Earthquake of magnitude 5.7 strikes Afghanistan
Feb 20, 2026
Kabul [Afghanistan], February 20 : An earthquake of magnitude 5.7 struck Afghanistan on Friday, according to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS) said.
The earthquake occurred at a depth of 70km.
In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 5.7, On: 20/02/2026 18:39:54 IST, Lat: 35.52 N, Long: 69.98 E, Depth: 70 Km, Location: Afghanistan."
https://x.com/NCS_Earthquake/status/2024837547109847438?s=20
Earlier, on February 15, an earthquake of magnitude 4.3 struck Afghanistan at a depth of 110km.
In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 4.3, On: 15/02/2026 04:28:14 IST, Lat: 36.55 N, Long: 70.68 E, Depth: 110 Km, Location: Afghanistan."
https://x.com/NCS_Earthquake/status/2022811238384964039?s=20
On February 13, another earthquake of magnitude 4.6 occurred in Afghanistan occurred at a depth of 135km.
In a post on X, the NCS said, "EQ of M: 4.6, On: 13/02/2026 03:42:38 IST, Lat: 36.55 N, Long: 67.82 E, Depth: 135 Km, Location: Afghanistan."
Afghanistan frequently experiences earthquakes, particularly in the Hindu Kush region, which lies in a highly active seismic zone, according to the Red Cross.
Afghanistan's vulnerability to earthquakes is linked to its location along the collision zone between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. A major fault line also passes through parts of the country, including the Herat region.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) notes that Afghanistan remains extremely vulnerable to natural disasters, including earthquakes, landslides and seasonal flooding. Repeated tremors worsen the situation for communities already struggling with decades of conflict and limited development, leaving them with minimal resilience to withstand multiple shocks.
