[jeffers]

If the position given is accurate, this map has the epicenter marked within a quarter mile.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y138/jeffers_mz/Muzaffarabad.jpg

Muzaffarabad is a city of about 100,000 people, is located deep in a valley next to the mountain that slid north during this quake, and is less than 5 miles from the epicenter. Manshera, with a population of about 100,000 is 20 miles from the epicenter.

25k might be low.

For comparison, Islamabad, the capitol, where the 19 story building collapsed, is about 55 miles away. Another large city, Abbottabad, has a population close to a million and is 34 miles from the epicenter.

[topher]

At least the River Valley to the Southwest, West and one to the South-South-East and South-East will make it easier to access the area.

To the North and East of the quake area looks like very hostile and mountainous terrain. That terrain will make any SAR (Search and Rescue) tough.

But if major towns 70+ kilometers away had severe damaged, the epicenter area may have to wait...

Hope someone in Washington, DC is monitoring to help get aid there quickly -- even if not American. Australia/Russia/Japan are alot closer than the US for providing relief...