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Earthquakes in India, Causes, Types, Zones, Impact and Precautions

The sudden shaking in earth’s crust is known as an earthquake. Know about Earthquakes in India its Causes, Types, Seismic Zones, Impact and Precautions in the article below to gain knowledge.
authorImageParul Rishi17 Apr, 2024
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Earthquakes in India

Earthquakes in India: Earthquakes are powerful natural disasters that cause significant harm to people and property worldwide every year. To address this, a committee for disaster management has put in place various safety measures to reduce the destructive consequences of these events. This article seeks to offer a complete understanding of Earthquakes in India, including Causes, Types, Zones, Impact, as well as clear Causes, Types, Zones, Impact and Precautions on how to react during and after an earthquake.

Earthquakes in India

An earthquake is when the ground shakes. It happens naturally because energy is released, creating waves that move in all directions. When an earthquake happens, the Earth vibrates, and we can see this on machines called seismographs. Every day, there are small earthquakes, but big ones that can cause lots of damage are not as common. These big earthquakes often occur near plate boundaries, especially where big pieces of the Earth's surface are crashing into each other. In India, a lot of earthquakes happen in the Himalayan region, where the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate meet. Most of Earthquakes in India are usually stable, but sometimes, we can feel earthquakes on the edges of smaller plates. For example, there were Earthquakes in India in the peninsular areas in 1967 and 1993. Indian scientists divided India into four earthquake risk zones: Zone II, Zone III, Zone IV, and Zone V. In Zone V and IV, you can find the entire Himalayan region, as well as states in North-East India, Western and Northern Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and parts of Gujarat. Much of the central peninsular region is in a low-risk zone, while the northern lowlands and the western coastal regions have a moderate earthquake risk.

Causes of Earthquakes in India

Usually Earthquakes in India are caused due to 3 major reasons which are elaborated below:
  • Avalanches and Landslides:
When there are earthquakes in hilly areas, the ground can shake and make the hills unstable. This can cause rocks and debris to slide down the slopes, creating landslides. For example, in 2015, the Nepal earthquake caused avalanches on and near Mount Everest. In 2011, the Sikkim earthquake also led to landslides and damage around hydroelectric projects.
  • Floods:
Earthquakes can lead to sudden floods and problems with dams and reservoirs. Sometimes, the debris from landslides and avalanches can block rivers, causing water to overflow. In 1950, the Assam earthquake created a blockage in the Dihang River, which resulted in quick floods upstream.
  • Tsunamis:
When there's an earthquake under the ocean, it can move a lot of water and create huge waves called tsunamis. These waves happen because of the earthquake's shaking under the sea. A notable example is the 2004 earthquake near Sumatra's coast, which caused the Indian Ocean Tsunami. This earthquake occurred because one piece of the Earth's crust went beneath another. It was a very tragic event, with over 240,000 people losing their lives in the Indian Ocean region and nearby countries. In 2011, a powerful underwater earthquake in Japan produced ten-meter-high tsunami waves during the devastating Tohoku earthquake. This earthquake also caused a serious problem when the nuclear reactors at Fukushima Daiichi overheated because the emergency generators, which cooled the reactors, were damaged due to the earthquake's impact. This resulted in a major global issue concerning radioactive materials.

Types of Earthquakes in India

There are several kinds of earthquakes that can be seen:
  • Tectonic Earthquakes
The most common type of earthquake happens when pieces of the Earth's crust, known as tectonic plates, move around. This movement causes the ground to shake.
  • Volcanic Earthquake
These earthquakes, which are not as frequent as tectonic ones, occur before or after a volcano erupts. They happen when rocks from deep within the Earth mix with the molten lava that's coming out of the volcano.
  • Collapse Earthquake
In underground mines, there can be earthquakes. These quakes occur because of the pressure that builds up inside rocks deep in the Earth.
  • Explosion Earthquakes
This type of earthquake doesn't happen naturally. Instead, it's caused by a powerful explosion, like a nuclear explosion.

Zones of Earthquakes

India has different earthquake zones. These zones help us understand how strong earthquakes can be in different parts of the country. This division is done using the Modified Mercalli (MM) intensity scale, which measures the impact of earthquakes, merging the low danger zone, or Seismic Zone I, with Seismic Zone II. Zone I is therefore excluded from the mapping.
  • Zone II:
This is a low-intensity zone. It's in the southern part of India and some other places, covering about 40.93% of the country.
  • Zone III:
In this zone, earthquakes are somewhat stronger. It includes states like Kerala, Goa, and parts of Punjab, Rajasthan, and others. It covers about 30.79% of India.
  • Zone IV:
Zone IV is where earthquakes can be quite strong. It includes areas like Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, and parts of other states. This zone covers about 17.49% of India.
  • Zone V:
This is the most severe earthquake zone. It includes places like North Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat's Rann of Kutch, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It covers about 10.79% of the country.

Impact of Earthquakes in India

  • Impact on People and Buildings
Sometimes, when the ground shakes, it can hurt towns and buildings. Let's see what happened in Nepal in 2015 as an example. In Nepal, a big earthquake with a strength of 7.8 happened about 8.2 kilometres deep in the Earth. Sadly, many people lost their lives because the cities grew too fast, and the buildings were not strong enough. In Kathmandu, a city in Nepal, about 8,000 people died, and they lost around 10 billion dollars.
  • Rivers Changing Course
Earthquakes can make rivers go in a different direction. This happens when something blocks or changes the way the river flows.
  • Mud and Hot Water
A powerful earthquake can cause mud and hot water to come out. Long ago, in 1934, the fields were covered in deep mud because of an earthquake in Bihar.
  • Fire Dangers
Earthquakes can damage gas pipes and electricity systems. It's tough to stop fires when an earthquake breaks everything.

Earthquakes in India List

India has experienced some powerful earthquakes in its history. Over 58.6% of the country is prone to earthquakes of varying intensities. Here are some of the major earthquakes that have occurred in India:
  • The Katch Earthquake in 1819 had a magnitude of 8.3.
  • In 1897, Assam experienced a significant earthquake.
  • The Bihar-Nepal Earthquake in 1934 registered a magnitude of 8.4.
  • The Koyna Earthquake of 1967 had a magnitude of 6.5.
  • In 1991, Uttarkashi experienced an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.6.
  • The Killari Earthquake in 1993 had a magnitude of 6.4.
  • Bhuj experienced a powerful earthquake in 2001 with a magnitude of 7.7.
  • In 2005, Jammu and Kashmir also faced a significant earthquake.

Earthquakes in India Year Wise List

In the past century, several major earthquakes have struck the Indian subcontinent, including India and Nepal. Let's take a look at some of the most significant ones.
Earthquakes in India Year Wise List
2015 India/Nepal Earthquake
2011 Sikkim Earthquake
2005 Kashmir Earthquake
2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake
2001 Bhuj Earthquake
1999 Chamoli Earthquake
1997 Jabalpur Earthquake
1993 Latur Earthquake
1991 Uttarkashi Earthquake
1941 Andaman Islands Earthquake
1975 Kinnaur Earthquake
1967 Koynanagar Earthquake
1956 Anjar Earthquake
1934 Bihar/Nepal Earthquake
1905 Kangra Earthquake

Biggest Earthquakes in India

The Bhuj earthquake in 2001 was a tragic event that happened on January 26th near the border of India and Pakistan, in the state of Gujarat. It was the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in India, registering 8.6 on the Richter scale. Another significant earthquake hit the India-China region on August 15, 1950, with a magnitude of 8.6 as well. The Bhuj earthquake resulted in the loss of 1530 lives due to the movement of tectonic plates deep within the Earth's surface, about 30 kilometers below.

Precautions of Earthquakes in India

Precautions of Earthquakes in India are crucial because they can greatly help when a disaster happens. Here are some important actions to do before, during and after an earthquake occurs:

Before the Earthquake

Use Flexible Gas Connections: To stay safe, make sure that gas pipes and appliances are correctly installed with flexible connections. This helps to avoid gas leaks and reduce the risk of fires when an earthquake happens. Plan for Earthquakes: Create a smart plan to be ready for earthquakes. Find a safe spot in your home where you can go during an earthquake. Stock up on important things like canned food, a good first aid kit, enough water, dust masks, safety goggles, firefighting gear, a flashlight, and a working radio with batteries. These things will be very useful if an earthquake occurs. Get Advice from Experts: It's really important to build strong and safe buildings, especially if you live in an area where earthquakes can happen. Before you start building, talk to architects and structural engineers. They can help you follow the rules from the people who manage disaster situations, and make sure your building is strong and safe. Spread the Word: Tell your friends and family about earthquake safety. When you teach the people around you about this, you're helping to make your community safer.

During the Earthquake

When an earthquake happens, being quick on your feet and making the right choices can save lives. Here are some important tips to keep in mind: Stay Inside: Don't rush to go outside when the ground is shaking. Wait until it's officially declared safe. While you're indoors, try to take cover under a strong table or bed to protect yourself from falling things. Avoid Dangerous Places: Stay away from things like bookshelves, heavy furniture, and appliances that could fall over during the earthquake. Your safety is the most important thing. Find a Safe Spot: If you're inside, look for a strong piece of furniture like a table or bed to take cover under. Hold on to something sturdy, like a post, to stay steady and reduce the risk of getting hurt. If You're Outside, Get to an Open Area: If you happen to be outside when the earthquake happens, try to find a clear spot that's far from buildings, trees, and power lines. These things can be really dangerous during an earthquake.

After the Earthquake

After the earthquake ends, it's crucial to be cautious and take these steps: Provide First Aid Help people with minor injuries using first aid kits. For those with severe injuries, wait for professional medical assistance and avoid moving them until it's safe. CPR and Rescue Breathing If someone isn't breathing, do rescue breathing. If the person has no pulse, perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) until medical help arrives. Be Aware of Dangers Look out for falling shelves and objects, and be careful around damaged walls made of bricks or unstable materials. Your safety comes first. Check Gas and Electricity Check for gas leaks and turn off the main power switch if there's a risk of damage. Unplug broken appliances until they can be properly fixed. Stay Away from Power Lines Keep a safe distance from fallen power lines and anything touching them. Electricity is dangerous, so be careful.

Monitoring Departments of Earthquakes in India

The Indian government gets reports about earthquakes and their dangers from a part of the Ministry of Earth Sciences. This department has three sections: one for watching the earth's movements, another for assessing earthquake risks, and the last for monitoring and providing services related to earthquakes.
  • National Earthquake Risk Mitigation Project (NERMP):
This project aims to improve programs that reduce earthquake risks. It helps make areas prone to earthquakes safer. In places where earthquakes are common, they take steps to reduce the risk. The NDMA, a government agency, has prepared a detailed project report (DPR) for this project.
  • National Building Code (NBC)
The National Building Code is a set of rules that everyone building in India must follow. It was first made in 1970, and then it was updated in 1983. After that, there were three important changes – two in 1987 and the third in 1997. The National Building Code of India from 2005 replaced the updated one (NBC 2005). It focuses on making buildings safer during natural disasters and using the best practices from around the world.
  • Building Materials & Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC)
This organisation takes on projects to make old buildings stronger and safer. They want to raise awareness among the public and government bodies. They are particularly interested in helping people and policymakers reduce the risk of thousands of existing buildings during earthquakes. To succeed in upcoming exams, candidates should consider exploring PW SSC Books We provide high-quality content at an affordable price, including sample papers, mock tests, guidance sessions, and more to ensure aspirants secure their selection. Also, enroll today on SSC Online Coaching to turn your dreams into reality.
Other Related Links
Tiger Reserves in India National Parks in India
Biosphere Reserves in India Elephant Reserves in India

Earthquakes in India FAQs

Q1. What are the 5 largest earthquakes ever recorded in India?

• 1993 Latur Earthquake • 1991 Uttarkashi Earthquake • 1941 Andaman Islands Earthquake • 1975 Kinnaur Earthquake • 1967 Koynanagar Earthquake.

Q2. Which is the biggest earthquake in India?

The devastating Bhuj earthquake of 2001 took place on January 26, 2001, in the Indian state of Gujarat, close to the Pakistani border.

Q3. Which city in India is most prone to earthquake?

• Guwahati • Srinagar • Mumbai • Pune • Kerala • Delhi • Chennai • Kochi • Thiruvananthapuram • Patna.
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