A 4.9-magnitude earthquake jolted Afghanistan on Friday, according to the National Center for Seismology (NCS). The tremor occurred at a depth of 160 km, with its epicenter recorded at latitude 36.48°N and longitude 71.45°E.
This follows a 4.0-magnitude earthquake that struck Afghanistan on March 13 at a depth of 10 km, making it more susceptible to aftershocks. Shallow earthquakes, like the one earlier this month, pose a greater threat as they release more energy closer to the surface, leading to stronger ground shaking and potential structural damage.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), Afghanistan remains highly vulnerable to natural disasters such as earthquakes, landslides, and seasonal flooding. Decades of conflict and underdevelopment have left communities ill-equipped to cope with repeated seismic shocks.
Situated along major fault lines between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, Afghanistan—particularly the Hindu Kush region—experiences frequent earthquakes. The Red Cross warns that the country’s geological activity makes it prone to recurring tremors, with shallow quakes being particularly destructive.
