Context:

A 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit near Mazar-e-Sharif, northern Afghanistan killing at least 10 people and injuring over 260. This comes only months after a devastating quake in August 2025 that claimed more than 2,200 lives.

Reason behind Frequent Earthquakes in Afghanistan:

Afghanistan has lots of earthquakes because it sits where three big pieces of the Earth’s crust—the Indian, Eurasian, and Arabian plates—push against each other.

·        This pushing causes pressure and cracks in the ground called fault lines (like the Chaman Fault). These faults creates energy and shake the earth crust, causing an earthquake.

·        The country is also in a mountain belt (the Alpide Belt), which is second most earthquake-prone areas in the world.

About Earthquakes

• • An earthquake is the sudden shaking or vibration of the Earth’s surface caused by the release of energy from within the Earth’s crust.
  • Earthquakes occur due to the movement of tectonic plates. When stress builds up along fault lines (fractures in the Earth’s crust) and is suddenly released, it generates seismic waves that cause the ground to shake.

Focus and Epicenter:

• • The focus (or hypocenter) is the point inside the Earth where the earthquake originates.
  • The epicenter is the point directly above the focus on the Earth’s surface, where the shaking is usually strongest.

Mitigation Measures for Afghanisatn:

• • Infrastructure Resilience:
    • Promote earthquake-resistant construction and retrofitting of old structures.
    • Update building codes and enforce compliance in urban and rural areas.
  • Early Warning and Monitoring:
    • Enhance seismic monitoring networks and use remote sensing for detailed fault mapping.
    • Develop early warning systems and community-based disaster education programs.
  • Institutional Preparedness:
    • Strengthen disaster management institutions and ensure regional coordination for rapid response.

Conclusion

Afghanistan’s high seismic vulnerability stems from its complex tectonic setting. While earthquakes cannot be prevented, investing in resilient infrastructure, early warning systems, and community preparedness can significantly reduce their devastating impact.