Written by on . Last updated December 3rd, 2024.

In the afternoon of Saturday November 23rd, 2024, a shallow and significant M5.4 earthquake hit under land 162 kilometer from Osh in Kyrgyzstan. Roughly 15 million people may have felt this earthquake. Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Afghanistan are also near its epicenter.

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Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Kyrgyzstan, 162 kilometer (101 mi) south-southwest of Osh. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 10 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time: Nov 23, 2024 14:33 (Bishkek Time)
- Nov 23, 2024 08:33 Universal Time.
Location: 190 km south of Namangan, Uzbekistan.
Coordinates 39°17'44"N 71°47'27"E.
Map: Map of area around epicenter.
Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude: MAG 5.4
Detected by 296 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.034 .
Depth: 10 km (6 mi)
A very shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:
VI
Strong

On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk: Tsunami very unlikely
While this was a shallow earthquake, it appears to have occurred under land with a magnitude not strong enough to cause tsunami's.
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 15 million people exposed to shaking

An estimated 15 million have been exposed to shaking (An MMI or Modified Mercalli Intensity level II or higher) as a result of this earthquake according scientific estimates published by the USGS.

An estimated 630 people were exposed to level V. At this level, moderate shaking and very light damage can be expected. Intensity level III was experienced by the majority of people (around 13 million). In their region, weak shaking and probably no damage can be expected.

People in 5 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Tajikistan , around 2.8 million people, with impact levels up to V (moderate shaking, very light damage). Roughly 2.7 million people were exposed to shaking in Kyrgyzstan . In Uzbekistan , around 9 million people. A smaller number of people were exposed in the following countries: Afghanistan and China.

People MMI Level Shaking Damage
10
I
Not noticable None
1,430,000
II
Very weak None
13,270,000
III
Weak Probably none
85,020
IV
Light Likely none
630
V
Moderate Very light
0
VI
Strong Light
0
VII
Very Strong Moderate
0
VIII
Severe Moderate to heavy
0
IX
Violent Heavy
0
X
Extreme Very heavy

Nearby towns and cities

4 countries can be found within 300km of the epicenter of this earthquake: Kyrgyzstan , Uzbekistan , Tajikistan and Afghanistan .

The closest significant population center near the earthquake is Iradan in Batken, Kyrgyzstan. Iradan is located 111 kilometer (69 mi) south-southwest of the epicenter. The intensity of shaking and damage in Iradan is estimated to be around level III on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (weak shaking, probably no damage).

Major cities near this earthquake: Dushanbe is located 274 km to the west-southwest (intensity unknown, possibly low). Namangan is located 190 km to the north and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage). Andijon is located 172 km to the north-northeast and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage).

A complete list of nearby places is included below. Estimated intensity data (MMI) sourced from a shake-map published by the US Geographic Survey is shown where available (cities without data probably experienced little impact).

Overview of nearby places

Distance Place Intensity (MMI)
111 km (69 mi)
NNE from epicenter
Iradan

Batken, Kyrgyzstan.
III
Weak
111 km (69 mi)
NNE from epicenter
Kyzyl-Kyya

Batken, Kyrgyzstan.
III
Weak
113 km (70 mi)
N from epicenter
Quvasoy

Fergana, Uzbekistan.
III
Weak
121 km (75 mi)
N from epicenter
Fergana

Fergana, Uzbekistan.
III
Weak
125 km (78 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Oltiariq

Fergana, Uzbekistan.
III
Weak
127 km (79 mi)
N from epicenter
Kirguli

Fergana, Uzbekistan.
III
Weak
131 km (81 mi)
N from epicenter
Marg‘ilon

Fergana, Uzbekistan.
III
Weak
131 km (81 mi)
N from epicenter
Toshloq

Fergana, Uzbekistan.
III
Weak
136 km (85 mi)
NW from epicenter
Isfara

Sughd, Tajikistan.
III
Weak
138 km (86 mi)
N from epicenter
Quva

Fergana, Uzbekistan.
III
Weak
146 km (91 mi)
NW from epicenter
Yaypan

Fergana, Uzbekistan.
III
Weak
154 km (96 mi)
NNE from epicenter
Asaka

Andijon, Uzbekistan.
III
Weak
155 km (96 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Qo‘qon

Fergana, Uzbekistan.
III
Weak
161 km (100 mi)
NW from epicenter
Konibodom

Sughd, Tajikistan.
III
Weak
162 km (101 mi)
NNE from epicenter
Osh

Osh, Kyrgyzstan.
III
Weak
162 km (101 mi)
NW from epicenter
Beshariq

Fergana, Uzbekistan.
III
Weak
166 km (103 mi)
NNE from epicenter
Xo‘jaobod

Andijon, Uzbekistan.
III
Weak
172 km (107 mi)
NNE from epicenter
Andijon

Andijon, Uzbekistan.
III
Weak
180 km (112 mi)
NNE from epicenter
Qo‘rg‘ontepa

Andijon, Uzbekistan.
III
Weak
181 km (112 mi)
N from epicenter
Toshbuloq

Namangan, Uzbekistan.
III
Weak
181 km (112 mi)
NNE from epicenter
Kara Suu

Osh, Kyrgyzstan.
III
Weak
182 km (113 mi)
N from epicenter
Haqqulobod

Namangan, Uzbekistan.
III
Weak
185 km (115 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Pop

Namangan, Uzbekistan.
III
Weak
188 km (117 mi)
NNE from epicenter
Oyim

Andijon, Uzbekistan.
III
Weak
190 km (118 mi)
N from epicenter
Namangan

Namangan, Uzbekistan.
III
Weak
191 km (119 mi)
NNE from epicenter
Dardoq

Andijon, Uzbekistan.
III
Weak
191 km (119 mi)
N from epicenter
To‘rqao‘rg‘on

Namangan, Uzbekistan.
III
Weak
192 km (119 mi)
NNE from epicenter
Sultonobod

Andijon, Uzbekistan.
III
Weak
196 km (122 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Chust

Namangan, Uzbekistan.
III
Weak
197 km (122 mi)
N from epicenter
Chortoq

Namangan, Uzbekistan.
III
Weak
199 km (124 mi)
N from epicenter
Uychi

Namangan, Uzbekistan.
III
Weak
202 km (126 mi)
WNW from epicenter
Qayroqqum

Sughd, Tajikistan.
III
Weak
202 km (126 mi)
S from epicenter
Khorugh

Gorno-Badakhshan, Tajikistan.
III
Weak
204 km (127 mi)
N from epicenter
Uchqŭrghon Shahri

Namangan, Uzbekistan.
207 km (129 mi)
WNW from epicenter
Buston

Sughd, Tajikistan.
III
Weak
208 km (129 mi)
NE from epicenter
Uzgen

Osh, Kyrgyzstan.
III
Weak
209 km (130 mi)
NNE from epicenter
Jalal-Abad

Jalal-Abad, Kyrgyzstan.
III
Weak
210 km (130 mi)
NNE from epicenter
Bazar-Korgon

Jalal-Abad, Kyrgyzstan.
III
Weak
211 km (131 mi)
N from epicenter
Yangiqo‘rg‘on

Namangan, Uzbekistan.
215 km (134 mi)
WNW from epicenter
Khujand

Sughd, Tajikistan.
III
Weak
218 km (135 mi)
N from epicenter
Kosonsoy

Namangan, Uzbekistan.
232 km (144 mi)
SW from epicenter
Kŭlob

Khatlon, Tajikistan.
III
Weak
237 km (147 mi)
NW from epicenter
Angren

Toshkent, Uzbekistan.
III
Weak
239 km (149 mi)
WNW from epicenter
Bekobod

Toshkent, Uzbekistan.
249 km (155 mi)
WNW from epicenter
Istaravshan

Sughd, Tajikistan.
254 km (158 mi)
NW from epicenter
Olmaliq

Toshkent, Uzbekistan.
II
Weak
254 km (158 mi)
WSW from epicenter
Vahdat

Republican Subordination, Tajikistan.
256 km (159 mi)
NW from epicenter
Ohangaron

Toshkent, Uzbekistan.
III
Weak
264 km (164 mi)
SSW from epicenter
Fayzabad

Badakhshan, Afghanistan.
274 km (170 mi)
WSW from epicenter
Dushanbe

Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
289 km (180 mi)
WNW from epicenter
Guliston

Sirdaryo Region, Uzbekistan.
296 km (184 mi)
SW from epicenter
Rustāq

Takhar, Afghanistan.
300 km (186 mi)
WNW from epicenter
Zomin Shaharchasi

Jizzax viloyati, Uzbekistan.
Cities and Towns around the epicenter of this earthquake.

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 VI.

I Not felt
II Weak
III Weak
IV Light
V Moderate
VI Strong
VII Very Strong
VIII Severe
IX Violent
X Extreme
Earthquake Intensity Map based on Shakemap Data provided by USGS.

Shaking reported by 1 person

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 1 person has reported shaking in one place in Tajikistan.We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

  • Karakendzha, Karotegin, Tajikistan: 1 person.

Aftershocks detected

Before this earthquake struck, 1 smaller foreshock occurred. Nearby this earthquake a foreshock struck 1 day earlier. It measured a magnitude of 4

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

Classification Magnitude When Where
Foreshock M 4.0 1 day earlier
Nov 22, 2024 13:16 (Bishkek Time)
53 km (33 mi)
E from Main Shock.
Main Shock
This Earthquake
M 5.4 Nov 23, 2024 14:33
(Bishkek Time)
-
Detected MAG2.5+ earthquakes within within 100km (62 mi), that occurred in the three days before and after the main shock.

More earthquakes coming?

Earthquakes can create aftershocks. These are generally at least 1 magnitude lower than any main shock, and as time passes the chance and strength of aftershocks decreases.

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.

Read: How to Stay Safe during an Earthquake (cdc.gov).

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 March 22nd, 2023, when a 5.8 magnitude earthquake hit 163 km (102 mi) further west. An even stronger magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck on December 7th, 2015.

In total, 21 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 6 months.

Tsunami very unlikely

DISCLAIMER: We strongly suggest to closely monitor advice from local authorities with regards to tsunami risks. Our analysis is based on automatically collected data from external sources, and these might contain mistakes. In addition, earthquakes can cause landslides that may lead to a tsunami, or be a followed by another, potentially stonger, earthquake.

While MAG-6.5+ earthquakes may cause tsunami's, it appears that the epicenter of this earthquake hit under land. In addition, the reported depth is deeper than 100km, making the risk of a tsunami even less likely. However always stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Factor Under Sea? MAG-6.5 or stronger? Shallow depth?
Explanation Almost all tsunami's are caused by earthquakes with their epicenter under sea or very near the sea. However stay cautious in coastal areas as earthquakes on land may cause landslides into sea, potentially still causing a local tsunami. Under MAG 6.5: Very unlikely to cause a tsunami.
MAG 6.5 to 7.5: Destructive tsunami's do occur, but are uncommon. Likely to observe small sea level changes.
MAG 7.6+: Earthquakes with these magnitudes might produce destructive tsunami's.
Most destructive tsunami's are caused by shallow earthquakes with a depth between 0 and 100km under the surface of the earth. Deeper tsunami's are unlikely to displace to ocean floor.
This Earthquake Not this earthquake.
This earthquake appears to have struck on land far from any coast.
Not this earthquake.
This earthquake had a magnitude of 5.4. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami.
This earthquake occurred at a depth of of 10 km (6 mi). Earthquakes this shallow could trigger a tsunami.

Sources

Last updated 03/12/24 00:58 (). 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 usd00125in
  2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20241123_0000070
  3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
  4. Google Maps: Static API
  5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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