How often does Afghanistan have earthquakes?

Afghanistan recorded 4 earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or greater in the past 90 days. Over the last 5 years it has averaged about 12.4 notable quakes (magnitude 5.0 or greater) per year.

What was the largest recent earthquake in Afghanistan?

The largest earthquake in Afghanistan in the last 5 years was a magnitude 6.5 near 40 km SSE of Jurm, Afghanistan.

When was the last major earthquake in Afghanistan?

The most recent earthquake of magnitude 5.0 or greater in Afghanistan was a magnitude 5.2 near 52 km SSW of Jurm, Afghanistan.

What magnitude earthquake can you feel?

Most people begin to feel earthquakes around magnitude 3.0, though it depends on depth and distance. Shallow quakes close by feel stronger than deep or distant ones of the same size.

AUTHORITATIVE DATA SNAPSHOTUpdated Sep 12, 2026, 9:12 PM UTC

EARTHQUAKES · AFGHANISTAN

Afghanistan Earthquakes

Recent and significant earthquakes in Afghanistan, drawn from the USGS global earthquake feed and mapped with magnitude and time.

CURRENT STATUSNo active earthquake alerts

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ANSWER FIRST

Current earthquakes in Afghanistan (0)

Afghanistan has recorded 4 earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or greater in the past 90 days.

No active items in this snapshot

That is normal. Conditions can change, so check official local guidance when weather is developing.

No active items in this snapshot

That is normal. Conditions can change, so check official local guidance when weather is developing.

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HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Recent earthquake history

Afghanistan has recorded 4 earthquakes of magnitude 5 or greater in the past 90 days.

Largest in 5 yearsM6.540 km SSE of Jurm, Afghanistan · Mar 21, 2023

Most recent M5.0+M5.252 km SSW of Jurm, Afghanistan · Aug 18, 2026

Notable quakes (M5+) per year12.4average over 5 years

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Notable earthquakes (magnitude 5.0+) per year in Afghanistan

Notable earthquakes in Afghanistan (last 5 years)

Magnitude	Location	Date
M6.5	40 km SSE of Jurm, Afghanistan	Mar 21, 2023
M6.4	45 km SSW of Jurm, Afghanistan	Jan 11, 2024
M6.3	34 km NNW of Herāt, Afghanistan	Oct 15, 2023
M6.3	24 km NNW of Herāt, Afghanistan	Oct 11, 2023
M6.3	25 km NNE of Zindah Jān, Afghanistan	Oct 7, 2023
M6.3	32 km NNE of Zindah Jān, Afghanistan	Oct 7, 2023

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COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently asked questions

How often does Afghanistan have earthquakes?: Afghanistan recorded 4 earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or greater in the past 90 days. Over the last 5 years it has averaged about 12.4 notable quakes (magnitude 5.0 or greater) per year.
What was the largest recent earthquake in Afghanistan?: The largest earthquake in Afghanistan in the last 5 years was a magnitude 6.5 near 40 km SSE of Jurm, Afghanistan.
When was the last major earthquake in Afghanistan?: The most recent earthquake of magnitude 5.0 or greater in Afghanistan was a magnitude 5.2 near 52 km SSW of Jurm, Afghanistan.
What magnitude earthquake can you feel?: Most people begin to feel earthquakes around magnitude 3.0, though it depends on depth and distance. Shallow quakes close by feel stronger than deep or distant ones of the same size.

CONTEXT

About earthquakes in Afghanistan

Most earthquakes are too small to feel. The USGS reports millions of quakes a year worldwide, and the vast majority are below magnitude 2.5. A page showing no recent activity usually means no notable quakes, not that nothing is being measured.

Magnitude is a measure of the energy released at the source; shaking you actually feel also depends on depth and how far you are from the epicenter. A shallow magnitude 4 nearby can feel stronger than a deep magnitude 5 far away.

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