Afghanistan: Understanding the causes of recurrent Earthquakes

Monday 03 November 2025 - 09:30

By: Sahili Aya

Afghanistan: Understanding the causes of recurrent Earthquakes

Afghanistan, a landlocked country in the heart of Asia, is regularly struck by devastating earthquakes. Each time the ground shakes, the same question arises: why is this territory so prone to such disasters? The answer lies beneath the surface — in the immense geological forces at work deep within the Earth.

Afghanistan sits at the crossroads of several major tectonic plates, including the Indian plate, the Eurasian plate, and, to a lesser extent, the Iranian microplate. For over 50 million years, the Indian plate has been pushing northward, colliding with the Eurasian plate. This enormous pressure has created the Himalayas and the Pamir Plateau, but it has also produced a dense network of active faults that crisscross the northern and eastern regions of the country.

These faults — especially those in Badakhshan, Kunduz, Nangarhar, and Paktika — regularly release massive amounts of energy, resulting in frequent seismic events. Unlike in countries where seismic zones are well mapped, Afghanistan’s fault lines are numerous, complex, and difficult to monitor due to the rugged terrain and the lack of scientific infrastructure.

While geology explains the frequency of earthquakes, human factors amplify their impact. Much of the Afghan population lives in houses made of mudbrick or stone, built without reinforcement and highly vulnerable to tremors. In remote villages, even minor vibrations can cause entire homes to collapse, trapping families beneath the rubble. Rescue teams, for their part, face blocked roads, limited equipment, and harsh weather conditions.

Adding to this is a key issue: political and economic instability. Decades of war and crisis have prevented the adoption of earthquake-resistant building codes, early warning systems, or public education programs on disaster preparedness. Unlike Japan or Turkey — countries that have invested in structural resilience — Afghanistan remains extremely vulnerable.

Experts argue that priorities must now be twofold: first, to promote the construction of more resilient infrastructure and train local builders in affordable yet robust techniques; second, to strengthen community-based prevention strategies such as rapid evacuation, hazard awareness, and family preparedness.

But these measures require funding — and in a nation where humanitarian emergencies dominate daily life, earthquake prevention often takes a back seat.

As the slow but relentless collision of tectonic plates continues, Afghanistan will remain exposed to seismic risk. The real challenge is ensuring that earthquakes no longer automatically lead to human tragedy.