quetta Earthquake: remembering its victims, their rescuers, and, are we prepared for ‘the BIG one’!

khAdim duRRani Quettawaal

(Please note that I have divided this article into two distinctive parts. ‘Part I’ deals with the brief history of Quetta earthquake of 1935 and, ‘Part II’ with the existing threat of earthquakes in the region).

For historical pictures of Quetta please click here

Part I

Introduction

Quetta valley which lies between north latitudes 29° 45′ and 30° 20; and east longitudes 66° 50 and 67° 15, is situated at 1650 meters above sea level and is surrounded by Chiltan (south-west), Takatu (north-east) and Murdar (east-south-east) mountain ranges. The peaks of Chiltan, Takatu and Zarghun are distinctively visible from Quetta. Continue reading ‘1935 Quetta Earthquake: remembering its victims, their rescuers, and, are we prepared for ‘the BIG one’!’