4.9-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Afghanistan: An Overview of Seismic Risks
A 4.9-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan at a depth of 160 km, with prior seismic activity recorded at 4.0 magnitude. Afghanistan’s vulnerability to natural disasters is highlighted by the UNOCHA, stressing the need for improved resilience among affected communities. The region’s tectonic activity facilitates frequent shallow earthquakes, leading to greater potential for damage.
Afghanistan experienced a 4.9-magnitude earthquake on Friday, as reported by the National Center for Seismology (NCS). The earthquake occurred at a significant depth of 160 km, which may mitigate some immediate damage. The NCS provided details on social media, including geographic coordinates: “Lat: 36.48 N, Long: 71.45 E, Depth: 160 Km, Location: Afghanistan.”
Prior to this event, a 4.0-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan on March 13, 2025, reaching a shallower depth of 10 km. The NCS detailed its occurrence with: “EQ of M: 4.0, On: 13/03/2025 13:58:36 IST, Lat: 36.69 N, Long: 69.70 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Afghanistan.” Shallower earthquakes often release energy closer to the Earth’s surface, resulting in stronger ground shaking and increased potential for structural damage and casualties.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) has stated that Afghanistan is critically vulnerable to natural disasters, including frequent earthquakes, landslides, and seasonal flooding. These events profoundly affect communities that are already disadvantaged from decades of conflict, limiting their ability to withstand such shocks.
Geologically, Afghanistan is positioned within the seismically active Hindu Kush Mountain range, where earthquakes occur annually. The region is underlain by numerous fault lines due to the movement of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. Notably, a fault line traverses the city of Herat, heightening risk in that area.
The impact of earthquakes hinges on both magnitude and depth. Shallow quakes can cause more destruction when compared to deeper seismic events since they release energy with greater immediacy to the surface. Unfortunately, Afghanistan’s tectonic activity primarily involves lateral movement of plates, making it susceptible to more frequent, shallow earthquakes.
In summary, Afghanistan’s recent 4.9-magnitude earthquake underscores the country’s vulnerability to seismic activity. The combination of frequent earthquakes and a history of under-development complicates response efforts. As shallow earthquakes tend to pose greater risks, continued monitoring and preparedness in disaster response become imperative to safeguard affected communities.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
