Strong and shallow M6.3 earthquake hits central Afghanistan
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.3 struck central Afghanistan at 20:28 UTC on November 2 (00:58 local time, November 3), 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 28 km (17.4 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles).
Epicenter of M6.3 earthquake in central Afghanistan on November 2, 2025. Credit: TW/SAM, Google
The epicenter was located 22 km (14 miles) WSW of Khulm (population 64 933), 36 km (22 miles) ESE of Mazār-e Sharīf (population 523 300), 56 km (35 miles) ESE of Balkh (population 114 883), 60 km (37 miles) NNW of Aībak (population 47 823), and 73 km (45 miles) SSE of Tirmiz (population 182 800).
87 000 people are estimated to have felt very strong shaking, 1 486 000 strong, 2 353 000 moderate, and 12 485 000 light.
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.
A 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 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 that might have contributed to losses.
Landslides triggered by this earthquake are estimated to be limited in number and (or) spatial extent. The number of people living near areas that could have produced landslides in this earthquake is low, but landslide damage or fatalities are still possible in highly susceptible areas.
Liquefaction triggered by this earthquake is estimated to be limited in severity and (or) spatial extent. The number of people living near areas that could have produced liquefaction is low, but localized effects remain possible.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Selected cities exposed
Regional seismicity
References:
1 M6.3 earthquake central Afghanistan — USGS — November 2, 2025
2 M6.3 earthquake central Afghanistan — EMSC — November 2, 2025
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