Draft:1994 Afghanistan earthquake

The 1994 Afghanistan Earthquake, or 1994 Mazar-i-Sharif earthquake, was a Mwb 6.1 earthquake that struck the Balkh Province of Afghanistan, the Surxondaryo Region in Uzbekistan, and Khatlon Region in Tajikistan on May 1, at 12:00 UTC. Shaking was felt throughout Northern Afghanistan and was felt as far as Dushanbe and Qarshi. 3 aftershocks with magnitudes of 4 or higher were reported in the following days, with one aftershock being reported having a magnitude of 4.5 and two being reported 4.1. It was the deadliest earthquake to hit Afghanistan since the 1991 Hindu Kush earthquake.

Tectonic setting
The province of Balkh sits right on top of the North Afghanistan Platform, which is also known as the Tajik Block, and the Badakhshan Fault. South of the Badakhshan Fault is the Kabul Block and to the East is the Nuristan Block. Parts of the Hindu Kush mountain range run through the Nuristan Block.

Earthquake
The earthquake struck at 4:30 (AFT) with an intensity of VII on the Modified Mercalli Scale. The epicenter was located about 30 km (18.6 mi) from the city of Mazar-i-Sharif. It was felt through a broad area, with parts of Uzbekistan such as Samarkand felt the earthquake. Aftershocks were reported with varying magnitudes ranging from 4.5 to 2.1.

Impact
Around 20,000 homes across the area as well as 260 public buildings were reported damaged or had collapsed. Because of the material the houses were constructed of in the regions, which were mainly adobe and mud, many houses would be severely damaged, with less damage being dealt to buildings that were constructed of brick.

After the earthquake, emergency response and relief teams were sent, with members from the WFP, UNICEF, IFRC, and the Afghan Red Crescent sent to help. A state of emergency was never declared by the government of Afghanistan. Supplies were sent to the civilians of the areas, with supplies such as tents, plastic sheeting, high protein biscuits, clothing, cooking pots, water carriers, blankets, and collapsible water tanks being provided.