Significant M5.4 Earthquake struck on Thursday Morning near Fayzabad in Afghanistan.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on August 29th, 2024. Last updated September 17th, 2024.

A significant Magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck under land 88 kilometer from Fayzabad in Afghanistan in the morning of Thursday August 29th, 2024. Around 11 million people have been exposed to shaking. Other countries near the epicenter include Tajikistan and Pakistan.

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Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Afghanistan, 88 kilometer (55 mi) south-east of Fayzabad in Badakhshan. The center of this earthquake had an intermediate depth of 224 km.

Date and Time:	Aug 29, 2024 10:56 (Dushanbe Time) - Aug 29, 2024 05:56 Universal Time.
Location:	37 km SW of Ishqoshim, Gorno-Badakhshan, Tajikistan. Coordinates 36°32'35"N 71°16'5"E.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.4 Detected by 313 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.033 .
Depth:	224 km (139 mi) An intermediate depth.
Max. Intensity:	V Moderate On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Tsunami very unlikely Tsunami's are usually caused by MAG-6.5+ earthquakes, less than 100km shallow, and with an epicenter under sea. Neither of this seems to be the case. Always stay cautious - More info here.

Minimal impact predicted

Based on scientific estimates by the US Geographic Survey (USGS), the risk of high fatalities for this earthquake is classified at level GREEN (low). They expect an 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities, and a 96% chance that the number of fatalities falls no higher than 10.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level GREEN (low). They expect an 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact, and a 96% chance that the economic impact of this earthquake falls no higher than 10 million USD.

Roughly 11 million people exposed to shaking

The USGS has published a report estimating the number of people exposed to this earthquake. Acoording to their analysis, roughly 11 million have been exposed to shaking at an MMI level of II or higher.

An estimated 6,397,000 people were exposed to level IV. At this level, light shaking and likely no damage can be expected.

People in 3 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Pakistan , around 5.7 million people, with impact levels up to IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Roughly 4.3 million people were exposed to shaking in Afghanistan . In Tajikistan , around 1.5 million people.

Nearby towns and cities

3 countries can be found within 300km of the epicenter of this earthquake: Tajikistan , Afghanistan and Pakistan .

The closest significant population center near the earthquake is Ishqoshim in Gorno-Badakhshan, Tajikistan. Ishqoshim is located 37 kilometer (23 mi) southwest of the epicenter. The intensity of shaking and damage in Ishqoshim is estimated to be around level III on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (weak shaking, probably no damage).

Multiple major population centers exist within 300km of the earthquake that struck today. Kabul is located 294 km to the southwest (intensity unknown, possibly low). Peshawar is located 283 km to the south (intensity unknown, possibly low). Battagram is located 261 km to the south-east (intensity unknown, possibly low).

The table below provides an overview of all places in proximity of today's earthquake. Where available, the estimated intensity on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale in each place is included. Places where this information is omitted likely experienced little impact.

Overview of nearby places

Earthquake Intensity Map

The graph below overlays a map of the region around the epicenter with earthquake intensity data provided by the US Geographic Survey. The highest intensity level detected for this earthquake is IV.

I Not felt

II Weak

III Weak

IV Light

V Moderate

VI Strong

VII Very Strong

VIII Severe

IX Violent

X Extreme

Shaking reported by 6 people in 3 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 6 people have reported shaking in 5 places in 3 countries (Afghanistan, India, Pakistan).We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

• Islamabad, Federal Capital Area, Pakistan: 2 people.
• Kabul, Kabul, Afghanistan: 1 person.
• Srīnagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India: 1 person.
• Peshawar, North-West Frontier, Pakistan: 1 person.
• Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan: 1 person.

3 Aftershocks detected

Since this main shock, 3 smaller aftershocks were detected. A 4.4 magnitude earthquake hit 19 hrs later 24 km (15 mi) southwest of this earthquake.

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

More earthquakes coming?

Aftershocks are usually at least 1 order of magnitude less strong than main shocks. The more time passes, the smaller the chance and likely strength of any potential aftershocks.

In only six percent of cases, significant earthquakes are followed by a larger main shock, making the current earthquake a foreshock. While the chance of this happening is not so large, it is adviced to maintain cautiousness in the hours and days following a major earthquake.

Earthquakes like this happen often in the region

Earthquakes of this strength are very common in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since January 11th, 2024, when a 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit 60 km (37 mi) further west. An even stronger magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck on October 26th, 2015.

In total, 35 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.4 or higher have been registered within 300km (186 mi) of this epicenter in the past 10 years. This comes down to an average of once every 3 months.

Tsunami very unlikely

It is very unlikely that this eartquake will cause any tsunami's. The reported magnitude is lower than the MAG-6.5 strength required to cause any earthquakes. In addition, this earthquake was not very shallow and appears to have occurred under land. However always stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Sources

Last updated 17/09/24 07:28 (). As more information on this earthquake becomes available this article will be updated. This article is automatically composed based on data originating from multiple sources.

1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us6000nnfd
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20240829_0000053
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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