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4.3 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Afghanistan at 155km Depth

A magnitude 4.3 earthquake struck Afghanistan on Sunday at a significant depth of 155 kilometers, according to the National Center for Seismology. This event follows a magnitude 4.2 tremor that hit the same region the previous day. Afghanistan is highly vulnerable to earthquakes due to its location on a major tectonic plate collision zone and an active fault line. Repeated seismic shocks exacerbate the challenges for communities already grappling with conflict and limited resources, leaving them with minimal resilience.

Key Points: 4.3 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Afghanistan, Follows 4.2 Tremor

  • 4.3 magnitude quake at 155km depth
  • Follows a 4.2 tremor on Saturday
  • Located in seismically active Hindu Kush region
  • Shallow quakes cause more damage
  • Afghanistan highly vulnerable to natural disasters
2 min read

Earthquake of magnitude 4.3 strikes Afghanistan

A 4.3 magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan at a depth of 155km, following a 4.2 tremor the previous day. Learn about seismic risks in the region.

"Shallow earthquakes are generally more dangerous than deep earthquakes. - USGS data"

Kabul, March 15

An earthquake of magnitude 4.3 struck Afghanistan on Sunday, a statement by the National Center for Seismology said.

The earthquake struck at a depth of 155km.

In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 4.3, On: 15/03/2026 12:07:17 IST, Lat: 36.38 N, Long: 71.07 E, Depth: 155 Km, Location: Afghanistan."

Earlier on Saturday, another earthquake of magnitude 4.2 struck the region at a depth of 105km.

In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 4.2, On: 14/03/2026 04:04:16 IST, Lat: 36.52 N, Long: 71.79 E, Depth: 105 Km, Location: Afghanistan."

Earthquakes can occur anywhere between the Earth's surface and about 700 kilometres below the surface. For scientific purposes, this earthquake depth range of 0 - 700 km is divided into three zones: shallow, intermediate, and deep, as per USGS data.

Shallow earthquakes are between 0 and 70 km deep; intermediate earthquakes, 70 - 300 km deep; and deep earthquakes, 300 - 700 km deep. In general, the term "deep-focus earthquakes" is applied to earthquakes deeper than 70 km, the USGS states.

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.

Afghanistan frequently experiences earthquakes, particularly in the Hindu Kush region, which lies in a highly active seismic zone, according to the Red Cross.

Afghanistan's vulnerability to earthquakes is linked to its location along the collision zone between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. A major fault line also passes through parts of the country, including the Herat region.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) notes that Afghanistan remains extremely vulnerable to natural disasters, including earthquakes, landslides and seasonal flooding. Repeated tremors worsen the situation for communities already struggling with decades of conflict and limited development, leaving them with minimal resilience to withstand multiple shocks.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priyanka N
It's a reminder of how geologically active our entire region is. The article mentions the Indian tectonic plate... we get quakes in North India too. We really need to enforce stricter building codes, especially in hilly areas.
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Aman W
The science behind it is fascinating but the human cost is terrible. "Minimal resilience to withstand multiple shocks" – that line says it all. Our government and NGOs should be ready to provide aid if needed, setting aside politics.
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Sarah B
Living in Delhi, I always feel a bit anxious when I read about quakes in Afghanistan or Pakistan. It feels too close for comfort. Does our disaster management have proper coordination for cross-border seismic events?
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Karthik V
The Hindu Kush region is always trembling. Nature doesn't see borders. While the magnitude is moderate, for mud-brick houses common there, even this can cause damage. Hope the international aid agencies are alert.
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Nikhil C
Respectfully, the article is very factual but misses the local context. What about the on-ground impact? Were any villages affected? Sometimes media just reports the seismic data and moves on. The human story matters more.

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

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