NewKerala.com

4.0 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Afghanistan, Follows Earlier Tremor

A magnitude 4.0 earthquake struck Afghanistan on Sunday evening at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, according to the National Center for Seismology. This event followed a magnitude 4.1 tremor that occurred in the same region earlier that morning. Afghanistan is highly prone to earthquakes due to its location on a major tectonic plate collision zone and a significant fault line. Repeated seismic shocks exacerbate the hardship for communities already weakened by conflict and underdevelopment, leaving them with little capacity to cope.

Key Points: Magnitude 4.0 Earthquake Hits Afghanistan, NCS Reports

  • Magnitude 4.0 quake at 10km depth
  • Follows a 4.1 tremor same morning
  • Region lies in active seismic zone
  • Shallow quakes cause stronger ground shaking
  • Communities have minimal resilience after decades of conflict
2 min read

Earthquake of magnitude 4 strikes Afghanistan

A magnitude 4.0 earthquake struck Afghanistan Sunday evening at shallow depth. This follows a 4.1 tremor earlier the same day, highlighting the region's seismic vulnerability.

"Shallow earthquakes are generally more dangerous than deep earthquakes. - National Center for Seismology"

Kabul, January 18

An earthquake of magnitude 4.0 struck Afghanistan on Sunday evening, as reported by the National Center for Seismology.

As per the NCS, the earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres at 20:30 IST.

"EQ of M: 4.0, On: 18/01/2026 20:30:11 IST, Lat: 33.70 N, Long: 65.57 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Afghanistan", NCS said on X.

Earlier on Sunday morning, an earthquake of magnitude 4.1 struck Afghanistan.

In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 4.1, On: 18/01/2026 07:05:58 IST, Lat: 33.74 N, Long: 65.70 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: Afghanistan."

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.

Earlier, on January 15, an earthquake of magnitude 4.2 struck the region at a depth of 96km. In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 4.2, On: 15/01/2026 13:08:48 IST, Lat: 36.36 N, Long: 71.28 E, Depth: 96 Km, Location: Afghanistan."

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

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
The article mentions the depth being only 10km. That's quite shallow and dangerous. Thank God the magnitude was only 4.0. We in North India also feel tremors from Afghanistan sometimes. Hope our authorities are monitoring this seismic activity closely.
A
Aman W
The science behind it is fascinating—the Indian plate colliding with the Eurasian plate. It explains why we have so many quakes in the Himalayas too. But it's a grim reminder that nature doesn't recognize borders. We should be prepared on our side as well.
S
Sarah B
While the report is factual, I wish it provided more context on the humanitarian impact. Are there any casualties? Is aid reaching people? The UNOCHA mention is important, but as readers, we need to know about the human story, not just the seismic data.
K
Karthik V
This is a regular occurrence in that region. The Hindu Kush is very active. Thankfully, these are smaller magnitudes. But it's a ticking time bomb. A major one could be devastating given the poor infrastructure. India has offered aid in the past, hope it reaches those in need.
N
Nisha Z
Stay safe, everyone in the affected areas. Natural disasters are the worst. It's good that our National Center for Seismology is tracking these events precisely. Information is key for disaster preparedness, even for neighboring countries.

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

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50