Why Is Afghanistan Vulnerable to Earthquakes? Over 300 Quakes in Three Decades

Kokcha News Agency – Afghanistan, a country surrounded by rugged mountains, is prone to various natural disasters, but earthquakes have been the most devastating. According to data, at least 355 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5 or higher have struck Afghanistan since 1990, resulting in hundreds of deaths and millions of dollars in damages each year.

Why is Afghanistan prone to earthquakes?
Afghanistan’s vulnerability to earthquakes is largely due to its geographical location at the intersection of two major tectonic plates: the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate. The Indian Plate is pushing northward into the Eurasian Plate, creating immense pressure that leads to frequent seismic activity, particularly in the Hindu Kush region. Additionally, the Arabian Plate to the south further contributes to the tectonic stress, making Afghanistan one of the most seismically active regions in the world.

Which areas are most at risk?
Eastern and northeastern Afghanistan, especially areas along the borders with Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Pakistan, are particularly vulnerable to earthquakes. This includes the densely populated capital, Kabul, which, according to one study, faces the highest estimated annual earthquake-related damages of $17 million. Earthquakes in Afghanistan’s mountainous regions are especially dangerous as they can trigger landslides, exacerbating casualties and destruction.

What are the deadliest earthquakes in Afghanistan’s history?
Since 1900, Afghanistan has experienced over 355 major earthquakes, including 100 “devastating” ones. Among the most recent and deadly was a magnitude 6 earthquake in 2022 that killed 1,000 people. In 2023, a series of earthquakes in Herat province within a single month claimed another 1,000 lives and completely destroyed several villages.

One of the largest earthquakes in Afghanistan’s history, with a magnitude of 7.5, occurred in 2015, killing 399 people across Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. The most devastating period was in 1998 when two earthquakes within three months killed 2,300 and 4,700 people, respectively.

How can Afghanistan build resilience against earthquakes?
Experts recommend constructing new buildings using earthquake-resistant techniques and retrofitting existing structures to reduce the risk of collapse. Additionally, better monitoring and early warning systems should be implemented to provide timely alerts. Furthermore, fault lines should be mapped using remote sensing technologies to facilitate the relocation of populations from high-risk areas.