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5.3 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Afghanistan, Third Significant Tremor This Week

A magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck Afghanistan on February 25, occurring at a depth of 80 kilometers. This is the third notable tremor to hit the region in a single week, following a 4.0 magnitude quake on February 23 and a stronger 5.7 magnitude event on February 20. Afghanistan's high seismic vulnerability stems from its location on the collision zone between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, with the Hindu Kush region being particularly active. Repeated tremors exacerbate the plight of communities already weakened by conflict and limited development, leaving them with little resilience to withstand such shocks.

Key Points: Afghanistan Hit by 5.3 Magnitude Earthquake, Third in Days

  • 5.3 magnitude quake at 80km depth
  • Third significant tremor in Afghanistan this week
  • Shallow quakes cause stronger ground shaking
  • Region lies on active tectonic plate boundary
  • Communities have minimal resilience after decades of conflict
2 min read

Earthquake of magnitude 5.3 strikes Afghanistan

A 5.3 magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan at 80km depth, following tremors of 4.0 and 5.7 this week. Shallow quakes pose greater danger.

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

Kabul, February 25

An earthquake of magnitude 5.3 struck Afghanistan on Wednesday, a statement by the National Center for Seismology said.

The earthquake occurred at a depth of 80km.

In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 5.3, On: 25/02/2026 16:42:03 IST, Lat: 36.94 N, Long: 71.43 E, Depth: 80 Km, Location: Afghanistan."

Earlier on February 23, another earthquake of magnitude 4.0 struck the region at a depth of 25km.

In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 4.0, On: 23/02/2026 22:31:06 IST, Lat: 36.66 N, Long: 71.64 E, Depth: 25 Km, Location: Afghanistan."

On February 20, an earthquake of magnitude 5.7 struck the region at a depth of 70km.

In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 5.7, On: 20/02/2026 18:39:54 IST, Lat: 35.52 N, Long: 69.98 E, Depth: 70 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

R
Rohit P
The article mentions the collision of Indian and Eurasian plates. It's a stark reminder that we in North India are also in a high seismic zone. Are our buildings in Delhi, NCR, and other cities really earthquake-resistant? We need stricter enforcement of building codes.
A
Aman W
Good to see our National Center for Seismology is actively monitoring and sharing data. The depth info is crucial. At 80km, this was intermediate, so hopefully the shaking wasn't as severe at the surface. Still, any quake in that region is a cause for concern.
S
Sarah B
The science behind this is fascinating but the human cost is devastating. "Minimal resilience to withstand multiple shocks" – that line hits hard. It's a compounding tragedy. The world must not look away.
V
Vikram M
Respectfully, while the coverage is good, the article feels a bit repetitive with all the technical posts from NCS copied verbatim. Could have been summarized better for the general reader. The key takeaway is the vulnerability of the region and the need for preparedness, both there and in our own Himalayan states.
K
Kavya N
Hindu Kush region... it's the same seismic belt that affects us in Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal. Nature doesn't recognize borders. We should have regional cooperation on disaster management and early warning systems with all neighbouring countries, including Afghanistan.

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

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