Significant M5.8 Earthquake struck on Friday Evening near Fayzabad in Afghanistan.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on April 3rd, 2026. Last updated April 5th, 2026.

A significant Magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck under land 68 kilometer from Fayzabad in Afghanistan in the evening of Friday April 3rd, 2026. Shaking may have been felt by a total of 17 million people. Other nearby countries are Tajikistan and Pakistan.

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Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Afghanistan, 68 kilometer (42 mi) south of Fayzabad in Badakhshan. The center of this earthquake had an intermediate depth of 186 km.

Date and Time:	Apr 3, 2026 08:42PM (Kabul Time) - Apr 3, 2026 16:12 Universal Time.
Location:	68 km south of Fayzabad, Badakhshan, Afghanistan. Coordinates 36°32'52"N 70°51'7"E.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.8 Detected by 44 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.047 .
Depth:	186 km (116 mi) An intermediate depth.
Max. Intensity:	IV Light 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 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 17 million people exposed to shaking

An estimated 17 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 11,340,000 people were exposed to level III. At this level, weak shaking and probably no damage can be expected.

People in 3 countries have been exposed to shaking. Roughly 7.3 million people were exposed to shaking in Afghanistan , with level III (weak shaking, probably no damage) as the highest recorded. In Pakistan , around 6.2 million people. Roughly 3.1 million people were exposed to shaking in Tajikistan .

Nearby towns and cities

Afghanistan , Tajikistan and Pakistan are all located within 300km distance of the epicenter of the earthquake. Futher away, this earthquake may also have been felt in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

Fayzabad in Badakhshan, Afghanistan is the nearest significant place from the epicenter. The earthquake occurred 68 kilometer (42 mi) south of Fayzabad. The intensity of shaking and damage in Fayzabad is estimated to be around level III on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (weak shaking, probably no damage).

Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. Kabul is located 271 km to the southwest (intensity unknown, possibly low). Rawalpindi is located 384 km to the south-east (intensity unknown, possibly low). Peshawar is located 290 km to the south (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 III. 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 33 people in 5 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 33 people have reported shaking in 19 places in 5 countries (Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan).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: 6 people.
• Kabul, Kabul, Afghanistan: 5 people.
• Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan: 3 people.
• Tashkent, Taschkent, Uzbekistan: 2 people.
• Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan: 2 people.
• Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India: 2 people.
• Mingaora, North-West Frontier, Pakistan: 1 person.
• Shorkot, North-West Frontier, Pakistan: 1 person.
• Panchkula, Haryana, India: 1 person.
• Chandīgarh, Chandigarh, India: 1 person.

Risk of aftershocks?

We have not yet detected any foreshocks or aftershocks (MAG-2.5 or higher) within 100km (62 mi) of this earthquake.

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.

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 February 20th, 2026, when a 5.8 magnitude earthquake hit 145 km (90 mi) further southwest. An even stronger magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck on February 23rd, 2023.

In total, 16 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 8 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 05/04/26 13:38 (). 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 us6000smda
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20260403_0000416
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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