5.44 magnitude earthquake jolts Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region

A 5.44-magnitude earthquake struck Afghanistan on Thursday morning (File photo)

A 5.44-magnitude earthquake jolted Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush region early Thursday, according to the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences.The earthquake struck at 0129 GMT (6.59 am IST), with its epicentre initially located at 36.05 degrees north latitude and 68.87 degrees east longitude.

The quake occurred at a depth of 10 km, making it a relatively shallow earthquake.There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.The Hindu Kush is one of the most seismically active regions around Afghanistan and Pakistan. Earthquakes in the broader Hindu Kush-Pamir region can occur at both shallow and great depths, with some linked to complex tectonic activity beneath the mountain ranges.The wider region lies within the zone of continuing collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates, which has produced frequent earthquakes across the Himalaya, Hindu Kush and surrounding mountain systems.The shallow depth of Thursday’s earthquake is notable because earthquakes occurring closer to the surface can produce stronger shaking near the epicentre than much deeper earthquakes of similar magnitude.The Hindu Kush region has experienced several earthquakes in recent years, including moderate and deeper events recorded by international and regional seismological agencies.