AN earthquake measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale struck Afghanistan on Monday morning, according to the National Centre of Seismology (NCS). The quake occurred at a depth of 140 kilometres at 08:54 IST, the NCS said in a post on X.
“EQ of M: 4.2, on: 19/05/2025 08:54:18 IST, Lat: 36.41 N, Long: 70.94 E, Depth: 140 Km, Location: Afghanistan,” the NCS stated.
The latest tremor marks the fourth consecutive day of seismic activity in Afghanistan, a region known for its geological volatility. On Sunday, the NCS reported a 4.5-magnitude quake at a depth of 150 kilometres, while on May 17, an earthquake of the same magnitude struck at a depth of 120 kilometres.
A day earlier, on May 16, a 4.0-magnitude tremor was recorded at a similar depth.
Afghanistan, a landlocked nation surrounded by the Hindu Kush mountain range, is highly susceptible to earthquakes due to its position on several active fault lines along the collision zone between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.
The country’s seismic activity is primarily driven by these tectonic movements, which frequently result in powerful quakes.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), Afghanistan remains particularly vulnerable to natural disasters, including earthquakes, landslides, and seasonal flooding.
The Red Cross has also noted that the country experiences numerous earthquakes annually due to its active geological landscape.
