Kabul: Afghanistan was struck by a 6.3-magnitude earthquake early Thursday, initially reporting 10 deaths and 260 injuries, though the actual toll is anticipated to rise following a series of quakes in August that resulted in over 2,200 fatalities.
According to Thai News Agency, Afghanistan's geographical positioning on the edge of the Eurasian Plate, along with its proximity to the Indian and Arabian Plates, makes it one of the most tectonically active regions globally. This tectonic activity, particularly the movement of the Indian Plate northward against the Eurasian Plate, contributes to the frequent earthquakes the country experiences.
Afghanistan's terrain, characterized by its mountainous nature, makes it susceptible to various natural disasters, with earthquakes being the most lethal. On average, these seismic events result in 560 deaths annually and approximately $80 million in damages. Since 1990, following the Soviet Union's withdrawal in 1989, Afghanistan has recorded at least 355 earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or greater.
The eastern and northeastern regions of Afghanistan, especially near the borders with Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Pakistan, are most vulnerable to earthquakes. Kabul, the capital with a population of around 3 million, experiences the highest average earthquake damage, costing an estimated $17 million annually.
Historically, Afghanistan has endured around 100 significant earthquakes since 1990. Notable events include a magnitude 6.1 quake in June 2012, claiming over 1,000 lives, and two quakes of magnitudes 5.9 and 6.6 in 1998, resulting in 2,300 and 4,700 deaths, respectively.
To mitigate the impact of future earthquakes, several studies suggest constructing earthquake-resistant buildings and reinforcing existing structures. Additionally, implementing early warning and surveillance systems, along with geo-informatics and remote sensing technology, can help create fault maps and facilitate the evacuation of at-risk populations.