Earthquakes in Afghanistan — January 2026
9 earthquakes were recorded in Afghanistan during January 2026, an average of 0.3 per day.
9 reached magnitude 4 or above and 0 reached magnitude 5 or above. The average focal depth was 112 km.
The month's largest event in Afghanistan was a magnitude 4.4 earthquake near Fayrōz Kōh, Afghanistan on 18 January 2026 at 01:35 UTC. A magnitude 4.4 earthquake radiates roughly 60 tons of TNT equivalent in seismic energy.
That is close to the Afghanistan monthly average of 9 events over the period we cover, and up from the 3 recorded the previous month.
22% of events here are shallow (under 70 km), 78% intermediate (70–300 km) and 0% deep-focus (over 300 km). A substantial share of intermediate-depth events points to a subducting slab beneath the region rather than purely crustal faulting.
By band, the catalogue holds 9 in the magnitude 4 range.
Activity peaked on 13 January, when 2 events were recorded.
The month's largest events were M4.4 near Fayrōz Kōh, Afghanistan on 18 January at 10 km; M4.4 near Asadābād, Afghanistan on 06 January at 80 km; M4.3 near Ashkāsham, Afghanistan on 13 January at 199 km.
That is close to the 9 events Afghanistan averages per month across the 21 months on record.
Largest earthquakes in Afghanistan, January 2026
9 events listed below, newest first. Times are UTC. Click any column header to re-sort.
| Time (UTC) | Mag | Location | Depth (km) | Country | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.4 | Fayrōz Kōh, Afghanistan | 10.0 | Afghanistan | View details View | |
| 4.4 | Asadābād, Afghanistan | 79.7 | Afghanistan | View details View | |
| 4.3 | Jurm, Afghanistan | 136.2 | Afghanistan | View details View | |
| 4.3 | Ashkāsham, Afghanistan | 198.9 | Afghanistan | View details View | |
| 4.3 | Ashkāsham, Afghanistan | 185.4 | Afghanistan | View details View | |
| 4.3 | Jurm, Afghanistan | 122.3 | Afghanistan | View details View | |
| 4.2 | Jurm, Afghanistan | 194.1 | Afghanistan | View details View | |
| 4.2 | Aībak, Afghanistan | 10.0 | Afghanistan | View details View | |
| 4.0 | Bāzārak, Afghanistan | 72.0 | Afghanistan | View details View |
Frequently asked questions
How many earthquakes hit Afghanistan in January 2026?
9 earthquakes were recorded in Afghanistan during January 2026, of which 9 were magnitude 4 or above.
What was the biggest earthquake in Afghanistan in January 2026?
A magnitude 4.4 event near Fayrōz Kōh, Afghanistan on 18 January 2026.
Other months in Afghanistan
Magnitudes for January 2026 reflect the current USGS review status and may have been revised since first publication. See our guides on the magnitude scale, focal depth and why earthquakes cluster.