SRINAGAR: A 4.1-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan early Friday, according to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS). The tremor occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres, raising the likelihood of aftershocks.
In a post on X, the NCS said the earthquake was recorded at 00:14:48 IST on December 19, with its epicentre located at latitude 36.76°N and longitude 72.08°E in Afghanistan.
Shallow earthquakes are considered more hazardous as seismic waves travel a shorter distance to the surface, resulting in stronger ground shaking and a higher potential for damage and casualties.
Afghanistan is prone to frequent seismic activity, particularly in the Hindu Kush region, which lies within a highly active seismic zone, according to the Red Cross.
The latest tremors follow a powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake that hit northern Afghanistan on November 4, killing at least 27 people and injuring hundreds. CNN reported that the quake also damaged one of the country’s most prominent mosques. The United States Geological Survey noted that the shallow depth of the quake intensified its impact.
The country’s vulnerability to earthquakes stems from its location along the collision zone of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, with a major fault line running through several regions, including Herat.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) has warned that Afghanistan remains highly exposed to natural disasters such as earthquakes, landslides and seasonal flooding. Repeated seismic events further strain communities already weakened by decades of conflict and underdevelopment.
Earlier, on August 31, a 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan’s Kunar province near the Pakistan border. Despite its moderate strength, the quake caused widespread destruction and claimed more than 2,200 lives, many of them women and children.
