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4.0 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Tajikistan at 135km Depth

A 4.0 magnitude earthquake struck Tajikistan at a significant depth of 135 kilometers. This event follows a more powerful but shallower 4.8 magnitude tremor that hit the same region just days prior. Tajikistan's mountainous terrain makes it exceptionally prone to earthquakes, floods, and landslides, with climate change predicted to worsen these vulnerabilities. The country's deteriorating infrastructure and isolation further complicate disaster resilience and recovery efforts.

Key Points: Earthquake in Tajikistan: 4.0 Magnitude Tremor Recorded

  • 4.0 magnitude quake at 135km depth
  • Follows a 4.8 magnitude shallow quake days earlier
  • Shallow quakes cause stronger ground shaking
  • Tajikistan is highly vulnerable to natural hazards
  • Climate change is exacerbating risks like glacier loss
2 min read

Earthquake of magnitude 4.0 strikes Tajikistan

A 4.0 magnitude earthquake struck Tajikistan at a depth of 135km. Learn about the region's seismic activity and climate vulnerabilities.

"EQ of M: 4.0, On: 05/02/2026 02:06:15 IST, Lat: 37.35 N, Long: 71.98 E, Depth: 135 Km, Location: Tajikistan. - National Center for Seismology"

Dushanbe, February 5

An earthquake of magnitude 4.0 struck Tajikistan on Wednesday, a statement by the National Center for Seismology said.

The earthquake occurred at a depth of 135km.

In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 4.0, On: 05/02/2026 02:06:15 IST, Lat: 37.35 N, Long: 71.98 E, Depth: 135 Km, Location: Tajikistan."

Earlier on February 1, an earthquake of 4.8 magnitude struck the region at a shallow depth of 10km, making it susceptible to aftershocks.

In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 4.8, On: 01/02/2026 23:34:05 IST, Lat: 37.55 N, Long: 72.01 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Tajikistan."

Shallow earthquakes are generally more dangerous than deep earthquakes. This is because the seismic waves from shallow earthquakes have a shorter distance to travel to the surface, resulting in stronger ground shaking and potentially more damage to structures and greater casualties.

Tajikistan is a mountainous country with diverse topography and is especially vulnerable to climate hazards. It is prone to earthquakes, floods, droughts, avalanches, landslides and mudslides. The most susceptible areas are the glacier-dependent river basins supplying hydropower and water resources for irrigation, fragile mountain ecosystems and isolated forests with mountainous and riverine terrain, which makes them prone to landslides and land degradation.

As per the World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal, climate change is exacerbating Tajikistan's vulnerabilities, given that 30 per cent of glaciers are predicted to disappear by 2050. Tajikistan also remains one of the most isolated countries in the world - a situation made worse by landslides, debris flows and floods that can render bridges unsafe and roads impassable and, through time, weaken the flood defences which protect its most exposed communities.

In addition to this chronic challenge, Tajikistan's infrastructure is gradually deteriorating as a result of insufficient maintenance and repeated exposure to natural hazards.

As per the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery, it is important to blend hazard information and climate change scenarios with local knowledge in the design of newly constructed and rehabilitated infrastructure assets to improve resilience over time.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The article highlights how climate change is making everything worse. Glaciers melting by 2050 will affect river systems and increase landslides. It's a global problem, not just Tajikistan's. We need more international cooperation on disaster resilience.
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Arjun K
Magnitude 4.0 is relatively mild, but the location and depth matter. Being a mountainous region, even a smaller quake can trigger landslides. Hope our neighbors are safe and their infrastructure holds up. 🙏
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Priya S
It's sad to read about the deteriorating infrastructure and isolation. Natural disasters hit the poorest the hardest. While the article is informative, I wish it had more about the on-ground relief efforts or how India could assist as a regional partner.
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Michael C
The technical details from the NCS are impressive. Sharing precise data like this publicly helps with research and preparedness. The point about blending scientific info with local knowledge for building resilience is spot on.
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Nisha Z
Living in a disaster-prone area is a constant struggle. My heart goes out to the people of Tajikistan. We face similar challenges with floods and landslides in parts of India. Proper urban planning and early warning systems are key.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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