KABUL: An earthquake of magnitude 4.6 struck Afghanistan on late Saturday night, a observation by the Nationwide Heart for Seismology (NCS) mentioned.As per the observation, the earthquake occurred at a depth of 82km.“EQ of M: 4.6, On: 21/03/2026 22:43:49 IST, Lat: 36.167 N, Long: 70.850 E, Depth: 82 Km, Location: Afghanistan,” as per NCS.Earlier within the day, one other earthquake of magnitude 4.5 struck the characteristic at a depth 130km.In a put up on X, the NCS mentioned, “EQ of M: 4.5, On: 21/03/2026 07:31:50 IST, Lat: 34.942 N, Long: 70.070 E, Depth: 130 Km, Location: Afghanistan.”Earthquakes can happen wherever between the Earth’s ground and about 700 kilometres below the bottom.
For scientific functions, this earthquake depth fluctuate of 0 – 700 km is split 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 approved, the term “deep-focus earthquakes” is utilized to earthquakes deeper than 70 km, the USGS states.Shallow earthquakes are most steadily extra dangerous than deep earthquakes.
Here is attributable to the seismic waves from shallow earthquakes contain a shorter distance to toddle to the bottom, resulting in stronger ground shaking and doubtlessly extra be troubled to constructions and greater casualties.Afghanistan most steadily experiences earthquakes, particularly within the Hindu Kush characteristic, which lies in a extremely active seismic zone, in accordance with the Red Unsightly.Afghanistan’s vulnerability to earthquakes is linked to its characteristic alongside the collision zone between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.
A essential fault line also passes thru substances of the nation, including the Herat characteristic.The United International locations Space of industrial for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) notes that Afghanistan remains extremely inclined to pure disasters, including earthquakes, landslides and seasonal flooding. Repeated tremors irritate the venture for communities already fighting a protracted time of conflict and exiguous pattern, leaving them with minimal resilience to resist multiple shocks.
