Wednesday’s 5.4-5.7 magnitude earthquake on the Afghanistan-Tajikistan borderline captivated and terrified locals at 4:42 PM. GFZ data pinpointed the epicenter at 36.93°N, 71.61°E, hypocenter at 90.2 km depth, with shocks cascading into Pakistan’s Peshawar, Swat, Chitral, and Islamabad.
The sudden lurch prompted mass evacuations; streets filled with anxious crowds seeking safety outdoors. No casualties mar the reports thus far, a testament to depth and quick response.
Echoing February 20’s 5.8 quake near Panjshir’s Bazarak (USGS), the region recalls horrors past. Last November’s twin disasters—a 6.3 in October 2023 (4,000+ dead) and August 2024’s 6.0 (2,000+ dead)—scarred the land.
Geological pressures from plate tectonics keep this area on edge. Experts forecast aftershocks, advising caution. With Taliban governance and humanitarian strains, seismic threats compound woes. International seismologists collaborate on early warnings, while communities fortify against the next big one. This episode reinforces the urgent call for resilient building codes and awareness campaigns across borders.