2002 Hindu Kush earthquakes

2002 Hindu Kush earthquakes
UTC time2002-03-03 12:08:19
 2002-03-25 14:56:33
ISC event5267309
 2947182
USGS-ANSSComCat
 ComCat
Local dateMarch 3, 2002 (2002-03-03)
 March 25, 2002 (2002-03-25)
Local time16:38:19 AFT (UTC+4:30)
 19:26:33 AFT (UTC+4:30)
MagnitudeMw 7.4
 Mw 6.1
Depth225.6 km (140 mi) (March 3)
8 km (5 mi) (March 25)
Epicenter36°30′07″N 70°28′55″E / 36.502°N 70.482°E / 36.502; 70.482
36°03′43″N 69°18′54″E / 36.062°N 69.315°E / 36.062; 69.315
TypeDip-slip
Areas affected
Max. intensityMMI VII (Very strong)
ForeshocksMw 6.3 on March 3
Casualties1,419–2,219 fatalities, 5,209 injuries, 62–65 missing
  • 169 fatalities, 58 injuries, 50 missing (March 3)
  • 1,200–2,000 fatalities, 5,000 injuries (March 25)
  • 50 fatalities, 150 injuries, 12–15 missing (April 12)
  • 1 injured (other events)

The 2002 Hindu Kush earthquakes struck in northern Afghanistan, with the two most destructive events striking during the month of March. At least 169 people were killed with a very large and intermediate-depth Mw 7.4 event on March 3. Three weeks later, at least 1,200 were killed during a moderate but shallow Mw 6.1 event that had a maximum Mercalli intensity of VII (Very strong). A Mw 5.9 aftershock on April 12, which had a Mercalli intensity of VII (Very strong), killed an additional 50 people. The Mw 7.4 and Mw 6.1 reverse events were focused in the Hindu Kush mountain range area.