A powerful earthquake measuring magnitude 6.4 struck northern Afghanistan on Monday, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center, with tremors felt across the region. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported a slightly lower magnitude of 6.3, locating the epicenter near Mazar-i-Sharif, a key urban hub in Balkh Province.
The quake, which occurred at a shallow depth of 20 kilometers, prompted the USGS to issue an orange-level PAGER alert, signaling a high likelihood of significant casualties and widespread damage. The automated PAGER system, used to assess earthquake impacts, highlighted vulnerabilities in the region due to its densely populated areas and infrastructure limitations.
Mazar-i-Sharif, home to over 500,000 residents, is a critical economic and cultural center in northern Afghanistan. Local authorities have yet to release official casualty figures, but emergency response teams are mobilizing amid concerns about collapsed buildings and landslides in rural areas.
This seismic event follows a series of earthquakes in Afghanistan over the past two years, underscoring the region’s exposure to natural disasters. Humanitarian organizations are preparing for potential relief operations as winter conditions threaten to complicate rescue efforts.
