Deep M5.9 earthquake hits Hindu Kush, Afghanistan
A deep earthquake registered by the USGS as M5.9 hit the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan at 18:56 UTC (23:26 LT) on October 16, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 203 km (126 miles). EMSC is reporting M5.7 at a depth of 190 km (118 miles).
Image credit: TW/SAM, ESRI
The epicenter was located 40.2 km (25 miles) SSW of Jurm (population 12 106), 61.8 km (38.4 miles) S of Fayzabad (population 44 421), and 92.3 km (57.4 miles) SE of Rustāq, Takhar, Afghanistan.
14 490 000 people are estimated to have felt weak shaking.
The USGS issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though resistant structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are adobe block and log construction.
Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides and liquefaction that might have contributed to losses.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Selected cities exposed
Regional seismicity
References:
1 M5.9 earthquake in Afghanistan – USGS – October 16, 2024
2 M5.7 earthquake in Afghanistan – EMSC – October 16, 2024
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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