Significant M5.8 Earthquake hit near Bāzārak in Afghanistan on Friday Afternoon.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on February 20th, 2026. Last updated March 31st, 2026.

A significant Magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck under land 38 kilometer from Bāzārak in Afghanistan in the late afternoon of Friday February 20th, 2026. Around 35 million people have been exposed to shaking. Other countries near the epicenter include Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Felt the earthquake? Share this article:

Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Afghanistan, 38 kilometer (24 mi) north-east of Bāzārak in Panjshir. The center of this earthquake had an intermediate depth of 82 km.

Date and Time:	Feb 20, 2026 05:39PM (Kabul Time) - Feb 20, 2026 13:09 Universal Time.
Location:	38 km NE of Bāzārak, Panjshir, Afghanistan. Coordinates 35°35'38"N 69°44'52"E.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.8 Detected by 27 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.06 .
Depth:	82 km (51 mi) An intermediate depth.
Max. Intensity:	V Moderate 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

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

One person injured in Takhar and 3 homes damaged in Laghman.

Based on scientific estimates by the USGS, the risk of high fatalities for this earthquake is classified at level GREEN (low). They expect an 90% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level GREEN (low). They expect an 90% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact.

Roughly 35 million people exposed to shaking

This earthquake may have been felt by around 35 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.

An estimated 4,308,000 people were exposed to level IV. At this level, light shaking and likely no damage can be expected. Intensity level III was experienced by the majority of people (around 31 million). In their region, weak shaking and probably no damage can be expected.

People in 4 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Afghanistan , around 19 million people, with impact levels up to IV (light shaking, likely no damage). In Pakistan , around 16 million people. A smaller number of people were exposed in the following countries: Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Nearby towns and cities

Afghanistan , Pakistan , Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are all located within 300km distance of the epicenter of the earthquake.

Bāzārak in Panjshir, Afghanistan is the nearest significant place from the epicenter. The earthquake occurred 38 kilometer (24 mi) north-east of Bāzārak. The intensity of shaking and damage in Bāzārak is estimated to be around level IV on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (light shaking, likely no damage).

Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. Kabul is located 130 km to the southwest and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage). Peshawar is located 243 km to the south-east and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage). Rawalpindi is located 375 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 maximum intensity (MMI Scale) caused by this earthquake is IV. 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 7 people in 2 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 7 people have reported shaking in 3 places in 2 countries (Afghanistan, 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:

• Kabul, Kabul, Afghanistan: 5 people.
• Peshawar, North-West Frontier, Pakistan: 1 person.
• Abottabad, North-West Frontier, Pakistan: 1 person.

Risk of aftershocks?

We monitor for foreshocks or aftershocks that have a magnitude of 2.5+ and occur within 100km (62 mi) of the epicenter of this earthquake. So far no such earthquakes have been detected.

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.

It's always adviced to be cautious of the risk of a larger shock following any significant earthquake, however this risk is fairly small. There is a roughly 94 percent change that no larger main shock will follow in the days following this 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 November 2nd, 2025, when a 6.2 magnitude earthquake hit 237 km (147 mi) further northwest. An even stronger magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck on April 10th, 2016.

In total, 14 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 9 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 31/03/26 17:58 (). This article contains currently available information about the earthquake and is automatically composed. We continue to update this article up to a few days after the earthquake occurred.

1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us6000sadt
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20260220_0000192
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

Share this article: