A powerful earthquake of 6.3 magnitude occurred in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan. The USGS expected 100 to 1,000 deaths. Tremors were also felt in Tajikistan, Pakistan and India. Relief work continues, damage assessment still pending.
Afghanistan Earthquake, Mazar-E-Sharif Quake: Once again the ground shook violently in Afghanistan. On Monday morning, a powerful earthquake of 6.3 magnitude occurred in Mazar-e-Sharif, located in the northern part of the country. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenter of the earthquake was at a depth of about 28 kilometers from the ground. Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province, is one of the most densely populated cities in Afghanistan. After the strong tremors, panic spread among the people and many people ran out of their homes. According to initial reports, hundreds of casualties are feared.
USGS’s Orange Alert – Is there a possibility of widespread damage?
USGS has issued an “Orange Alert” after this earthquake. This means that there is a possibility of 100 to 1000 deaths and huge economic losses. According to the agency’s PAGER model, this earthquake can cause destruction in a large area. In the last few months, repeated earthquakes in Afghanistan have continuously shaken the country. More than 800 people died in an earthquake of 6.0 magnitude in August 2025, while more than 2000 people died in an earthquake of the same intensity in October 2023.
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In which countries were the tremors felt?
Earthquake tremors were also felt in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan and some areas of India. People shared videos and pictures of the tremors on social media, in which cracks in buildings and chaos of people could be seen. Afghanistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has said that relief and rescue teams have been immediately dispatched to Mazar-e-Sharif and surrounding areas. However, roads and communication services are disrupted in many areas, making rescue operations difficult.
Are tectonic plates the cause of frequent earthquakes?
Experts say that Afghanistan is located on the border of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, which constantly collide with each other. This is the reason why powerful earthquakes occur here again and again. This area is considered very active seismically and the tremors here are often felt even in neighboring countries.
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Lessons from past earthquakes – what is the preparation?
Relief and rehabilitation conditions after earthquakes in Afghanistan are often very poor. International agencies have warned that due to weak infrastructure and lack of resources, the country is not able to cope with recurring natural disasters. Local people say that the government needs to strengthen the disaster management system so that the loss of life and property from such accidents can be reduced in future.