Location:

Period:

25 Nov 2016 14:18:59 - 26 Nov 2016 10:08:01 (19 hours 49 minutes)

Volcanoes in 100km radius:

None

Earthquakes:

3 swarms found nearby.

2008

PS20081005.2(40.5km)

5 Oct

2 hours

6 earthquakes

S20081005.2(45.5km)

5 Oct

1 day 12 hours

54 earthquakes

2015

PS20151207.1(108.8km)

7 Dec

2 hours

6 earthquakes

AI-generated article — for informational and entertainment purposes only. May contain inaccuracies. Full disclaimerFound an error?

Seismic Swarm PS20161126.1 in the Pamir Mountains of Tajikistan

A notable seismic swarm designated PS20161126.1 was recorded in the Pamir region of Tajikistan. The sequence began at 14:18 on 25 November 2016 and concluded at 10:08 on 26 November 2016, approximately 121 km north of Murghob. Over 19 hours and 49 minutes, five earthquakes were registered, with magnitudes ranging from 4.6 to 6.6 and focal depths between 10 and 17 km.

The sequence initiated with a magnitude 5.2 event at 14:18:59 on 25 November, followed rapidly by the largest shock of magnitude 6.6 at 14:24:30. Subsequent events included a magnitude 5.1 quake at 14:40:03 on the same day. Activity continued into the next morning with another magnitude 5.1 event at 09:23:26 and a final magnitude 4.6 shock at 10:08:01 on 26 November. Most events occurred at a depth of 10 km, except the mainshock at 17 km.

The Pamir Mountains represent one of the most tectonically active zones in Central Asia, formed by the ongoing collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates. This convergence drives crustal shortening and uplift at rates exceeding 20 mm per year in parts of the region. The area lies within the Alpine-Himalayan orogenic belt, where complex fault systems, including thrust and strike-slip structures, accommodate the deformation. Murghob sits near the northern margin of the Pamir, where interactions between the Main Pamir Thrust and regional strike-slip faults contribute to elevated seismicity.

Historical records indicate that Tajikistan experiences frequent moderate to large earthquakes. Since 2000, three swarms have been documented in the broader region, with prior episodes in 2008 (two events) and 2015 (one event). These swarms reflect episodic strain release along active structures rather than isolated mainshock-aftershock sequences. The 2016 swarm fits this pattern, highlighting the persistent seismic hazard in the Pamir.

Such activity underscores the need for continued monitoring in this remote, high-altitude terrain. The combination of shallow focal depths and proximity to inhabited areas amplifies potential impacts, even for moderate-magnitude events.

References

USGS Earthquake Catalog
Global CMT Project
Tectonics of the Pamir region, Journal of Geophysical Research