Strong and shallow M6.0 earthquake hits Hindu Kush region, Afghanistan
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.0 hit Hindu Kush region, Afghanistan at 19:17 UTC on August 31, 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 8 km (5 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.0 at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles).
Epicenter of shallow M6.0 earthquake in Hindu Kush region, Afghanistan on August 31, 2025. Credit: TW/SAM, Google
The epicenter was located 28 km (17 miles) ENE of Jalālābād (population 271 900), 44 km (27 miles) N of Markaz-e Woluswalī-ye Āchīn (population 15 098), and 54 km (34 miles) SW of Asadābād (population 48 400), Afghanistan.
67 000 people are estimated to have felt very strong shaking, 468 000 strong, and 2 552 000 moderate.
The USGS issued an Orange alert for shaking-related fatalities. Significant casualties are likely and the disaster is potentially widespread. Past events with this alert level have required a regional or national level response.
Yellow alert was issued for economic losses. Some damage is possible. Estimated economic losses are less than 1% of GDP of Afghanistan.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are extremely vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though some resistant structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are informal (metal, timber, GI etc.) and adobe block construction.
Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides and liquefaction that might have contributed to losses.
Landslides triggered by this earthquake are estimated to be limited in number and (or) spatial extent.
Little or no liquefaction is expected, but some liquefaction could have occurred in highly susceptible areas.
Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry confirmed on September 1 that at least 622 people were killed and more than 1 500 injured in the earthquake. In Kunar Province alone, at least 500 people were reported dead and over 1 000 injured across five districts.
Officials said entire villages were reduced to rubble.
Landslides triggered by the earthquake, aftershocks, and heavy rains blocked roads in Kunar, preventing rapid access to many areas.
Hours after the earthquake, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said local officials and volunteers had carried out rescue operations and delivered aid. He added that, due to limited resources, the Taliban requested support from international aid organizations.
The Afghan Public Health Ministry said it will take time to confirm the full extent of casualties and damage because the epicenter was in a remote mountainous area.
On September 4–5, a Taliban spokesperson said 2 217 people were killed, and by September 6, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported nearly 3 000 deaths and about 4 000 injuries.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Selected cities exposed
Regional seismicity
References:
1 M6.0 earthquake Hindu Kush, Afghanistan – USGS – August 31, 2025
2 M6.0 earthquake Hindu Kush, Afghanistan – EMSC – August 31, 2025
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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