Earthquake Journal Entry
Deadly Quake Slams Afghanistan (April 21, 2009)
The bullseye is the epicenter of the deadly earthquake in Afghanistan. USGS.
A deadly earthquake rocked the rugged Hindu Kush mountain region of Afghanistan. The magnitude 5.5 quake killed at least twenty-two people and leveled hundreds of homes. It was followed by an aftershock nearly as strong about two hours later. The quakes caused heavy damages in several villages in Nangahar Province. Rescue workers dug through huge piles of rubble searching for survivors.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the quake's epicenter was 55 miles (90 km) southeast of Afghanistan's capital Kabul. The shallow struck only 3 miles (5 km) below the surface. Earthquakes in the quake-prone region are the result of the northward push of the Indo-Australian plate, which carries India, into the Eurasian plate.
About 150 million years ago, the Indian subcontinent broke away from Antarctica. 100 million years later, it slammed into Asia. To this day, the collision is thrusting the majestic Himalayas high into the sky. The region's rugged terrain is laced with many earthquake faults. The most deadly quake to strike in recent memory was in October 2005. Damages from that quake, which killed more than 70,000 people, are still visible in many areas.
