Written by on . Last updated July 21st, 2026.

In the evening of Saturday June 27th, 2026, a strong M6.1 earthquake hit under land 72 kilometer from Fayzabad in Afghanistan. Shaking may have been felt by a total of 18 million people. Other nearby countries are Tajikistan and Pakistan.

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Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Afghanistan, 72 kilometer (45 mi) south of Fayzabad in Badakhshan. The center of this earthquake had an intermediate depth of 199 km.

Date and Time: Jun 27, 2026 06:04PM (Kabul Time)
- Jun 27, 2026 13:34 Universal Time.
Location: 72 km south of Fayzabad, Badakhshan, Afghanistan.
Coordinates 36°28'50"N 70°43'51"E.
Map: Map of area around epicenter.
Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude: MAG 6.1
Detected by 65 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.038 .
Depth: 199 km (124 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 18 million people exposed to shaking

This earthquake may have been felt by around 18 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.

Light shaking and likely no damage may have been experienced by an estimated 327,600 people. At IV, it is the highest MMI level this earthquake has caused. The majority of people (roughly 17 million) live in an area exposed to level III, where weak shaking and probably no damage is expected.

People in 3 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Afghanistan , around 8 million people, with impact levels up to IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Roughly 3.3 million people were exposed to shaking in Tajikistan . Roughly 6.7 million people were exposed to shaking in Pakistan .

People MMI Level Shaking Damage
0
I
Not noticable None
562,500
II
Very weak None
16,970,000
III
Weak Probably none
327,600
IV
Light Likely none
0
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

5 countries can be found within 300km of the epicenter of this earthquake: Afghanistan , Tajikistan and Pakistan . 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 72 kilometer (45 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 259 km to the southwest (intensity unknown, possibly low). Rawalpindi is located 384 km to the south-east (intensity unknown, possibly low). Peshawar is located 286 km to the south (intensity unknown, possibly low).

An overview of nearby towns and cities is available in the overview below. If places don't have intensity data available, it likely means the experienced impact in those places was fairly small.

Overview of nearby places

Distance Place Intensity (MMI)
72 km (45 mi)
N from epicenter
Fayzabad

Badakhshan, Afghanistan.
III
Weak
83 km (52 mi)
E from epicenter
Ishqoshim

Gorno-Badakhshan, Tajikistan.
III
Weak
108 km (67 mi)
NW from epicenter
Rustāq

Takhar, Afghanistan.
III
Weak
111 km (69 mi)
W from epicenter
Taloqan

Takhar, Afghanistan.
IV
Light
130 km (81 mi)
NW from epicenter
Ārt Khwājah

Takhar, Afghanistan.
III
Weak
134 km (83 mi)
NE from epicenter
Khorugh

Gorno-Badakhshan, Tajikistan.
III
Weak
146 km (91 mi)
W from epicenter
Khanabad

Kunduz, Afghanistan.
III
Weak
150 km (93 mi)
W from epicenter
Nahrīn

Baghlan, Afghanistan.
III
Weak
156 km (97 mi)
NW from epicenter
Chubek

Khatlon, Tajikistan.
III
Weak
163 km (101 mi)
NW from epicenter
Farkhor

Khatlon, Tajikistan.
III
Weak
170 km (106 mi)
W from epicenter
Kunduz

Kunduz, Afghanistan.
III
Weak
170 km (106 mi)
SW from epicenter
Bāzārak

Panjshir, Afghanistan.
III
Weak
171 km (106 mi)
S from epicenter
Āsmār

Kunar, Afghanistan.
III
Weak
175 km (109 mi)
SE from epicenter
Upper Dir

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
III
Weak
176 km (109 mi)
NW from epicenter
Hulbuk

Khatlon, Tajikistan.
III
Weak
176 km (109 mi)
SE from epicenter
Thal

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
III
Weak
180 km (112 mi)
NW from epicenter
Kŭlob

Khatlon, Tajikistan.
III
Weak
183 km (114 mi)
S from epicenter
Asadābād

Kunar, Afghanistan.
III
Weak
185 km (115 mi)
W from epicenter
Baghlān

Baghlan, Afghanistan.
III
Weak
190 km (118 mi)
W from epicenter
Pul-e Khumrī

Baghlan, Afghanistan.
III
Weak
192 km (119 mi)
NW from epicenter
Qarāwul

Kunduz, Afghanistan.
III
Weak
207 km (129 mi)
S from epicenter
Mehtar Lām

Laghman, Afghanistan.
III
Weak
215 km (134 mi)
SW from epicenter
Charikar

Parwan, Afghanistan.
III
Weak
218 km (135 mi)
NW from epicenter
Danghara

Khatlon, Tajikistan.
III
Weak
230 km (143 mi)
S from epicenter
Jalālābād

Nangarhar, Afghanistan.
230 km (143 mi)
NW from epicenter
Bokhtar

Khatlon, Tajikistan.
III
Weak
236 km (147 mi)
SE from epicenter
Bat Khela

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
240 km (149 mi)
SE from epicenter
Mingora

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
III
Weak
244 km (152 mi)
W from epicenter
Aībak

Samangan, Afghanistan.
259 km (161 mi)
SW from epicenter
Kabul

Kabul, Afghanistan.
263 km (163 mi)
S from epicenter
Shabqadar

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
265 km (165 mi)
SW from epicenter
Paghmān

Kabul, Afghanistan.
272 km (169 mi)
W from epicenter
Khulm

Balkh, Afghanistan.
275 km (171 mi)
S from epicenter
Charsadda

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
276 km (171 mi)
NW from epicenter
Vahdat

Republican Subordination, Tajikistan.
281 km (175 mi)
SE from epicenter
Mardan

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
286 km (178 mi)
S from epicenter
Peshawar

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
286 km (178 mi)
NW from epicenter
Dushanbe

Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
288 km (179 mi)
SE from epicenter
Battagram

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
299 km (186 mi)
SE from epicenter
Nowshera Cantonment

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
306 km (190 mi)
SE from epicenter
Swabi

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
311 km (193 mi)
SE from epicenter
Tordher

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
318 km (198 mi)
W from epicenter
Tirmiz

Surxondaryo, Uzbekistan.
321 km (199 mi)
SW from epicenter
Bāmyān

Bamyan, Afghanistan.
323 km (201 mi)
SW from epicenter
Baraki Barak

Logar, Afghanistan.
324 km (201 mi)
W from epicenter
Mazār-e Sharīf

Balkh, Afghanistan.
329 km (204 mi)
S from epicenter
Kohat

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
342 km (213 mi)
SE from epicenter
Muzaffarābād

Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.
343 km (213 mi)
W from epicenter
Balkh

Balkh, Afghanistan.
344 km (214 mi)
SE from epicenter
Abbottabad

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
349 km (217 mi)
SW from epicenter
Gardez

Paktia, Afghanistan.
357 km (222 mi)
S from epicenter
Khōst

Khowst, Afghanistan.
372 km (231 mi)
SE from epicenter
Islamabad

Islamabad, Pakistan.
384 km (239 mi)
SE from epicenter
Rawalpindi

Punjab, Pakistan.
387 km (240 mi)
SW from epicenter
Ghazni

Ghazni, Afghanistan.
388 km (241 mi)
N from epicenter
Razzakov

Batken, Kyrgyzstan.
392 km (244 mi)
W from epicenter
Sang-e Chārak

Sar-e Pol, Afghanistan.
Cities and Towns around the epicenter of this earthquake.

Earthquake Intensity Map

The intensity in shaking and damage by this earthquake is illustrated through the map below. The highest intensity measured for this earthquake is IV.

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 29 people in 5 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 29 people have reported shaking in 18 places in 5 countries (Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India).We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

  • Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan: 5 people.
  • Tashkent, Taschkent, Uzbekistan: 4 people.
  • Kabul, Kabul, Afghanistan: 3 people.
  • Dushanbe, Dushanbe, Tajikistan: 3 people.
  • Baghrami, Kabul, Afghanistan: 1 person.
  • Murgob, Gorno-Badakhshan, Tajikistan: 1 person.
  • Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India: 1 person.
  • Baxt, Sirdaryo, Uzbekistan: 1 person.
  • Taboshar, Sughd, Tajikistan: 1 person.
  • Koson, Ķaşķadarya, Uzbekistan: 1 person.

3 Aftershocks detected

Since this main shock, 3 smaller aftershocks were detected. A 4.5 magnitude earthquake hit 2 days later 16 km (10 mi) northwest of this earthquake.

This main shock was prefaced by 2 smaller foreshocks. Nearby this earthquake a foreshock struck 3 days earlier. It measured a magnitude of 4.6

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

Classification Magnitude When Where
Foreshock M 4.4 3 days earlier
Jun 24, 2026 10:23PM (Kabul Time)
28 km (17 mi)
W from Main Shock.
Foreshock M 4.6 3 days earlier
Jun 24, 2026 10:23PM (Kabul Time)
37 km (23 mi)
NE from Main Shock.
Main Shock
This Earthquake
M 6.1 Jun 27, 2026 06:04PM
(Kabul Time)
-
Aftershock M 4.1 1 day later
Jun 29, 2026 02:01AM (Kabul Time)
34 km (21 mi)
S from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 4.1 1 day later
Jun 29, 2026 02:01AM (Kabul Time)
15 km (9 mi)
SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 4.5 2 days later
Jun 29, 2026 04:03PM (Kabul Time)
16 km (10 mi)
NW from Main Shock.
Detected MAG2.5+ earthquakes within within 100km (62 mi), that occurred in the three days before and after the main shock.

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.

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 are common in the region

Earthquakes of this strength occur quite regularly in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since November 2nd, 2025, when a 6.2 magnitude earthquake hit 299 km (186 mi) further west. An even stronger magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck on February 23rd, 2023.

In total, 6 earthquakes with a magnitude of 6.1 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 2 years.

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.

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

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 6.1. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami.
Not this earthquake.
This earthquake occurred at a depth of 199 km (124 mi). Earthquakes this deep in the earth are unlikely to trigger a tsunami.

Sources

Last updated 21/07/26 01:38 (). 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 us6000t8pa
  2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20260627_0000198
  3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
  4. Google Maps: Static API
  5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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