Afghanistan once again came under seismic strain when a magnitude 6.3 quake rattled areas near the northern city of Mazar-e Sharif, killing at least seven people and injuring roughly 150. This latest disaster underscores the country’s recurring vulnerability to strong tremors and raises urgent questions about why this rugged, war-torn nation sits at the mercy of shifting tectonic plates.
Earthquakes in Afghanistan aren’t rare — they’re alarmingly frequent and often deadly. Studies show that since 1990, at least 355 earthquakes of magnitude greater than 5.0 have struck the country. With an average annual death toll of about 560 and damages estimated at around US$80 million, the human and economic cost is steep.
The root of this seismic instability lies deep beneath the Earth’s surface. Afghanistan is positioned on the edge of the Eurasian tectonic plate, which interacts directly with the northward-moving Indian plate. The Arabian plate to the south also exerts its influence, creating one of the world’s most tectonically active zones. This collision and movement of massive lithospheric plates generate the frequent quakes that shake the nation.
Regionally, certain zones are particularly vulnerable. Eastern and northeastern Afghanistan — especially areas bordering Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Pakistan — bear the brunt of seismic activity. The capital Kabul also sees high risk: researchers estimate the city faces average damages of about US$17 million every year from earthquakes. In mountainous terrain, quakes often trigger deadly landslides, amplifying both destruction and loss of life.
Looking back through history, Afghanistan has been scarred by major earthquakes. Around 100 “damaging” events have been recorded since 1900. A 7.5 magnitude quake in 2015 killed nearly 400 people across Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. In 1998, two devastating quakes within three months claimed about 2,300 and 4,700 lives respectively. More recently, a 2022 quake killed around 1,000 people.
Experts underscore that while the geological forces driving the quakes cannot be stopped, the impact can be mitigated. Recommended measures include building new infrastructure to be earthquake-resistant, retrofitting existing structures to reduce collapses, enhancing monitoring and early-warning systems, and mapping fault lines through remote sensing and geospatial technologies to identify vulnerable zones and plan relocations.
In a country already grappling with decades of conflict, economic fragility and humanitarian crises, the recurring threat of seismic disasters adds yet another layer of risk. For Afghanistan to turn the tide, concerted efforts in construction standards, urban planning and disaster preparedness will be critical — even as the plates beneath continue their slow, inexorable shift.
