Kabul, Afghanistan — A devastating 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck Northern Afghanistan early Monday morning, shaking cities and rural areas alike and leaving widespread destruction in its wake. According to initial media reports and official assessments, at least seven people have been confirmed dead and more than 100 others injured, though officials fear the toll may rise as rescue operations continue in the affected regions.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the epicenter of the Northern Afghanistan earthquake was located near Mazar-i-Sharif, a densely populated city home to over 523,000 residents, situated approximately 28 kilometers (17.4 miles) beneath the surface. The tremor triggered panic among locals as buildings swayed violently, forcing people to flee their homes in the early hours.
The USGS Pager System, which provides automated estimates of the potential impact of major earthquakes, issued an “Orange Alert” — indicating a significant likelihood of casualties and economic damage. The warning suggested that the event could have widespread humanitarian and infrastructural consequences, given the region’s fragile housing and limited emergency response infrastructure.
Rescue Efforts Underway as Buildings Collapse Across Northern Provinces
Emergency response teams, local authorities, and volunteers have launched large-scale rescue operations to locate survivors trapped under collapsed structures. Social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), have been flooded with distressing visuals — videos showing crumbled buildings, clouds of dust, and frantic rescue workers digging through the debris using bare hands and limited equipment.
Reports from Balkh province — one of the worst-hit areas — describe scenes of chaos as hospitals fill with the injured and families desperately search for missing relatives. Many survivors have been left homeless, spending the night outdoors amid fears of aftershocks.
“We heard a deep rumble, and within seconds, our walls started cracking,” said Ahmad Khan, a local resident in Mazar-i-Sharif. “I grabbed my children and ran outside. Everything was shaking — it felt like the ground was alive.”
Humanitarian groups have begun coordinating relief efforts, with urgent needs including medical supplies, tents, blankets, and clean drinking water. However, limited accessibility in rural mountain regions is complicating aid distribution.
Historical Seismic Context: A Nation Prone to Destructive Quakes
This Northern Afghanistan earthquake is a grim reminder of the country’s vulnerability to seismic disasters. Afghanistan sits atop the collision zone of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates, with the Arabian plate exerting additional pressure from the south. This unique geological positioning makes it one of the most earthquake-prone regions in the world.
Just weeks ago, on August 31, 2025, another powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, killing more than 2,200 people. That disaster was considered the deadliest earthquake in recent Afghan history, flattening entire villages and displacing thousands.
Similarly, in October 2023, the Herat province, near the Iranian border, experienced a catastrophic quake that claimed over 1,500 lives and destroyed more than 63,000 homes. In many cases, weak construction practices and the lack of seismic-resistant infrastructure have amplified the damage.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, Afghanistan has endured multiple devastating earthquakes. International sanctions and the nation’s economic isolation have made recovery and rebuilding efforts particularly challenging, leaving millions vulnerable to recurring natural disasters.
Geological Details: Shallow Depth Increases the Impact
According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), the Northern Afghanistan earthquake on Monday originated at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, making its impact more intense on the surface. The coordinates were recorded at 34.48° N latitude and 70.71° E longitude, placing the tremor close to areas already struggling with post-conflict reconstruction and poverty.
Experts explain that shallow earthquakes release energy closer to the ground, causing stronger surface shaking and more widespread destruction compared to deeper tremors. In regions like Afghanistan, where homes are often built with unreinforced mud bricks, such quakes can be particularly lethal.
“The shallow depth and the proximity to densely populated areas like Mazar-i-Sharif make this event especially dangerous,” said Dr. Elena Richter, a seismologist with the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). “Given Afghanistan’s seismic history, such events are not unusual — but the human cost remains tragically high.”
International Response and Humanitarian Concerns
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said it is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with local partners to assess immediate needs. Aid agencies fear that the coming winter could worsen the crisis, with thousands potentially displaced.
“The Northern Afghanistan earthquake adds yet another layer of suffering for communities already battling economic hardship, food insecurity, and displacement,” said a UN spokesperson. “Urgent assistance is needed to ensure that survivors receive shelter, food, and medical care.”
Neighboring countries, including Pakistan, Iran, and China, have expressed condolences and offered potential aid. However, logistical challenges and political constraints often delay foreign assistance from reaching Afghanistan’s interior regions.
USGS “Orange Alert”: What It Means
The USGS Pager System — an advanced automatic tool that estimates earthquake impacts — issued an Orange-level warning shortly after the quake. According to the USGS classification, an Orange Alert indicates a moderate to high likelihood of casualties and significant economic losses ranging between tens and hundreds of millions of dollars.
In simple terms, this means that the Northern Afghanistan earthquake is likely to have serious humanitarian implications, though not necessarily catastrophic at a national level. The USGS also cautioned that aftershocks could continue for several days, potentially causing further damage to weakened structures.
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Recurring Earthquakes Highlight the Urgent Need for Preparedness
Afghanistan’s recent seismic record shows a worrying trend: frequent, powerful earthquakes striking regions already on the edge of crisis. Experts have long urged the Afghan government and international partners to invest in earthquake-resistant housing, early-warning systems, and public awareness campaigns.
However, such initiatives remain underfunded. Many communities rely on traditional construction materials like clay and wood, which provide little resistance against seismic forces. The lack of modern emergency management infrastructure exacerbates the devastation each time disaster strikes.
“Preparedness saves lives,” said Dr. Omar Qasemi, a Kabul-based disaster management expert. “Unfortunately, Afghanistan’s geography and current political situation make it one of the hardest places to implement long-term resilience programs.”
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A Nation on Edge: Fear of More Aftershocks
Residents across Northern Afghanistan remain on high alert. Tremors continue to rattle the region, with smaller aftershocks reported throughout the day. Many families have chosen to sleep outdoors, fearing the collapse of already damaged homes.
Local mosques and schools have been converted into temporary shelters, and community groups are distributing emergency rations. However, access to remote villages remains limited, raising concerns that the true scale of destruction may only become clear in the coming days.
Conclusion: The Human Cost of Living on Shifting Ground
The Northern Afghanistan earthquake once again underscores how fragile life is in this mountainous nation, where poverty, conflict, and natural disasters converge in a tragic cycle. For millions of Afghans, recovery from one calamity often begins just as another strikes.
As rescue operations continue and the death toll likely rises, the world is reminded of Afghanistan’s ongoing struggle — not only against the forces of nature but also against decades of instability that have weakened its ability to respond to such emergencies.
For now, the people of Northern Afghanistan can only hope for calm after the chaos — and for the world to not forget them in their hour of need.
