Kabul, Dec 4: An earthquake measuring 4.1 in magnitude struck Afghanistan in the early hours of Thursday, according to the National Center for Seismology. The tremor occurred at a depth of 140 kilometers, with the exact coordinates reported as 36.54°N latitude and 71.66°E longitude. The earthquake, which hit at 03:05:19 IST on December 4, 2025, is the latest in a series of seismic events affecting the region.
Earlier this week, Afghanistan was also rocked by a 4.4-magnitude earthquake on Monday. The country, situated along the collision zone of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, has long been prone to seismic activity, particularly in the Hindu Kush Mountain range, a geologically active area.
Afghanistan’s vulnerability to earthquakes was starkly highlighted on November 4, when a powerful 6.3-magnitude quake near Mazar-i-Sharif resulted in at least 27 deaths and left 956 people injured. The tremor also damaged cultural landmarks, including one of the country's most famous mosques.
Afghanistan’s frequent seismic activity is linked to its location on multiple fault lines, where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet and collide. The country remains highly vulnerable to natural disasters, including earthquakes, seasonal flooding, and landslides, which disproportionately affect communities already struggling with the effects of prolonged conflict and underdevelopment.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), these recurrent disasters exacerbate the challenges faced by vulnerable populations, leaving them with limited capacity to recover from such shocks. The humanitarian impact continues to be severe, with communities already stretched thin due to ongoing crises.
As the country remains seismically active, authorities are monitoring the situation closely and providing aid to affected areas.
