An intense magnitude 6 earthquake shook Afghanistan and its neighbors this Saturday (27), causing fear among residents. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed the earthquake, which had its epicenter located in northeastern Afghanistan.
The extent of the tremor was significant, with reports that the movement was noticed not only in Afghan provinces such as Khost and Nangarhar, but also in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad. The population was taken by surprise by the natural phenomenon, which raised concern in several communities.
Details about the depth and epicenter of the tremor
Information released by the USGS indicates that the epicenter of the earthquake was recorded at a depth of 208.3 kilometers. This characteristic is notable for an earthquake because the great depth often allows seismic waves to propagate over a much wider area before reaching the surface and being felt by people. More superficial tremors, even of similar magnitude, tend to cause more localized damage.
Reports of panic among residents in Pakistan
In Pakistan, the effects of the earthquake were immediately noticeable. In Swat, a district in the northern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, residents were seen leaving their homes in a state of panic. Daniyal Ahmad, a local resident, described the situation.
“It was a huge thing here in Swat and it lasted a long time. People came out of their homes and women and children were seen crying in panic,” reported Daniyal Ahmad. To date, there are no official communications about possible victims or the extent of material damage caused by the earthquake.
Seismic activity common in the Central Asian region
The region where the earthquake occurred is known for its intense seismic activity, being located in an area where large tectonic plates meet. Events like this are not uncommon in Central Asia and South Asia, where the collision between the Indian plate and the Eurasian plate causes frequent tremors. The depth of the current earthquake, although mitigating the direct destructive impact at the epicenter, contributed to the energy being felt across a wider radius, reaching several cities and towns in two different countries.