Mechanism of the 2017 <i>M</i>w 6.3 Pasni earthquake and its significance for future major earthquakes in the eastern Makran

SUMMARY Makran subduction zone is very active with ∼38 mm yr−1 convergence rate and has experienced great earthquakes in the past. The latest earthquake of 1945 Mw 8.1 event also triggered a large tsunami led to ∼4000 casualties. However, due incomplete historical seismicity records poor modern instrumentation, mechanism, co-seismic slip characteristics remain unclear. On 2017 February 17, an 6.3 rattled offshore Pasni Pakistan eastern Makran, marking largest after good geodetic geophysical data coverage. We use combination seismicity, multibeam bathymetry, seismic profile, InSAR measurements tide-gauge observation investigate seismogenic structure, deformation, this its implication for future major earthquakes. Our results indicate that (1) occurred on shallow-dipping (3°–4°) megathrust; (2) megathrust co-seismically slipped 15 cm caused ∼2–4 ground subsidence uplift at Pasni; (3) our modelling reproduces observed 5-cm-high small waveforms. rupture largely overlaps patch disturbs west east segments have not ruptured yet least since 1765. With such stress perturbation possible evolution effect from earthquake, unruptured patches may fail future. This study calls more preparedness mitigating associated hazards Makran.