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Strong quake rattles Afghanistan

Story Highlights
Quake center is 276 kilometers (172 miles) northeast of Kabul
Earthquakes are relatively common in Afghanistan
Since 2002, four major quakes have struck the country, leading to fatalities
In early 2002, about 1,000 people died in a 6.1-magnitude quake
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(CNN) -- A 5.8-magnitude earthquake rattled northeastern Afghanistan early Monday, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

The quake was centered 276 kilometers (172 miles) northeast of Kabul and struck around 8:08 a.m. local time (10:38 p.m. Sunday ET) in the mountainous Hindu Kush region, which borders Pakistan.

Earthquakes are relatively common in Afghanistan. Since 2002, Afghanistan has endured at least four major quakes that led to fatalities, according to USGS.

On March 3, 2002, a 7.4-magnitude quake hit the Hindu Kush region, resulting in 166 fatalities. Just three weeks later, a 6.1-magnitude quake struck the same region, killing about 1,000 people.

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