An earthquake measuring 4.3 on the Richter scale struck Afghanistan in the early hours of Wednesday, the National Center for Seismology (NCS) reported. The tremor was recorded at 00:30:01 IST on December 10, 2025, at a depth of about 150 km, with coordinates 36.39 N, 70.88 E, according to the NCS post on X.
The event follows a series of recent quakes in the country. On December 9, the NCS logged a magnitude 3.8 shock at 14:36:02 IST at a depth of 70 km (35.87 N, 69.41 E). Earlier that same day, a magnitude 4.5 earthquake occurred at 13:17:35 IST at a shallow depth of 10 km (34.53 N, 70.54 E). Shallow earthquakes, like the 4.5 event, more often produce stronger surface shaking and raise the likelihood of aftershocks.
Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region is one of the most seismically active parts of the country. Geologists attribute the frequent tremors to Afghanistan’s location along the collision zone between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates; several active fault lines cross the nation, including a major fault running near Herat.
The country has suffered deadly and destructive earthquakes in recent months. On November 4, a powerful 6.3-magnitude quake struck northern Afghanistan near Mazar-i-Sharif at a shallow depth of about 28 km, killing at least 27 people and injuring hundreds. That quake also damaged one of the region’s historic mosques and displaced many families.
Humanitarian agencies warn that Afghanistan remains highly vulnerable to natural hazards — earthquakes, landslides and seasonal floods — and that repeated seismic activity exacerbates the hardship faced by communities already affected by prolonged conflict and limited infrastructure. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says such recurring disasters reduce resilience and make recovery more difficult for exposed populations.
The NCS continues to monitor seismic activity in the region and posts updates on its official channels.
