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

Written by Earthquakelist.org on April 18th, 2026. Last updated May 10th, 2026.

A significant Magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck under land 71 kilometer from Fayzabad in Afghanistan in the morning of Saturday April 18th, 2026. Around 17 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, 71 kilometer (44 mi) south of Fayzabad in Badakhshan. The center of this earthquake had an intermediate depth of 201 km.

Date and Time:	Apr 18, 2026 07:54 (Dushanbe Time) - Apr 18, 2026 02:54 Universal Time.
Location:	71 km south of Fayzabad, Badakhshan, Afghanistan. Coordinates 36°31'22"N 70°51'55"E.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.4 Detected by 32 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.055 .
Depth:	201 km (125 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

The USGS has published a report estimating the number of people exposed to this earthquake. Acoording to their analysis, roughly 17 million have been exposed to shaking at an MMI level of II or higher.

An estimated 6,350,000 people were exposed to level III. At this level, weak shaking and probably no damage can be expected. Intensity level II was experienced by the majority of people (around 10 million). In their region, very weak shaking and 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 6.4 million people. In Tajikistan , around 2.9 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 70 kilometer (43 mi) west of the epicenter. The intensity of shaking and damage in Ishqoshim is estimated to be around level II on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (very weak shaking, no damage).

Multiple major population centers exist within 300km of the earthquake that struck today. Kabul is located 270 km to the southwest (intensity unknown, possibly low). Peshawar is located 287 km to the south (intensity unknown, possibly low). Battagram is located 283 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 III.

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 5 people in 3 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 5 people have reported shaking in 4 places in 3 countries (Afghanistan, Pakistan, 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:

• Kabul, Kabul, Afghanistan: 2 people.
• Islamabad, Federal Capital Area, Pakistan: 1 person.
• Jhelum, Punjab, Pakistan: 1 person.
• Tashkent, Taschkent, Uzbekistan: 1 person.

2 Aftershocks detected

Since this main shock, 2 smaller aftershocks were detected. A 4.5 magnitude earthquake hit 22 mins later 9 km (6 mi) northwest of this earthquake.

This main shock was prefaced by 1 smaller foreshock. A 4.3 magnitude earthquake hit 3 days earlier nearby.

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 April 3rd, 2026, when a 5.8 magnitude earthquake hit 6 km (4 mi) further west. An even stronger magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck on February 23rd, 2023.

In total, 32 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 4 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 10/05/26 00:38 (). 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 us6000sr1e
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20260418_0000048
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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