Recent earthquakes in Afghanistan
Afghanistan lies in the collision zone between the Indian, Arabian, and Eurasian plates, cut by major faults such as the Chaman Fault and underlain by the deep Hindu Kush seismic zone. This produces both shallow crustal earthquakes and unusually deep intermediate-depth events. Shallow earthquakes in the mountainous east and west have repeatedly caused heavy losses in vulnerable villages. In the past 24 hours, Afghanistan has recorded 1 earthquake, the largest an M4.5 (38 km N of Ishqoshim, Tajikistan).
Counts include M2.5+ events — the smallest size USGS reports consistently worldwide.
Recent earthquakes
| Magnitude | Time (UTC) | Depth | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| M4.5 | Jul 28, 06:57 UTC | 132 km | 38 km N of Ishqoshim, Tajikistan |
| M4.5 | Jul 27, 17:47 UTC | 117 km | 9 km SSE of Ashkāsham, Afghanistan |
| M4.4 | Jul 26, 06:48 UTC | 184 km | 39 km SE of Khorugh, Tajikistan |
| M4.4 | Jul 25, 18:54 UTC | 10 km | 53 km S of Gahkuch, Pakistan |
| M4.1 | Jul 25, 16:56 UTC | 126 km | 37 km S of Farkhār, Afghanistan |
Notable recent activity
An M4.5 earthquake struck 9 km SSE of Ashkāsham, Afghanistan at 17:47 UTC on Jul 27 at a depth of 117 km.
An M4.5 earthquake struck 38 km N of Ishqoshim, Tajikistan at 06:57 UTC on Jul 28 at a depth of 132 km.
An M4.4 earthquake struck 39 km SE of Khorugh, Tajikistan at 06:48 UTC on Jul 26 at a depth of 184 km.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Afghanistan have earthquakes?
Afghanistan sits where the Indian and Arabian plates push into Eurasia, straining faults across the country. The Hindu Kush region also hosts a deep slab that produces intermediate-depth earthquakes felt across a wide area.
What is the Hindu Kush seismic zone?
Beneath the Hindu Kush mountains, a remnant of subducted plate produces frequent earthquakes at depths of 100 to 250 km. These deep events, sometimes magnitude 6 to 7, are felt across Afghanistan, Pakistan, and northern India but usually cause limited surface damage.
What were Afghanistan's deadliest recent earthquakes?
Shallow earthquakes have caused severe losses, including the June 2022 Paktika earthquake (M6.2) and a series of magnitude 6.3 earthquakes near Herat in October 2023, each killing thousands in the region's vulnerable housing.
Nearby regions
Live data from the USGS earthquake feeds. Magnitudes and depths are automated readings and may be revised. Not for emergency use.