A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck near Khōst, Afghanistan on June 22, 2022 at 1:24 am local time (June 21 20:54 UTC). Seismic instruments indicate the earthquake originated at a depth of 6.2 miles (10 kilometers).

The earthquake struck about 29 miles southwest of Khōst. Perceived shaking for the quake was violent. The preliminary USGS PAGER report shows YELLOW for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses – indicating likely casualties and localized damage. News outlets are reporting over 1,000 fatalities.

The earthquake struck at a shallow depth in a region with buildings extremely vulnerable to earthquake shaking. The event occurred due to strike-slip faulting in the plate boundary zone between the Eurasia and India plates, along the western margin of the Tibetan plateau. The left-lateral, strike-slip Chaman fault is the fastest moving fault in the region and has caused large and destructive earthquakes in the past. 

Visit the USGS earthquake event page for more information. For estimates of casualties and damage, visit the USGS Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response (PAGER) website.

If you felt this earthquake, report your experience on the “USGS Did You Feel It?” website for this event.

The USGS operates a 24/7 National Earthquake Information Center in Colorado that can be reached for more information at 303-273-8500.

Learn more about the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.

We will update this story if more information becomes available.

Earthquake Information/Resources

• Earthquake Basics
• USGS Earthquakes Homepage
• Earthquake Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• USGS Roles, Responsibility, and Research
• Did You Feel It?