Paper: GS – I, Subject: Geography, Topic: Geophysical phenomenon, Issue: Afghanistan’s Earthquake Vulnerability.
Context:
A 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck northeast Afghanistan, killing 800+, highlighting the region’s high seismic vulnerability due to plate collision.
Key Takeaways:
Afghanistan Earthquake Vulnerability:
Seismic Risks
Ø Afghanistan is among the most seismically active countries in the world. Its location at the collision zone of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates makes it extremely prone to devastating earthquakes.
- The Hindu Kush region in particular has witnessed multiple high-intensity tremors. Since 1900, Afghanistan has experienced 12 earthquakes of magnitude 7 or more, leading to recurrent loss of life and property.
- This vulnerability is worsened by weak infrastructure, ongoing conflict, poverty, and limited disaster preparedness, making earthquakes not just natural disasters but humanitarian crises.
Why Afghanistan is Highly Vulnerable:
- Tectonic Setting:
- Located at the collision zone of Indian and Eurasian plates, moving 45 mm per year.
- It releases nearly 15% of global seismic energy annually.
- Complex Fault Systems:
- The Hindu Kush mountains host multiple fault lines, leading to frequent, deep-focus and shallow-focus earthquakes.
- Seismic History:
- Repeated large quakes: e.g., 1998 Takhar quake (6,000 deaths), 2002 Hindu Kush quake (1,000 deaths), 2022 Paktika quake (1,100 deaths).
- Fragile Infrastructure:
- Most housing built with mud-brick, unreinforced masonry → highly collapse-prone.
- Socio-Economic Vulnerabilities:
- Poverty, weak governance, conflict, and lack of urban planning amplify disaster risks.
- Limited institutional capacity for disaster management.
| What are Earthquakes? · Cause: Earthquakes occur due to the sudden release of elastic strain energy when tectonic plates slip along fault lines. · Crust & Faults: The Earth’s crust is divided into tectonic plates and their boundaries are fault zones where most quakes originate. Key aspects:Hypocentre: The point inside the Earth where the quake originates. Epicentre: The point on the surface directly above the hypocentre.Magnitude vs Depth:Shallow earthquakes (usually less than 70 km depth) cause maximum destruction, as seismic energy reaches the surface with minimal loss.Each unit increase in magnitude means 10 times higher wave amplitude and 32 times more energy release. |
Way Forward:
- Strengthen Seismic Monitoring: Expand seismic stations, early warning systems.
- Earthquake-Resilient Infrastructure: Promote quake-resistant building codes and retrofitting.
- Community Preparedness: Local training, drills, and awareness campaigns.
- Regional Cooperation: Cross-border disaster response with South and Central Asian nations.
- International Engagement:Â Greater UN, World Bank, and NGO involvement to fund resilience.
Conclusion:
Afghanistan’s unique tectonic setting and fragile socio-economic conditions make earthquakes a recurring threat. While the seismic risk cannot be eliminated, its impact can be minimized through resilient infrastructure, effective disaster governance, and international cooperation. Building earthquake preparedness into Afghanistan’s development strategy is essential to prevent future tremors from turning into humanitarian tragedies.
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-sci-tech/earthquake-afghanistan-10224285/
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