What is an Earthquake?
- An earthquake = sudden shaking of Earth’s surface due to release of stored energy (elastic strain) in rocks.
- Occurs when two tectonic blocks slip past one another → seismic waves radiate out.
- Key terms:
- Hypocenter: Point inside Earth where quake starts.
- Epicenter: Point directly above it on surface.
- Magnitude: Measures energy released (Richter/Mw scale).
- Depth: Shallow quakes (<70 km) more destructive than deep ones.
Relevance : GS I (Geography – Earthquakes, Plate Tectonics) + GS III (Disaster Management – Preparedness, Response, Regional Cooperation)
Why Do Earthquakes Occur?
- Earth’s crust is divided into tectonic plates.
- Plates move (few cm/year), colliding, diverging, or sliding → stress builds → sudden slip → quake.
- Magnitude vs Impact:
- Each unit rise in magnitude ≈ 32x more energy.
- Magnitude 6 releases 32x more energy than magnitude 5.
Why Afghanistan is So Vulnerable
- Tectonic Setting:
- Lies on collision zone between Indian Plate and Eurasian Plate.
- Collision rate: ~45 mm/year (among fastest in world).
- Creates complex fault systems (thrust + strike-slip faults).
- Seismicity:
- Hindu Kush region → one of most active globally.
- Recorded >7 major quakes (>7.0 magnitude) since 1900.
- Geography & Settlement Patterns:
- Mountainous terrain → landslides, blocked rescue.
- Many rural houses → made of mud-brick, stone → collapse easily.
- Dense family sleeping arrangements at night → high casualties.
- Socio-political Factors:
- Weak governance, poor infrastructure, limited disaster response.
- Conflict zones → difficult access for rescue and aid.
Why Do Shallow Quakes Cause More Damage?
- Depth < 70 km = “shallow focus earthquake.”
- Energy is released close to surface → intense ground shaking.
- Example: 2023 Herat quakes killed ~1,300 people; 2025 Nangarhar quake killed 800+.
Implications of Afghanistan’s Seismic Vulnerability
- Humanitarian: Mass deaths, injuries, displacement.
- Economic: Destruction of homes, livelihoods, agriculture.
- Regional Spillover: Tremors affect Pakistan, Iran, Central Asia.
- Geopolitical: International aid dependence; Taliban regime’s limited capacity.
Way Forward – Reducing Risks
- Preparedness:
- Early warning systems; seismic monitoring networks.
- Community awareness & drills.
- Resilient Infrastructure:
- Earthquake-resistant construction codes (mud-brick retrofitting).
- Ban on unsafe hillside settlements.
- Disaster Response:
- Regional cooperation (SAARC, SCO) for disaster relief.
- Pre-positioned rescue supplies in quake-prone zones.
- Long-term Strategy:
- Integrate seismic risk into urban planning.
- International support for rebuilding with resilience.
