Afghanistan Earthquake: 6.5 Magnitude Yamgan District, Badakhshan Province, 21 March 2023

This earthquake event took place in the Yamgan District of Badakhshan province, on 21 March 2023 around 16:47 UTC (21:17 Kabul time), with 6.5 Magnitude at 187.6 km depth, according to the USGS website (earthquake.usgs.gov). Tremors were also felt in Pakistan and India. Preliminary reports from different sources revealed some deaths and injuries in Afghanistan and Pakistan, although these are not yet confirmed or officially announced by authorities. According to Seismology, extreme earthquakes usually produce aftershocks around its epicenter, which are smaller earthquakes that occur in the same general area as the main shock. They are caused by the readjustment of the earth’s crust after the main shock. The frequency of aftershocks decreases with time, but they can continue for days, weeks, or even months after the main shock (USGS).