The 5.4 magnitude earthquake which shook Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, June 13, is an ugly reminder of nature's fault-line on which the union territory is sitting. Several residential houses, a hospital and a school were damaged in the earthquake. It is no secret that Kashmir is located in the Himalayas where the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates meet. This makes the region vulnerable to earthquakes, and there have been many large and destructive earthquakes in Kashmir throughout history. The most recent major earthquake in Kashmir occurred on October 8, 2005. The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.6 on the Richter scale and was centered near Muzaffarabad, in Pakistan occupied Kashmir. The earthquake caused widespread damage and loss of life in both Pakistan and India. In Pakistan, the earthquake killed an estimated 86,000 people and injured more than 69,000. More than 32,000 buildings were destroyed or damaged. The earthquake also caused widespread landslides and flooding, which further compounded the damage. In India, the earthquake killed an estimated 1,350 people and injured more than 6,266. More than 10,000 buildings were destroyed or damaged. The earthquake also caused widespread power outages and communication disruptions. The 2005 Kashmir earthquake was a major humanitarian crisis, and the international community responded with a massive relief effort. The United Nations, the United States, and other countries provided food, water, medical supplies, and shelter to those affected by the earthquake. The 2005 Kashmir earthquake was a reminder of the seismic risk in the region. The region is located in a seismically active zone, and there is a high risk of future earthquakes. The international community must continue to support efforts to reduce the risk of earthquakes in Kashmir and other seismically active regions. In addition to the 2005 earthquake, there have been many other large and destructive earthquakes in Kashmir throughout history. Some of the most notable include: The 1555 Kashmir earthquake, which had a magnitude of 7.7 and killed an estimated 200,000 people. The 1885 Kashmir earthquake, which had a magnitude of 7.6 and killed an estimated 50,000 people. The 1905 Kashmir earthquake, which had a magnitude of 7.5 and killed an estimated 30,000 people. The frequency and magnitude of earthquakes in Kashmir are likely to increase in the future due to the ongoing collision of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates. The region is also vulnerable to other natural disasters, such as floods, landslides, and avalanches. We must focus on building stronger infrastructure that can withstand earthquakes and other natural disasters and also educate public about the risks of natural disasters and how to prepare for them.