M4.5 Earthquake 43 km E of Khandūd, Afghanistan — October 17, 2025
2025-10-17 14:50:16 UTC (2025-10-17) · approx. 7:50 PM UTC+5 local
On October 17, 2025 at 14:50 UTC, a magnitude 4.5 shallow crustal earthquake struck 43 km E of Khandūd, Afghanistan, at a depth of 10.0 km and coordinates 36.9316°, 72.8060°. This earthquake was detected by 41 seismic stations with good location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 312, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 4.5 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 85 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 767 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
The epicenter is located in Afghanistan, a region characterized by the Hindu Kush deep seismic zone, where remnant subducted lithosphere produces intermediate-depth earthquakes at 150-300 km. View all earthquakes in Afghanistan.
Learn more: Magnitude scale · Aftershock sequences
Earthquake Details
72.8060°E
Technical Information
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Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 4.5 earthquake near Khandūd, Afghanistan?
The magnitude 4.5 earthquake that struck 43 km E of Khandūd, Afghanistan on October 17, 2025 at 14:50 UTC had a depth of 10.0 km. For context, this was a light earthquake commonly felt near the epicenter.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at 36.9316°, 72.8060°, which is 43 km E of Khandūd, Afghanistan. View all earthquakes in Afghanistan.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 4.5 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.
Has Afghanistan had earthquakes this big before?
The largest recorded earthquake in Afghanistan was the M7.5 Hindu Kush earthquake of October 26, 2015. Today's magnitude 4.5 event is significantly smaller than that historical record.
What should I do after an earthquake?
If you were in the affected area: check yourself and others for injuries, inspect your home for damage, and be prepared for aftershocks. For detailed guidance, see our earthquake safety guide and emergency planning resources.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: us6000rhsk). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2025, October 17, 2025). M4.5 Earthquake 43 km E of Khandūd, Afghanistan — October 17, 2025. Retrieved May 27, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/us6000rhsk/