Magnitude 4.3 earthquake strikes Afghanistan

Kabul: An earthquake of magnitude 4.3 struck Afghanistan in the early hours of Wednesday, according to information shared by the National Centre for Seismology (NCS).

The tremor was recorded at a depth of 150 km, north-east of Kabul.

In a post on X, the NCS stated, "EQ of M: 4.3, On: 10/12/2025 00:30:01 IST, Lat: 36.39 N, Long: 70.88 E, Depth: 150 Km, Location: Afghanistan."

This latest quake follows another magnitude 3.8 earthquake reported by the NCS a day earlier, indicating continued seismic activity in the region.

A quake was recorded on December 9, 2025 when a magnitude 4.5 earthquake struck at a shallow depth of 10 km at 1.17pm.

Another one was recorded at a depth of 70 km on December 9, 2025 at 2.36pm, a level that typically increases the likelihood of aftershocks.

Shallow quakes such as this tend to be more dangerous because seismic waves reach the surface quickly, causing stronger shaking and a higher potential for damage and casualties.

Afghanistan frequently experiences earthquakes, especially in the Hindu Kush region, which is known for high seismic activity, according to the Red Cross.

On November 4, a powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan, killing at least 27 people and injuring 956 more, according to Sharafat Zaman Amar.

CNN reported that the tremor also damaged one of the country's most iconic mosques. Families were jolted awake as the quake hit near Mazar-i-Sharif at a shallow depth of 28 km, the United States Geological Survey said.

Afghanistan's location atop several active fault lines, formed along the collision zone between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, makes it highly prone to frequent seismic disturbances.

A major fault line also runs directly through Herat.

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.