Significant earthquakes of 2023

March 22, 2023 Earthquake: Sughd, Tajikistan

March 22, 2023 · M5.8

A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck Sughd, Tajikistan on March 22, 2023 at 20:07:44 UTC, 11 km below the surface.

Map

Where it struck, with the other significant earthquakes within 200 km. Circles are sized and colored by magnitude; select one for its page.

The earthquake

Date
March 22, 2023
Time
20:07:44 UTC
Place
Sughd, Tajikistan
Magnitude
5.8 (Mw)
Focal depth
11 km (7 mi)
Intensity
6 on the Modified Mercalli scale
Tsunami
None recorded
Epicenter
39.383° N, 69.881° E
Country
Tajikistan

The toll

Injuries
3
Damage
Moderate (about $1 to $5 million)
Houses damaged
399

Where the literature gives no number, NCEI records a description on a scale of 1 to 4, printed here in its words. Damage is in millions of US dollars of the year of the event, not adjusted for inflation.

What the record says

NCEI’s account, from the sources it cites.

Reference #13497:

On 23 March 2023, two earthquakes were registered on the territory of Tajikistan. The first one occurred at 1:07 local time. The epicenter of the earthquake was registered 6-7 km away from Paldorak village, Langar rural jamoat of Kuhistoni Mastchoh district of Sughd Region. The intensity of the first tremors was of 5 to 6 magnitude in the aforementioned districts, 4 to 5 magnitude in Rasht district, and 3 to 4 magnitude as measured in Dushanbe city. The second earthquake occurred at a depth of 40 km at 07:53 local time, with a magnitude of 4.8. In Dushanbe, the intensity of the tremors was 1 to 2 magnitudes and a tremor of 2 magnitudes struck Rasht district. According to preliminary information, no deaths were reported, however, three residents of the Kuhistoni Mastchoh district were injured.

On 28 March 2023, Tajikistan Governmental Commission on damages identified the scale of damages and losses, that include 318 damaged houses in Kuhistoni Mashoh district of Sughd province. All damaged properties were inspected by the Emergency Situations Commission in Paldorak, Yarm, and Pakshif villages of Langar rural jamoat of Kuhistoni Mashoh district. Paldorak village was affected the most with 165 houses damaged. In Pakshif village 49 houses, in Yarm- 23, in Dashti Miyona -11, in Dehmanoro -18, in Rogh - 44, in Samjon - 7 and in Khudqifi Bolo -7 houses were damaged by the earthquake.

The earthquake destroyed many cattle sheds, killing a significant number of big and small cattle - in total, 18 heads of cattle, 27 heads of small cattle and two horses. The 750-meter irrigation canal, which was damaged by the earthquake, deteriorated the vulnerability of population engaged in agriculture.

Rasht and Nurobod districts of Republican Subordination were also affected. According to the Damage Estimation Commission report, 49 houses were significantly damaged in Rasht and Nurobod districts. 32 houses were slightly damaged in affected villages of Rasht district: Porvoq - 15 houses, Duoba - five houses, Saridasht - two houses, Tagoba - three houses, Mulobadal - five houses, Khurikhami - one house, and Pojei Poyon - one house; and 29 houses slightly damaged in affected villages of Nurobod district: Kalnazar- five houses; Kabutiyon - four houses, Pandovchi - three houses, and Tegirmi - 17 houses.

Other significant earthquakes nearby

Within 200 km, the deadliest first.

More

Significant earthquakes of 2023The 2000sEvery quake the USGS located in 2023Recent earthquakes near hereThis day in weather history

Sources

Significant earthquakes from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Hazard Database, cited as NCEI/WDS, doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7. Public domain. Read 2026-09-24. NCEI earthquake 10676.