Earthquake Tremors Felt Near Delhi: People Rush Out of Homes in Panic, Know the Magnitude
National Desk: Mild earthquake tremors were felt in Delhi-NCR and nearby areas on Monday morning. The epicenter of the earthquake was reported in Rewari district of Haryana.
According to the National Center for Seismology, the earthquake occurred at 7:01 AM. The magnitude of the quake was 2.8 on the Richter scale, and its depth was about 5 kilometers below the ground.
Although the intensity of the earthquake was quite low, no damage or casualties have been reported so far. Many residents of Delhi and surrounding areas experienced slight vibrations, but the situation remained normal.
Why Do Earthquakes Occur?
Earthquakes are the result of natural geological processes occurring beneath the Earth’s surface. According to scientists, the Earth’s outer layer is made up of several large tectonic plates that continuously move at a very slow pace.
Sometimes, collision, pressure, or friction develops between these plates. When this pressure is suddenly released, the Earth’s surface shakes, which is known as an earthquake.
Strong earthquakes can cause major destruction, including the collapse of buildings, damage to roads and bridges, and sometimes significant loss of life and property.
Earthquake Zones in India
According to geologists, around 59% of India’s total land area is considered vulnerable to earthquakes. Scientists have divided the country into four seismic zones:
- Zone 2 – Least sensitive
- Zone 3 – Moderate risk
- Zone 4 – High risk
- Zone 5 – Very high risk
Delhi falls under Zone 4, which is considered a high-risk seismic zone. Earthquakes of magnitude 7 or higher could potentially occur here, which may cause significant destruction.
The Himalayan region and several fault lines such as those in Kutch and Northeast India increase the risk of earthquakes, as the Indian tectonic plate is continuously colliding with the Eurasian plate.
