A 4.9 magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan on March 21, 2025, following a 4.0 magnitude tremor earlier. This highlights the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters, with shallow quakes posing significant risks due to the country’s geological features and ongoing challenges from conflict and underdevelopment.
On Friday, a 4.9 magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan, confirmed by the National Center for Seismology (NCS). Occurring at a depth of 160 km, NCS detailed the event on X, with specifics including the earthquake’s coordinates and timestamp. This seismic activity follows a previous earthquake of magnitude 4.0 on March 13, which took place at a shallower depth of 10 km, raising concerns for potential aftershocks.
Afghanistan, as noted by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), is particularly prone to natural disasters, exacerbating vulnerabilities in communities that have faced extensive conflict and underdevelopment. Frequent seismic events in the region cause additional damage, further destabilizing already struggling areas.
The country has a longstanding history of earthquakes due to its location in the geologically active Hindu Kush Mountain range, as reported by the Red Cross. Situated on multiple fault lines between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, earthquakes occur frequently. Shallow earthquakes, which are common in this area, often lead to greater destruction than their deeper counterparts because the tectonic plates slip against one another instead of colliding directly.
In summary, Afghanistan has been impacted by a significant 4.9 magnitude earthquake, following a recent 4.0 tremor. The region’s susceptibility to natural disasters, particularly earthquakes, exacerbates the challenges faced by communities already affected by conflict and underdevelopment. With its geological positioning, Afghanistan’s vulnerability to frequent and damaging seismic activities is a critical concern for disaster preparedness and response efforts.
Original Source: www.indiatvnews.com
