28 Oct 2023 | 07:10 AM UTC
Afghanistan: Magnitude-4.5 earthquake occurs north-northwest of Herat City, Herat Province, at around 10:15 Oct. 28
Magnitude-4.5 earthquake occurs near Herat City, Afghanistan, at 10:15 Oct. 28. No initial reports of damage or casualties.
A magnitude-4.5 earthquake occurred near Herat City, Herat Province, at around 10:15 Oct. 28. The epicenter was about 24 km (15 miles) north-northwest of Herat City. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles), and light shaking was possible throughout much of northwestern Afghanistan, southern Turkmenistan, and northeastern Iran. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake; damage to rudimentary infrastructure is possible close to the epicenter. The earthquake could also trigger landslides on unstable slopes. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas.
Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.
Consider vacating multistory buildings out of an abudance of caution if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel due to possible brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.
