Earthquakes in Afghanistan — August 2026
6 earthquakes were recorded in Afghanistan during August 2026, an average of 0.2 per day.
6 reached magnitude 4 or above and 1 reached magnitude 5 or above. The average focal depth was 118 km.
The month's largest event in Afghanistan was a magnitude 5.3 earthquake near Jurm, Afghanistan on 18 August 2026 at 19:51 UTC. A magnitude 5.3 earthquake radiates roughly 1,344 tons of TNT equivalent in seismic energy.
That is below the Afghanistan monthly average of 9 events over the period we cover — a comparatively quiet month, and down from the 9 recorded the previous month.
33% of events here are shallow (under 70 km), 67% 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 5 in the magnitude 4 range, 1 in the magnitude 5 range.
The month's largest events were M5.3 near Jurm, Afghanistan on 18 August at 196 km; M4.5 near Khandūd, Afghanistan on 07 August at 10 km; M4.4 near Ashkāsham, Afghanistan on 22 August at 176 km.
That is 31% below the 9 events Afghanistan averages per month across the 21 months on record.
Largest earthquakes in Afghanistan, August 2026
6 events listed below, newest first. Times are UTC. Click any column header to re-sort.
| Time (UTC) | Mag | Location | Depth (km) | Country | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3 | Jurm, Afghanistan | 195.9 | Afghanistan | View details View | |
| 4.5 | Khandūd, Afghanistan | 10.0 | Afghanistan | View details View | |
| 4.4 | Ashkāsham, Afghanistan | 175.8 | Afghanistan | View details View | |
| 4.2 | Jurm, Afghanistan | 110.3 | Afghanistan | View details View | |
| 4.1 | Tagāb, Afghanistan | 10.0 | Afghanistan | View details View | |
| 4.1 | Jurm, Afghanistan | 207.2 | Afghanistan | View details View |
Frequently asked questions
How many earthquakes hit Afghanistan in August 2026?
6 earthquakes were recorded in Afghanistan during August 2026, of which 6 were magnitude 4 or above.
What was the biggest earthquake in Afghanistan in August 2026?
A magnitude 5.3 event near Jurm, Afghanistan on 18 August 2026.
Other months in Afghanistan
Magnitudes for August 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.