AFGHANISTAN EARTHQUAKE

Why in the News?

  • A powerful earthquake struck western Afghanistan.
Source: BBC

About

  • Earthquake Details: A 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck near Jurm village in northeastern Afghanistan, with a depth of 206 kilometers.
  • Impact on Pakistan and India: Tremors were felt in parts of Pakistan and India, including major cities like Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Muzaffarabad, Delhi, and the National Capital Region.
  • Public Reaction: The earthquake caused panic, with people seeking safety under buildings, and residents fleeing from homes and offices in affected areas.
  • No Immediate Damage or Injuries: Despite its magnitude, there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries in the affected regions, a notable outcome considering the intensity of the tremors.
  • Geological Context: Afghanistan, located near the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plate junction in the Hindu Kush mountain range, is prone to earthquakes, making it a seismically active region.

Earthquake

  • Earthquakes result from the movement of tectonic plates along fault lines caused by tectonic forces and stress in the earth’s lithosphere.
  • Sudden slipping of these plates releases energy, generating seismic waves that travel through the ground.
  • The starting point of an earthquake within the earth is known as the focus or hypocentre.
  • The corresponding point on the earth’s surface directly above the focus is called the epicentre.
  • Earth’s tectonic plates are in constant motion due to internal heat energy, with plate boundaries being the primary locations for earthquakes.