Country profile · USGS ComCat
Earthquakes in Afghanistan
Afghanistan has catalogued 3,497 M4+ earthquakes since 2005 (ranked 20th of 187 countries), with the strongest reaching magnitude M7.8.
Afghanistan ranks 20th of 187 countries by catalogued seismic activity - a highly seismically active country, averaging about 167 M4+ events a year alongside 98 significant M6+ earthquakes since 1900. Its M6+ record runs from 1902 to 2026, peaking in 2023.
- 3,497
- M4+ events (since 2005)
- 98
- Major M6+ (since 1900)
- M7.8
- Strongest
- ~167
- M4+ per year
The verdict
Afghanistan is more seismically active than most places tracked here, with 3,497 M4+ earthquakes logged since 2005 and 98 major M6+ events since 1900, the strongest reaching magnitude 7.8.
- 2023
- busiest year (6 major events)
- 152 km
- average recorded event depth
- 23%
- of events are shallow (<70 km, the most damaging kind)
Average catalogued magnitude is 4.4 - most events are moderate M4-5 tremors that are felt but rarely cause damage. On the M4+ activity ladder Iran sits immediately above at 3,577 events and Timor Leste sits immediately below at 3,429.
USGS event tape strip
Event tape AFGHANISTAN · Afghanistan M4+ · 20th/187
Afghanistan · 3,497 M4+ · max M7.8 · 98 M6+
- BAND 3,497
- STRIP 20th/187
- BOOK M7.8
- RANK 98
- MAX near Iran
- M6 23% shallow
Stamps derive from this country's USGS ComCat row (M4+ book, rank, peak magnitude, M6+ record, ladder neighbour, depth/peak year), not a hazard forecast. PlainQuake is informational only - not professional advice and not a substitute for official USGS guidance. See our disclaimer. Verify with USGS ComCat → · Read with methodology → · How earthquakes are measured → · Reading earthquake data → · All country catalog rows → · Countries ranked →
Observed impact record
What ComCat observed after earthquakes in Afghanistan
USGS recorded Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) for 84 events in this catalogued record; their average observed intensity was MMI 5.0. These are only events with an observation, not an estimate of future shaking or a safety rating.
- MMI observations
- 84
- Average observed MMI
- 5.0
- PAGER alerts / tsunami flags
- 16 / 0
Source: USGS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat) GeoJSON impact fields. Missing MMI, alert, and tsunami values remain unreported rather than being treated as zero.
Where Afghanistan sits in the catalog
Rank 20th of 187 tracked countries (89th percentile by M4+ count since 2005). On the M4+ activity ladder Iran sits immediately above at 3,577 events and Timor Leste sits immediately below at 3,429.
- Iran - next more active (3,577 M4+)
- Timor Leste - next less active (3,429 M4+)
Afghanistan's M4+ count vs. every tracked country
Total catalogued M4+ events since 2005, USGS ComCat
3,497 Top 11% higher than 89% of 187 countries
Each bar is a 500-wide band; taller bars hold more countries. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source USGS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat) · 2005-present
Major (M6+) earthquakes in Afghanistan by year
Count of significant (magnitude 6.0+) events catalogued each year
- 2008 1
2008: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2009
2009: 3 major (M6+) events
3
- 2010 1
2010: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2015 2
2015: 2 major (M6+) events
2
- 2016 1
2016: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2018 1
2018: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2019 1
2019: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2022 1
2022: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2023
2023: 6 major (M6+) events
6
- 2024 1
2024: 1 major (M6+) events
1
- 2025 2
2025: 2 major (M6+) events
2
- 2026 1
2026: 1 major (M6+) events
1
What this shows Afghanistan's most active year for major earthquakes was 2023 (6 M6+ events). Major-quake counts are irregular, they track the episodic release of tectonic stress, not a smooth trend.
How Afghanistan earthquake activity changed recently
| Year | M4+ events | YoY change | Global YoY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | -50.0% | -43.9% |
| 2025 | 2 | +100.0% | +29.3% |
| 2024 | 1 | -83.3% | -12.6% |
| 2023 | 6 | +500.0% | +3.0% |
Afghanistan's M4+ activity fell more than the global average in 2026: -50.0% locally vs -43.9% globally.
Source: USGS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat). M4+ = magnitude 4.0 or greater. YoY = year-on-year change. Global column uses the worldwide total from the same catalog.
23 of 3,497 catalogued M4+ events since 2005 reached M6.0 or higher.
Magnitude distribution of major events
Breakdown of the 98 significant (M6+) earthquakes on record for Afghanistan.
M7.0-7.9
14
14.3%
M6.0-6.9
84
85.7%
Depth of major earthquakes
Hypocentral depth of the 98 M6+ events, shallow quakes shake the surface hardest. Average depth: 152 km.
Shallow (<70 km)
23
23.5% of events
Intermediate (70–300 km)
75
76.5% of events
Deep (>300 km)
0
0.0% of events
Strongest earthquakes in Afghanistan
The 10 most powerful events on record (USGS, since 1900).
| Mag | Location | Depth | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.8 | 71 km SSW of Jurm, Afghanistan | 240.0 km | Nov 15, 1921 |
| 7.7 | 52 km ESE of Farkhār, Afghanistan | 200.0 km | Jul 7, 1909 |
| 7.5 | Hindu Kush region, Afghanistan | 231.0 km | Oct 26, 2015 |
| 7.5 | 35 km SSW of Jurm, Afghanistan | 228.7 km | Mar 4, 1949 |
| 7.4 | 51 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan | 207.8 km | Mar 14, 1965 |
| 7.4 | 51 km SW of Jurm, Afghanistan | 225.6 km | Mar 3, 2002 |
| 7.4 | 75 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan | 98.7 km | Jul 29, 1985 |
| 7.4 | 55 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan | 214.5 km | Dec 30, 1983 |
| 7.4 | 50 km SSW of Ashkāsham, Afghanistan | 100.0 km | Jul 4, 1911 |
| 7.3 | 42 km NNW of B?my?n, Afghanistan | 25.0 km | Jun 9, 1956 |
Significant earthquake record (98 events)
Every catalogued magnitude-6.0-and-above earthquake in Afghanistan since 1900, most recent first.
| Mag | Location | Depth | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.1 | 47 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan | 199.0 km | Jun 27, 2026 |
| 6.2 | 30 km SE of Mazār-e Sharīf, Afghanistan | 28.0 km | Nov 2, 2025 |
| 6.0 | 35 km WSW of Asadābād, Afghanistan | 8.0 km | Aug 31, 2025 |
| 6.4 | 45 km SSW of Jurm, Afghanistan | 204.0 km | Jan 11, 2024 |
| 6.3 | 34 km NNW of Herāt, Afghanistan | 9.0 km | Oct 15, 2023 |
| 6.3 | 24 km NNW of Herāt, Afghanistan | 8.0 km | Oct 11, 2023 |
| 6.3 | 25 km NNE of Zindah Jān, Afghanistan | 8.0 km | Oct 7, 2023 |
| 6.3 | 32 km NNE of Zindah Jān, Afghanistan | 14.0 km | Oct 7, 2023 |
| 6.5 | 40 km SSE of Jurm, Afghanistan | 192.0 km | Mar 21, 2023 |
| 6.0 | 44 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan | 203.0 km | Jan 5, 2023 |
| 6.0 | 55 km SW of Kh?st, Afghanistan | 4.0 km | Jun 21, 2022 |
| 6.1 | 49 km SW of Jurm, Afghanistan | 212.0 km | Dec 20, 2019 |
| 6.2 | 37 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan | 193.7 km | Jan 31, 2018 |
| 6.6 | 42 km WSW of Ashk?sham, Afghanistan | 212.0 km | Apr 10, 2016 |
| 6.3 | 42 km WSW of Ashk?sham, Afghanistan | 206.0 km | Dec 25, 2015 |
| 7.5 | Hindu Kush region, Afghanistan | 231.0 km | Oct 26, 2015 |
| 6.3 | 47 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan | 220.1 km | Sep 17, 2010 |
| 6.2 | 53 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan | 210.0 km | Oct 29, 2009 |
| 6.2 | 39 km SSE of Jurm, Afghanistan | 185.9 km | Oct 22, 2009 |
| 6.6 | 50 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan | 204.8 km | Jan 3, 2009 |
| 6.0 | 35 km SSW of ?uk?mat? Azrah, Afghanistan | 10.0 km | Oct 5, 2008 |
| 6.2 | 47 km SSW of Jurm, Afghanistan | 222.1 km | Apr 3, 2007 |
| 6.5 | 53 km SW of Ashk?sham, Afghanistan | 224.6 km | Dec 12, 2005 |
| 6.0 | 46 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan | 207.0 km | Aug 10, 2004 |
| 6.1 | 16 km E of Nahr?n, Afghanistan | 8.0 km | Mar 25, 2002 |
| 7.4 | 51 km SW of Jurm, Afghanistan | 225.6 km | Mar 3, 2002 |
| 6.3 | 54 km ESE of Farkh?r, Afghanistan | 209.0 km | Mar 3, 2002 |
| 6.2 | 77 km NNW of P?r?n, Afghanistan | 129.3 km | Jan 3, 2002 |
| 6.1 | 32 km S of Ashk?sham, Afghanistan | 106.5 km | Nov 23, 2001 |
| 6.2 | 49 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan | 202.5 km | Feb 25, 2001 |
| 6.3 | 65 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan | 141.4 km | Jul 17, 2000 |
| 6.3 | 66 km NNW of P?r?n, Afghanistan | 107.7 km | May 12, 2000 |
| 6.0 | 51 km ESE of Farkh?r, Afghanistan | 206.9 km | Jan 19, 2000 |
| 6.5 | 31 km SW of Ashk?sham, Afghanistan | 228.4 km | Nov 8, 1999 |
| 6.0 | 27 km WNW of ?uk?mat? Azrah, Afghanistan | 33.0 km | Feb 11, 1999 |
| 6.6 | 24 km E of Rust?q, Afghanistan | 33.0 km | May 30, 1998 |
| 6.4 | 46 km WSW of Ashk?sham, Afghanistan | 235.6 km | Feb 20, 1998 |
| 6.3 | 53 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan | 207.0 km | Dec 17, 1997 |
| 6.5 | 51 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan | 196.0 km | May 13, 1997 |
| 6.3 | 49 km ESE of Farkh?r, Afghanistan | 222.7 km | Oct 18, 1995 |
| 6.0 | 57 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan | 238.7 km | Oct 25, 1994 |
| 6.3 | 29 km S of Ashk?sham, Afghanistan | 112.6 km | Sep 18, 1993 |
| 6.0 | 48 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan | 194.5 km | Sep 4, 1993 |
| 7.0 | 53 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan | 214.5 km | Aug 9, 1993 |
| 6.4 | 48 km SSW of Jurm, Afghanistan | 204.2 km | Aug 9, 1993 |
| 6.7 | 53 km SW of Ashk?sham, Afghanistan | 212.9 km | Jul 14, 1991 |
| 6.9 | 77 km NW of P?r?n, Afghanistan | 142.4 km | Jan 31, 1991 |
| 6.4 | 50 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan | 216.8 km | Jul 13, 1990 |
| 6.0 | 77 km SE of Farkh?r, Afghanistan | 113.1 km | May 15, 1990 |
| 6.3 | 56 km E of Khand?d, Afghanistan | 33.0 km | Mar 25, 1990 |
| 6.2 | 62 km E of Khand?d, Afghanistan | 12.2 km | Mar 5, 1990 |
| 6.3 | 42 km ENE of Jurm, Afghanistan | 109.9 km | Feb 5, 1990 |
| 6.0 | 74 km N of P?r?n, Afghanistan | 95.1 km | Jul 24, 1989 |
| 6.3 | 48 km SSE of Jurm, Afghanistan | 195.0 km | Aug 6, 1988 |
| 6.1 | 26 km SSW of Ashk?sham, Afghanistan | 95.4 km | Oct 3, 1987 |
| 6.1 | 81 km SE of ‘Al?qahd?r? D?sh?, Afghanistan | 164.5 km | Aug 10, 1987 |
| 6.2 | 45 km SSW of Jurm, Afghanistan | 202.1 km | May 5, 1987 |
| 6.4 | 76 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan | 120.1 km | Aug 2, 1985 |
| 7.4 | 75 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan | 98.7 km | Jul 29, 1985 |
| 6.4 | 48 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan | 207.6 km | Feb 16, 1984 |
| 6.1 | 21 km N of Jal?l?b?d, Afghanistan | 33.0 km | Feb 1, 1984 |
| 6.1 | 55 km SW of Ashk?sham, Afghanistan | 171.8 km | Jan 27, 1984 |
| 7.4 | 55 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan | 214.5 km | Dec 30, 1983 |
| 6.2 | 45 km WSW of Ashk?sham, Afghanistan | 208.8 km | Sep 12, 1983 |
| 6.6 | 14 km NW of Nahr?n, Afghanistan | 36.0 km | Dec 16, 1982 |
| 6.3 | 54 km SW of Ashk?sham, Afghanistan | 228.7 km | May 2, 1981 |
| 6.1 | 26 km ESE of Farkh?r, Afghanistan | 229.0 km | Aug 20, 1979 |
| 6.1 | 43 km SSE of Jurm, Afghanistan | 190.0 km | Nov 27, 1976 |
| 6.5 | 57 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan | 211.0 km | Jul 30, 1974 |
| 6.2 | 36 km SSW of Farkhār, Afghanistan | 23.5 km | Jun 24, 1972 |
| 6.2 | 51 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan | 212.6 km | Jan 20, 1972 |
| 6.2 | Hindu Kush region, Afghanistan | 205.6 km | Mar 5, 1969 |
| 6.6 | 40 km SW of Ashk?sham, Afghanistan | 215.6 km | Jun 6, 1966 |
| 7.4 | 51 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan | 207.8 km | Mar 14, 1965 |
| 6.6 | 43 km SSE of Jurm, Afghanistan | 195.5 km | Jan 28, 1964 |
| 6.3 | 31 km NNW of Nahr?n, Afghanistan | 35.0 km | Sep 12, 1962 |
| 6.7 | 51 km ESE of Farkh?r, Afghanistan | 216.2 km | Jul 6, 1962 |
| 6.1 | 43 km SW of Ashk?sham, Afghanistan | 211.8 km | Sep 2, 1957 |
| 6.5 | 19 km S of ?uk?mat? Azrah, Afghanistan | 10.0 km | Sep 16, 1956 |
| 7.3 | 42 km NNW of B?my?n, Afghanistan | 25.0 km | Jun 9, 1956 |
| 7.5 | 35 km SSW of Jurm, Afghanistan | 228.7 km | Mar 4, 1949 |
| 6.4 | 19 km WSW of A?bak, Afghanistan | 35.0 km | Jan 28, 1948 |
| 6.0 | 6 km NNW of Fayzabad, Afghanistan | 20.0 km | Jul 22, 1934 |
| 7.8 | 71 km SSW of Jurm, Afghanistan | 240.0 km | Nov 15, 1921 |
| 7.1 | 55 km ESE of Farkhār, Afghanistan | 200.0 km | Apr 21, 1917 |
| 6.3 | 76 km NE of Bāzārak, Afghanistan | 205.0 km | Apr 21, 1916 |
| 6.5 | 29 km E of Jurm, Afghanistan | 205.0 km | Nov 28, 1912 |
| 6.3 | 58 km SSW of Jurm, Afghanistan | 205.0 km | May 22, 1912 |
| 6.8 | 78 km NNW of Pārūn, Afghanistan | 205.0 km | Apr 25, 1912 |
| 7.4 | 50 km SSW of Ashkāsham, Afghanistan | 100.0 km | Jul 4, 1911 |
| 6.4 | 21 km WNW of Balkh, Afghanistan | 35.0 km | Jan 1, 1911 |
| 6.8 | 40 km SW of Qarchī Gak, Afghanistan | 35.0 km | Jan 1, 1911 |
| 7.7 | 52 km ESE of Farkhār, Afghanistan | 200.0 km | Jul 7, 1909 |
| 7.0 | 74 km NE of Bāzārak, Afghanistan | 220.0 km | Oct 24, 1908 |
| 6.6 | 29 km SE of Jurm, Afghanistan | 190.0 km | Apr 16, 1908 |
| 6.5 | 57 km NNW of Pārūn, Afghanistan | 190.0 km | Mar 12, 1908 |
| 6.8 | 42 km S of Jurm, Afghanistan | 225.0 km | Apr 13, 1907 |
| 7.2 | Hindu Kush region, Afghanistan | 200.0 km | Oct 6, 1902 |
Other countries in this catalog sample
A Afghanistan-keyed shuffle of the full 186-country roster, not the six nearest by count.
Peak-magnitude sample from the same roster
A second Afghanistan-keyed shuffle of countries with a recorded max magnitude.
Showing 6 of 186 countries with a recorded max magnitude.
According to the US Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program, PlainQuake's figures are rendered directly from 317,293 recorded M4+ earthquakes and 14,444 significant M6+ events (USGS ComCat, 2005-present) -- no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-08-26.