Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) were struck by a 4.0 magnitude earthquake that measured 4.0 on the Richter scale. The earthquake, which reportedly occurred at 5:36 am on Monday morning, was traced to the Durgabai Deshmukh College of Special Education in the Dhaula Kuan area of South Delhi. Delhi-NCR is situated within Seismic Zone IV, meaning the region is vulnerable to moderate to strong earthquakes.
The Delhi-Haridwar Ridge is a significant geological formation that seems to be connected to seismic activity in the Delhi area. According to the Delhi disaster management authority’s website, it aligns with the extension of the Aravali range belt northeast of Delhi towards the Himalayan range below the Ganga basin’s alluvial plains.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged Delhi residents and those in nearby areas to “stay calm” and heed safety instructions.
The earthquake was recorded at a depth of five kilometres, according to the National Centre for Seismology. Even though a 4.0 scale is considered less furious, the earthquake’s impact was quite strong. According to reports, the tremors, which lasted around 35 seconds, were accompanied by a deep reverberating sound. Experts have attributed the sound to the earthquake’s shallow depth, possibly caused by tectonic plate movements and energy bursts.
As expected, the tremors sparked panic as residents in that area fled their homes. Videos shared on social media showed people standing outside. At the time of the article going online, no reports of damage or casualties were made.
The Dhaula Kuan region, which has a nearby lake, typically experiences low-magnitude quakes once every two to three years. In 2015, a 3.3 magnitude earthquake was recorded in the same area. Dr OP Mishra, Director of the National Centre for Seismology, reassured the public that there was no need for concern, as the region lies within a seismic zone. He pointed out that a 4.6 magnitude earthquake occurred there in 2006 and explained that aftershocks would be smaller in magnitude as the fault naturally heals.
Mishra was quoted as saying, “The epicentre was at Jheel Park in Dhaula Kuan, it was a 4.0 magnitude earthquake. It was in the depth of 5 km, it is called shallow depth, hence people felt the effect. People getting panicked was natural. Seismologically, it is not a new region, earthquakes have happened earlier in the region. Earlier, there was a 4.6 magnitude earthquake in the 6 km periphery, but it was deeper, with 10 km depth. There is a difference. It was not a plate tectonic earthquake, it was due to in situ material heterogeneity, it was due to local effect. We can expect aftershocks of around 1 or 1.2 magnitude.”
Epicentre, as defined by US Geological Survey (USGS), is the location directly above the earth’s surface where the quake starts.
“The location below the earth’s surface where the earthquake starts is called the hypocentre, and the location directly above it on the surface of the earth is called the epicentre,” USGS said.
NASA’s science website, a media outlet pointed out, says that an earthquake’s most intense shaking is often felt near the epicentre. “However, the vibrations from an earthquake can still be felt and detected hundreds, or even thousands of miles away from the epicentre,” it mentions.
According to another report, the architecture of buildings, especially high-rises, causes them to sway more, which intensifies the shaking’s apparent intensity.
The Delhi Police and the Delhi Fire Service said that no emergency calls were received related to the earthquake. Authorities on social media advised people to stay calm and remain alert for any potential aftershocks. “Tremors were felt in Delhi and nearby areas. Stay calm and follow safety protocols,” the Delhi Police tweeted.
The Delhi Police also urged residents to dial 112 for any emergencies.
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