A major earthquake strikes Pakistan - 7.8 in magnitude , with a strong aftershock measuring 5.9 following shortly thereafter !

Major 7.8 Magnitude Earthquake, 5.9M Aftershock Shakes Pakistan, India

Submitted by Tyler Durden on 09/24/2013 08:01 -0400

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A few minutes ago headlines hit that as a result of a strong earthquake, buildings shook in Delhi, India. Moments later, the USGS confirmed that a major 7.8 magnitude earthquake with an epicenter 9 miles below the Awaran/Balochistan region in Pakistan had struck, some 43 miles NNE of Awaran, and close to the India border. It is unclear yet if the two quakes were the same although it seems likely. Reuters had this preliminary report: "An strong earthquake struck remote western Pakistan on Tuesday and was felt in the Indian capital of New Delhi where buildings shook. The United States Geological Survey said that a 7.8 magnitude quake struck 145 miles southeast of Dalbandin, in Pakistan's western province of Balochistan."

Below is the current report from the USGS, we will provide more as we get it - expect much more news out of this very densely and heavily populated region.

And moments later, the USGS reported of a major 5.9 magnitude aftershock:

http://www.businessinsider.com/earthquake-strikes-southern-pakistan-2013-9

A earthquake of 7.8 magnitude has struck southern Pakistan, about 258 northwest of Karachi, at a depth of about 9 miles. The area is not densely populated — but it is a poor area where most structures are vulnerable to earthquake shaking.

Here is a local liveblog from The Tribune in Pakistan. Many deaths are expected.

There are reports that the quake was felt as far as Delhi, which is more than 1,000 miles away.

It is the largest earthquake in Pakistan since 2005, when a 7.6 earthquake hit Kashmir. More than 87,500 died, 138,000 were injured and more than 3.5 million were rendered homeless.

In April a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southeast Iran, bordering Pakistan. At least 35 people were killed and 150 injured in southwestern Pakistan.