On March 21, a 4.9-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan, following a 4.0 quake earlier on March 13. The depth of the recent quake was 160 km, while the earlier one was only 10 km, making it susceptible to aftershocks. Afghanistan’s geological vulnerability and ongoing challenges with natural disasters contribute to the risks faced by the population.
On March 21, a 4.9-magnitude earthquake occurred in Afghanistan, as reported by the National Center for Seismology (NCS). This seismic event took place at a considerable depth of 160 kilometers. Detailed information provided by NCS on X included, “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.”
This recent tremor followed another earthquake of magnitude 4.0 that struck Afghanistan on March 13, occurring at a much shallower depth of 10 kilometers. The NCS noted that the 4.0 earthquake increased vulnerability to aftershocks, also detailing the event on their platform with the coordinates and depth.
Shallow earthquakes are notably more hazardous due to their proximity to the Earth’s surface, resulting in stronger ground shaking and heightened potential for structural damage and casualties. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) has indicated that Afghanistan is highly susceptible to numerous natural disasters, which include earthquakes, seasonal flooding, and landslides.
The consistent occurrence of earthquakes in Afghanistan inflicts damage on already vulnerable communities, which struggle with longstanding challenges related to conflict and under-development. According to the Red Cross, Afghanistan lies on multiple fault lines caused by the interaction of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, notably within the geologically active Hindu Kush Mountain range.
Earthquakes in the region tend to be shallow due to the mechanics of the tectonic plates, which frequently slip past one another rather than collide directly. This characteristic of the geography means that the impact of earthquakes can be significantly amplified, posing continuous risks to the population.
In conclusion, Afghanistan remains susceptible to seismic activity, as evidenced by recent earthquakes of magnitudes 4.9 and 4.0. The shallow nature of these quakes exacerbates the potential for destruction, particularly in communities already facing hardships stemming from conflict and natural disasters. The geological characteristics of the Hindu Kush region further highlight the ongoing risk posed by earthquakes, necessitating increased resilience and preparedness in Afghanistan.
Original Source: www.aninews.in
