On Sunday Morning a Shallow M5.8 Earthquake struck 181km from Dushanbe in Tajikistan.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on April 13th, 2025. Last updated April 28th, 2025.

In the morning of Sunday April 13th, 2025, a shallow and significant MAG-5.8 earthquake hit under land 181 kilometer from Dushanbe in Tajikistan. Earthquakes like this can cause significant economic damage and have a significant risk at casualties. Other nearby countries are Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.

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Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Tajikistan, 181 kilometer (112 mi) east-northeast of Dushanbe. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 8 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Apr 13, 2025 09:24 (Dushanbe Time) - Apr 13, 2025 04:24 Universal Time.
Location:	181 km ENE of Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Coordinates 38°58'48"N 70°47'22"E.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.8 Detected by 35 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.052 .
Depth:	8 km (5 mi) A very shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	VIII Severe 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.

Significant impact predicted

The US Geographic Survey (USGS) describes the impact of this earthquake as follows:

The earthquake destroyed 29 houses and one school building. A wall of a house collapsed in the Rasht district, killing a three-year-old child..

Based on scientific estimates by the USGS, the risk of high fatalities for this earthquake is classified at level YELLOW (significant). They expect an 50% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities, and a 90% chance that the number of fatalities falls no higher than 10.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level YELLOW (significant). They expect an 43% likelyhood of between 1 and 10 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact, and a 94% chance that the economic impact of this earthquake falls no higher than 100 million USD.

Roughly 19 million people exposed to shaking

This earthquake may have been felt by around 19 million people. That is the expected population size of the area exposed to a level of shaking of II or higher on the Modified Mercalli scale according to the USGS.

Severe shaking and likely moderate to heavy damage may have been experienced by an estimated 30 people. At VIII, it is the highest MMI level this earthquake has caused. Intensity level III was experienced by the majority of people (around 12 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 9 million people, with impact levels up to VIII (severe shaking, likely moderate to heavy damage). Roughly 7 million people were exposed to shaking in Uzbekistan . In Kyrgyzstan , around 1.8 million people. A smaller number of people were exposed in the following countries: Afghanistan and Kazakhstan.

Nearby towns and cities

This earthquake struck within proximity of multiple countries. Tajikistan , Kyrgyzstan , Uzbekistan and Afghanistan are all within 300km distance of its epicenter. Futher away, this earthquake may also have been felt in Kazakhstan.

Located 128 kilometer (80 mi) south of the epicenter of this earthquake, Isfara (Sughd, Tajikistan) is the nearest significant population center. The intensity of shaking and damage in Isfara is estimated to be around level IV on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (light shaking, likely no damage).

Major cities near this earthquake: Tashkent is located 287 km to the north-northwest (intensity unknown, possibly low). Dushanbe is located 181 km to the west-southwest and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Namangan is located 237 km to the north-northeast (intensity unknown, possibly low).

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

Earthquake Intensity Map

The maximum intensity (MMI Scale) caused by this earthquake is VIII. The map below shows in which areas this earthquake was the most and least impactful. It is based on data from the US Geographic Survey.

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 30 people in 4 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 30 people have reported shaking in 9 places in 4 countries (Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan).We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

• Dushanbe, Dushanbe, Tajikistan: 8 people.
• Tashkent, Taschkent, Uzbekistan: 8 people.
• Garm, Karotegin, Tajikistan: 6 people.
• Navabadski, Karotegin, Tajikistan: 2 people.
• Celalabad, Celalabad, Kyrgyzstan: 2 people.
• Kattaqoʿrgʿon, Samarkand, Uzbekistan: 1 person.
• Khowst, H̱awst, Afghanistan: 1 person.
• Kabul, Kabul, Afghanistan: 1 person.
• Oş, Oş, Kyrgyzstan: 1 person.

5 Aftershocks detected

After this earthquake struck, 5 smaller aftershocks occurred. Just 10 hrs after this main shock, an earthquake measuring MAG-4.7 was detected 8 km (5 mi) south of this earthquake.

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

More earthquakes coming?

The risk of aftershocks decreases rapidly over time. Usually, aftershocks are at least one order of magnitude lower than a main shock.

The chance that a significant earthquake like this one is followed by an even larger earthquake is not so large. On average, scientists estimate a 94% chance that a major earthquake will not be followed by an even larger one. It is still adviced to be aware of this risk

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 October 16th, 2024, when a 5.9 magnitude earthquake hit 274 km (170 mi) further south. An even stronger magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck on October 26th, 2015.

In total, 23 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.8 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 5 months.

Tsunami very unlikely

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

Sources

Last updated 28/04/25 05:28 (). 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 us6000q5q8
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20250413_0000044
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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