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earthquake vulnerability of Afghanistan
Afghanistan is one of the most seismically unstable countries in Asia due to its geographical positioning at the intersection of multiple tectonic plates. This makes earthquakes both frequent and deadly, with impacts worsened by poor infrastructure and rugged terrain.
1. Why Are Earthquakes Frequent in Afghanistan?
Afghanistan lies at the collision zone of the Eurasian and Indian plates, while also being influenced by the Arabian plate. This triple interaction creates immense tectonic stress, causing frequent tremors. The Indian plate pushes northwards into the Eurasian plate at a rate of about 40–50 mm per year, releasing enormous pressure through earthquakes.
The Hindu Kush mountains, formed by this collision, are among the most earthquake-prone areas in the world. Afghanistan’s position in this transpression zone makes it vulnerable to both shallow and deep-focus quakes.
Deep-focus earthquakes in the Hindu Kush, often originating 200 km below the surface, are particularly destructive as they affect wide areas including Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Central Asia.
2. Which Areas Are Most Affected?
- Eastern and northeastern provinces such as Kunar, Badakhshan, Nuristan, and Nangarhar face the highest risks.
- Mountainous regions are more exposed due to landslides triggered by seismic shocks.
3. How Serious Is the Impact?
- On average, 560 people die each year from earthquakes in Afghanistan.
- Since 1990, more than 355 quakes above magnitude 5.0 have struck the country.
Major disasters:
- 1998: Twin quakes killed over 4,000.
- 2015: Magnitude 7.5 quake killed 399 in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.
- 2022: Magnitude 6 quake killed 1,000 in eastern Afghanistan.
- 2023: Multiple quakes killed over 1,000 and flattened entire villages.
4. Why Is Damage So High?
- Traditional mud-brick homes collapse easily under tremors.
- High population density in seismic zones increases risks.
- Weak disaster response systems delay rescue and relief efforts.
5. What Can Reduce Risks?
- Enforce earthquake-resistant building codes.
- Retrofit old houses and public infrastructure.
- Use geospatial mapping of fault lines to plan safer settlements.
- Strengthen early warning systems with satellite and remote sensing technologies.
Synopsis
Afghanistan’s location at the meeting point of the Eurasian, Indian, and Arabian plates explains its frequent earthquakes. With weak housing and limited preparedness, even moderate tremors cause massive destruction. Investing in resilient infrastructure, enforcing safety codes, and strengthening monitoring systems can save thousands of lives.