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Afghanistan Rattled by 4.0 Quake Early Monday
15 Dec
Summary
- A magnitude 4.0 earthquake struck Afghanistan on Monday morning.
- Recent seismic activity includes multiple tremors of varying depths.
- Afghanistan's location on tectonic plate boundaries fuels frequent quakes.
An earthquake measuring 4.0 on the Richter scale shook Afghanistan early on Monday, according to the National Centre for Seismology. The tremor was registered at 6:10 am local time, with its epicenter located approximately 22 kilometers deep. No immediate reports of damage or casualties were released.
This event is part of a recent pattern of seismic activity in the country. Over the past week, Afghanistan has experienced several earthquakes, including a 4.3 magnitude tremor on December 10 at a depth of 150 km, and two quakes on December 9, one at 70 km and another at a shallow 10 km depth. Shallow earthquakes are noted for their potential to cause more severe ground shaking.
Afghanistan's geological position, along the active seismic zone of the Hindu Kush and the collision boundary between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, makes it highly susceptible to earthquakes. These recurring natural disasters compound the difficulties faced by communities already grappling with decades of conflict and underdevelopment, diminishing their capacity to recover from multiple shocks.
