Seismotectonics of the Middle East and Vicinity

No fewer than four major tectonic plates (Arabia, Eurasia, India, and
Africa) and one smaller tectonic block (Anatolia) are responsible for
seismicity and tectonics in the Middle East and surrounding region.
Geologic development of the region is a consequence of a number of
first-order plate tectonic processes that include subduction,
large-scale transform faulting, compressional mountain building and
crustal extension.

Mountain building in northern Pakistan
and Afghanistan is the result of compressional tectonics associated
with collision of the India plate moving northwards at a rate of 40
mm/yr with respect to the Eurasia plate. Continental thickening of the
northern and western edge of the India subcontinent has produced the
highest mountains in the world, including the Himalayan, Karakoram,
Pamir and Hindu Kush ranges. Earthquake activity and faulting found in
this region, as well as adjacent parts of Afghanistan and India, are
due to collisional plate tectonics.