Afghanistan Earthquake
Afghanistan’s Tectonic Setting and Seismicity
Tectonic Setting
Afghanistan lies at the collision zone of the Indian Plate and Eurasian Plate, making it highly seismically active.
Fault lines: Chaman Fault, Herat Fault/Hari rud fault, and other active thrust faults.
Type: Shallow-focus earthquake (8 km depth) → more destructive as seismic energy travels a shorter distance to the surface.
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Afghanistan sits at the triple interaction zone of the Indian, Eurasian, and Arabian plates.
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The Indian Plate moves northwards at ~5 cm/year, colliding with the Eurasian Plate, while the Arabian Plate also pushes northwards.
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This convergence generates immense compressional stress.
2. Crustal Deformation and Mountain Building
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Continuous collision leads to faulting, folding, and uplift.
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The Hindu Kush, Pamir Knot, and Central Afghan ranges are western extensions of the Himalayan orogeny.
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The Kabul Block and other micro-blocks act as tectonic fragments squeezed between colliding plates.
3. Seismic Characteristics
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Shallow-focus earthquakes: Linked to strike-slip and thrust faults across Afghanistan (high destruction potential).
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Intermediate- to deep-focus earthquakes: Particularly in the Hindu Kush, where lithosphere is underthrust and breaks at depth (~200 km).
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One of the few global zones with such deep seismicity outside subduction trenches.
4. Seismic Hazard Profile
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Frequent moderate-to-major quakes (M5–7.5).
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Examples: 1998 Takhar (M6.1, ~4,000 deaths); 2002 Hindu Kush; 2022 Paktika (M5.9, >1,000 deaths); 2023 Herat series.
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Vulnerability amplified by:
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High population density in mountainous valleys.
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Weak housing structures (mud-brick, non-engineered).
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Limited disaster preparedness.
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5. Broader Geographic Implications
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Afghanistan is part of the Alpide seismic belt (extending from the Mediterranean to Southeast Asia).
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The seismicity links it directly to processes shaping the Himalayas, Zagros, and Central Asian ranges.
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Earthquakes also trigger landslides, avalanches, and river blockages, compounding risks.
