Afghanistan hit by 4.9-magnitude earthquake

A 4.9-magnitude earthquake shook Afghanistan on Friday, according to the National Center for Seismology (NCS). The quake occurred 160 km below the surface.

In a post on X, NCS shared details:
"EQ of M: 4.9, On: 21/03/2025 01:00:57 IST, Lat: 36.48 N, Long: 71.45 E, Depth: 160 Km, Location: Afghanistan."



Just days earlier, on March 13, a 4.0-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan at a depth of 10 km, making it more likely to cause aftershocks.

"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," NCS reported.


Experts warn that shallow earthquakes, like the one on March 13, tend to cause more damage as they release energy closer to the surface, leading to stronger tremors and destruction.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), Afghanistan is highly vulnerable to natural disasters such as earthquakes, landslides, and floods. These frequent quakes worsen conditions for communities already struggling with decades of conflict and underdevelopment.

Afghanistan is located in a highly active seismic zone, particularly in the Hindu Kush region, where earthquakes are common. The country sits on multiple fault lines between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, with one passing directly through Herat.

While an earthquake's magnitude matters, its depth also plays a key role in its impact. Shallower quakes tend to be more destructive as they shake the surface more intensely. Afghanistan frequently experiences such earthquakes due to the movement of its tectonic plates.