Afghanistan experienced another seismic event as a magnitude 4.6 earthquake struck the country in the early hours of Thursday, according to the National Center for Seismology (NCS). This marks the third significant tremor to hit the region within November 2025 alone.
Recent Earthquake Details and Timing
The National Center for Seismology reported through social media platform X that the latest earthquake occurred at 02:20 AM IST on November 13, 2025. The seismic monitoring agency provided precise coordinates, indicating the epicenter was located at latitude 36.43 North and longitude 71.20 East, with the quake originating at a depth of 140 kilometers beneath Afghanistan's surface.
This recent tremor follows another earthquake of magnitude 4.4 that struck Afghanistan on November 8, 2025, at 03:14 AM IST. That earlier quake was centered at latitude 30.70 North and longitude 65.66 East, occurring at a greater depth of 180 kilometers.
Deadlier Earthquake Earlier This Month
The most devastating seismic event this month occurred on November 4, 2025, when a powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquake rattled northern Afghanistan near Mazar-i-Sharif, one of the country's most populated northern cities.
According to Sharafat Zaman Amar, spokesperson for the Taliban's Ministry of Public Health, this stronger quake resulted in significant casualties, killing at least 27 people and injuring 956 more. The United States Geological Survey noted this tremor struck at a shallow depth of just 28 kilometers (17.4 miles), which amplified its destructive potential.
The November 4 earthquake also caused damage to infrastructure, including one of Afghanistan's most beautiful mosques, as reported by CNN. Families were jolted awake in the early morning hours when the powerful tremor struck.
Why Afghanistan Experiences Frequent Earthquakes
Afghanistan's geographical location makes it particularly vulnerable to seismic activity. The country sits on numerous fault lines between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, with one major fault line running directly through Herat. This positioning along several active fault lines in the collision zone between these massive tectonic plates creates frequent seismic events.
The Hindu Kush Mountain range, which spans Afghanistan and neighboring regions, is recognized as a geologically active area where earthquakes occur regularly every year. According to the Red Cross, Afghanistan has a long history of powerful earthquakes due to this tectonic activity.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) has noted that Afghanistan remains highly vulnerable to natural disasters, including not only earthquakes but also seasonal flooding and landslides. These frequent natural disasters particularly impact vulnerable communities that are already struggling with decades of conflict and underdevelopment, leaving them with limited resilience to cope with multiple simultaneous shocks.
