Earthquake in Afghanistan
|
General Studies Paper I: Physical Geography, Earthquakes, Disaster Management |
Why in News?
Recently, a powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake shook eastern Afghanistan in August 2025 and it has brought massive destruction in many provinces where people are struggling for survival.
- The epicenter was recorded near Jalalabad and the tremors were so strong that houses collapsed and roads cracked leaving thousands displaced.
- According to officials more than 850 people lost their lives and over 3,000 were reported injured.
- The devastation has been severe in Kunar, Nangarhar and Laghman provinces where emergency teams are carrying out rescue operations.
- India showed solidarity with Afghanistan after the devastating earthquake by sending 1000 family tents to Kabul for displaced families.
- At the same time, the Indian Mission transported 15 tonnes of food supplies to Kunar to provide immediate relief to affected communities.
Why is Afghanistan highly prone to Earthquakes?
- Tectonic Collision drives Seismic Waves: Afghanistan lies where the Indian, Eurasian, and Arabian plates collide. The Indian plate pushes north at around 34 mm per year and the Arabian plate moves north at about 31 mm per year. This ongoing push makes Afghanistan very active in earthquakes.
- Complex Active Fault Networks: The country contains many active faults such as the Chaman Fault, Main Pamir Thrust, Hari Rud Fault, and Central Badakhshan Fault. These fault systems cut through key mountain ranges. They slip when stress builds and release sudden energy. The widespread network makes the risk widespread across Afghanistan.
- Thin Crust and Deep Earthquakes: In the Hindu Kush region earthquakes often begin deep in the crust—some as deep as 200 km to 250 km. These quakes travel through thin crust layers. When they reach the surface they still shake hard. The slab of rock sinks and stretches, causing sudden breaks deep underground.
- Shallow Quakes: Afghanistan also experiences many shallow earthquakes. These often occur near the surface along thrust or strike-slip faults. Shallow quakes, even of moderate magnitude, cause more destruction because shaking reaches buildings faster and harder.
- Fragile Infrastructure: Many homes in rural Afghan areas are built from mud-brick, stone, or weak materials. These homes collapse easily in shaking. When earthquakes strike, people cannot get help fast. This increases deaths and damage far more than in places with better construction or support.
Regions most vulnerable to Seismic Activity in Afghanistan
- Himalayan Frontier in Northeastern Afghanistan: The northeast region stands at the front of the Himalayan collision zone. The Indian plate presses into Eurasia here and uplifts the Hindu Kush and Pamir mountains. This region records some of the highest ground motion values. For instance, Badakhshan province may face peak ground accelerations of around 0.656 g, Kabul about 0.480 g, and Kunduz around 0.540 g for a 475-year return period.
- Eastern Mountain Belt: Kunar, Nangarhar, Laghman, Nuristan, these eastern provinces sit on the collision zone between the Indian and Eurasian plates. The region has both deep and shallow fault systems. The terrain here channels energy into narrow valleys. These sins of terrain make eastern Afghanistan one of the worst-hit regions when faults slip.
- Western Seismic Belt: Falls in western Afghanistan such as the Herat province bear seismic risk from a separate fault zone, including the Herat (Hari Rud) Fault. In October 2023, a series of magnitude-6.3 earthquakes struck Herat and nearby areas. The tremors killed over 1,400 people, injured more than 2,100, and left 114,000 people in need of aid.
- Central-Eastern Fault Corridor: A system of major active faults stretches across eastern and central Afghanistan. The Chaman Fault runs north–south with slip rates of about 10 mm/year. Other faults like the Central Badakhshan Fault and Darvaz Fault also carry fast motion. They generate both shallow and intermediate-depth quakes.
Active Fault Systems in Afghanistan
- Chaman Fault System: The Chaman Fault system, stretching more than 850 kilometers, links eastern Afghanistan with Pakistan and manages the ongoing pressure between the Indian and Eurasian plates. It slips at around 10 mm per year, although some studies suggest local segments reach up to 25–35 mm per year, especially in southern areas. This high slip rate and complexity make it the fault with the fastest motion.
- Hindu Kush Deep-Slab Faulting: In the Hindu Kush region, deep earthquakes occur at depths near 200 km due to the sinking Indian slab. These events often exceed magnitude 7 and appear at intervals of roughly 10–15 years. The mechanism behind such quakes involves necking of the descending slab leading to break-off sequences deep below the surface.
- Spin Ghar Fault System: Close to Jalalabad, the Spin Ghar fault system runs for about 130 kilometers along the mountain belt and lies just 25 kilometers from the city, where its strike-slip and thrust strands pose a strong seismic threat. The proximity combined with its mixed faulting style heightens the risk to urban and rural communities.
|
About Afghanistan
|
Related Articles
