The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) reported that a magnitude 4.0 earthquake struck northern Afghanistan early Monday. The tremor occurred at 06:10 a.m. local time at a depth of about 22 km, with its epicentre near latitude 36.71°N and longitude 71.58°E. Authorities gave no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
The event is the latest in a string of quakes recorded in the country over the past week. On December 10, the NCS logged a magnitude 4.3 quake at a much greater depth of roughly 150 km, information the agency shared in a post on X. On December 9, two more temblors were recorded: a magnitude 3.8 at about 70 km depth and a stronger magnitude 4.5 at a shallow depth near 10 km.
Seismologists note that shallower earthquakes often produce stronger surface shaking because seismic waves travel a shorter distance to the surface, increasing potential damage and risk to communities.
Afghanistan lies in a highly active seismic region, particularly in the Hindu Kush, where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates collide. A major fault system also runs through parts of the country, including the Herat area, increasing the likelihood of frequent earthquakes.
The recent minor quakes follow a powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake that struck northern Afghanistan on November 4. Afghan officials reported at least 27 fatalities and hundreds of injuries from that event, and CNN said one of the country’s notable mosques was damaged. The U.S. Geological Survey characterized the November tremor as shallow, a factor that amplified its impact.
Humanitarian agencies warn that repeated seismic activity compounds risks for Afghan communities already weakened by decades of conflict and limited development. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs highlights Afghanistan’s ongoing vulnerability to earthquakes, landslides and seasonal floods, and says successive shocks further reduce the resilience of affected populations.
This report is based on syndicated information received from news agencies and official seismology updates; it is published as received and the publisher assumes no responsibility for its accuracy or completeness.
