By The Sampadak Express
On Monday morning, an earthquake jolted the people of Delhi and its surrounding areas, waking many from their sleep. With a magnitude of 4 on the Richter scale, the earthquake’s intensity caught many by surprise, as many claimed they had never felt such a strong tremor before. So, why did the earthquake feel so powerful despite its relatively low magnitude?
What Happened During the Earthquake?
The earthquake struck Delhi at approximately 5:36 am on Monday, at a depth of 5 kilometers. As soon as the tremors hit, people rushed out of their homes in panic.
Why Did the Earthquake Feel Strong?
Srijan Pal Singh, former advisor to the 11th President of India and founder of Kalam Centre and Homi Lab, explained the phenomenon on social media platform X. He clarified that the earthquake felt stronger because its epicenter was located within Delhi itself.“
The Delhi earthquake you just witnessed was around 4.0 on the Richter scale. That is not very high (earthquakes can reach magnitudes of 6.0 and more), but you felt bigger tremors than ever before. Why? Because the epicenter is within Delhi itself. This is how quakes feel at the epicenter,” he wrote.
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenter is the location directly above the Earth’s surface where the earthquake begins. The energy released from earthquakes travels through the Earth in vibrations known as ‘seismic waves’. The most intense shaking is often felt near the epicenter, but vibrations can still be detected hundreds or even thousands of miles away.
The Epicenter of the Delhi EarthquakeMonday’s earthquake had its epicenter near Dhaula Kuan, close to Durgabai Deshmukh College of Special Education. This area has experienced smaller earthquakes in the past, occurring every two to three years, but Monday’s tremors were more intense.
Why Is Delhi Vulnerable to Earthquakes?Delhi lies in an active seismic zone, with its proximity to fault lines and the Himalayan region making it prone to earthquakes. The seismicity in the Delhi-NCR region is linked to a major geological structure known as the Delhi-Haridwar Ridge, which extends from the Aravali Mountain belt beneath the Ganga basin to the northeast of Delhi and towards the Himalayas.
Prime Minister’s Response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded to the earthquake, urging residents to remain calm and follow safety precautions. He also advised people to stay alert for possible aftershocks in the coming days.
Surge in Online Searches
Following the earthquake, the search term ‘earthquake in Delhi’ saw a sharp spike on Google Trends, particularly around mid-morning. The majority of searches came from Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Chandigarh, with people seeking more information about the earthquake, its epicenter, and its impact.
In addition, related searches like ‘earthquake in Delhi 17 Feb’, ‘Delhi bhukamp’, and ‘epicenter’ surged as residents and curious individuals sought more details about the tremors they had experienced.
In summary, the earthquake felt stronger in Delhi due to its epicenter being located within the city. While the magnitude was moderate at 4.0, the geographical location and shallow depth made the tremors more pronounced for residents.
